tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73050279773093429672024-03-12T22:51:49.690-05:00DAPHNE SELFPen, Paper, & a KeyboardDaphne Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392433374440291972noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305027977309342967.post-47570187894911477892023-07-01T07:00:00.002-05:002023-07-28T15:41:46.473-05:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDCKPUH9D4FK4OtGWqJZV9Jtxtyh8vY2dihq6hDuJ5wc8U02JVMk_Y8bEJHyMO5tGB1aip4HpUsYA3S32_t5SYaWONUpgJQuPtzRvh64hHhehJ9CKj3FMt_9bc4GXKc7z0-U2ZcoU552cen5bXQ--lUhSz1sOdAnmnRVR_NOOK6yPTTHwdC3YrCujuaSA/s2048/343082295_1134372294619549_5947642942773812570_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1325" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDCKPUH9D4FK4OtGWqJZV9Jtxtyh8vY2dihq6hDuJ5wc8U02JVMk_Y8bEJHyMO5tGB1aip4HpUsYA3S32_t5SYaWONUpgJQuPtzRvh64hHhehJ9CKj3FMt_9bc4GXKc7z0-U2ZcoU552cen5bXQ--lUhSz1sOdAnmnRVR_NOOK6yPTTHwdC3YrCujuaSA/w259-h400/343082295_1134372294619549_5947642942773812570_n.jpg" width="259" /></a></div><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"> I'm excited! </div><div style="text-align: left;">This cover is just about perfect for the story. And I look forward to sharing the continuation of the Williams family and lives of the Enhanced.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;">What Legends Become</span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Book 2 of the Legends of Light</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Blurb:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Their blood holds the key.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It's
been almost forty years since they gained their freedom. The world has
changed: new government, new people, new threats. Global Federated
Territories had shut down the Serum-74 program, yet a faction has
survived. And now they want the descendants of Julius Williams, the
former assassin who retained the Serum-74 encoding.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Seth Williams
has only known life behind the borders of Alaska Country. When his
rebellious son and his headstrong daughter disappears, Seth must venture
out into the unknown to rescue his children before they are captured by
Intech Juliet Serum Initiative.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">With the last former Zulu assassin by his side, Seth is running out of time.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Their freedom is in jeopardy.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Their lives are endangered.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Their blood is sought.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And there is a new threat working alongside his father's former adversary.</span></div><p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><br /></p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you are interested in becoming an advanced reader, then contact me for further information.<br /></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> <br /></span></p><p> </p>Daphne Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392433374440291972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305027977309342967.post-59257222494755639302023-06-02T18:35:00.008-05:002023-07-28T15:43:15.571-05:00<p></p><br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYfWNQMAUJHFQ7RlV3xN7gBkcZFyk7_lzBX4CeWnykx4lbcwr76HJEyVlbSPTTdM_YtBnoJKghTCDDv7FRk45AdxLDOx1mQODGUs7V1HMSJK_eu7KMvIMpKVAlg0GHywHvIrhKHUMZklqVtSv6pdV8VQ8TGBcRHfYz6DoR_Ihrqa9sr8ApyzZRQJwh/s1640/Cover%20Reveal(4).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="1640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYfWNQMAUJHFQ7RlV3xN7gBkcZFyk7_lzBX4CeWnykx4lbcwr76HJEyVlbSPTTdM_YtBnoJKghTCDDv7FRk45AdxLDOx1mQODGUs7V1HMSJK_eu7KMvIMpKVAlg0GHywHvIrhKHUMZklqVtSv6pdV8VQ8TGBcRHfYz6DoR_Ihrqa9sr8ApyzZRQJwh/w640-h360/Cover%20Reveal(4).png" width="640" /></a></div>July 1, 2023 COVER REVEAL</b></span><br /><p></p><p><i>What Legends Become</i></p><p>Book 2 of the Legends of Light series</p><p>Blurb:</p><p>Their blood holds the key.</p><p>It's been almost forty years since they gained their freedom. The world has changed: new government, new people, new threats. Global Federated Territories had shut down the Serum-74 program, yet a faction has survived. And now they want the descendants of Julius Williams, the former assassin who retained the Serum-74 encoding.</p><p>Seth Williams has only known life behind the borders of Alaska Country. When his rebellious son and his headstrong daughter disappears, Seth must venture out into the unknown to rescue his children before they are captured by Intech Juliet Serum Initiative.</p><p>With the last former Zulu assassin by his side, Seth is running out of time.</p><p>Their freedom is in jeopardy.</p><p>Their lives are endangered.</p><p>Their blood is sought.</p><p>And there is a new threat working alongside his father's former adversary.</p><p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
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<![endif]--><br /></p><p>Use this link to find out where <i>When Legends Rise </i>can be purchased: </p><p><a href="https://ambassador-international.com/books/when-legends-rise/">https://ambassador-international.com/books/when-legends-rise/</a><br /><br /></p>Daphne Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392433374440291972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305027977309342967.post-21384285252233319132022-09-07T12:19:00.011-05:002023-05-19T13:27:07.901-05:00News to Announce<p>Newest news! </p><p><i>What Legends Become </i>is now with my editor! Stay tuned for a future cover reveal.</p><p>Below is a character representation chart of the protagonists. If you
haven't already, follow me on social media. I share news, tidbits, books
I've read, and a lot of other things. I would love to connect with you!</p><p>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/authordaphneself/">https://www.instagram.com/authordaphneself/</a></p><p>Discord: <a href="https://discord.gg/vSqJ59k4 ">https://discord.gg/vSqJ59k4 </a><br /></p><p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_yhMd9bpzNRVjM2i4CW9hWTJbsqH6qtkfrmdsCwEANBNnAMvHklOXa7InsJzAQT0F_MDYe7o9ESQdHVAtZTl6wUYspSULe6HFlCK8vBdQtxgc7oT7x5xhqLy1AXN0NRc6IjP0HW4ls-45Afmf-sC4a7NOkZ9R3apXThv7D8qe53AC5odzYI3h4TUe/s1080/when%20legends%20rise.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_yhMd9bpzNRVjM2i4CW9hWTJbsqH6qtkfrmdsCwEANBNnAMvHklOXa7InsJzAQT0F_MDYe7o9ESQdHVAtZTl6wUYspSULe6HFlCK8vBdQtxgc7oT7x5xhqLy1AXN0NRc6IjP0HW4ls-45Afmf-sC4a7NOkZ9R3apXThv7D8qe53AC5odzYI3h4TUe/w200-h200/when%20legends%20rise.png" width="200" /></a></p><p></p><p><br /></p><p><i>When Legends Rise</i> has won:</p><p>2nd place in the <a href="https://www.thebookfest.com/book-awards-spring-2023-second-place/17/" target="_blank">Spring 2023 BookFest Award</a> in: Fiction-Christian-Futuristic. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8B3U6r5KuMpd09q8latnQm-DSU6kFVWjJsY3ymUeT_hjIoItgiGwV22_ct3fyYSq714Jez7h1dEiiH4ojiPS21zCeoGPSZrLkjM9ifRQq_l3ST5I1kFRvstS-0ew5zMAepuXTw9WmEUABx4i3kmzZH9N0ngsg5uSTic7sFzEPGvMU9ExMt8TKtSM/s870/Screenshot%202023-05-09%20at%2013-00-14%20Book%20Awards%20-%20Spring%202023%20Second%20Place%20-%20The%20BookFest.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="870" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8B3U6r5KuMpd09q8latnQm-DSU6kFVWjJsY3ymUeT_hjIoItgiGwV22_ct3fyYSq714Jez7h1dEiiH4ojiPS21zCeoGPSZrLkjM9ifRQq_l3ST5I1kFRvstS-0ew5zMAepuXTw9WmEUABx4i3kmzZH9N0ngsg5uSTic7sFzEPGvMU9ExMt8TKtSM/w400-h146/Screenshot%202023-05-09%20at%2013-00-14%20Book%20Awards%20-%20Spring%202023%20Second%20Place%20-%20The%20BookFest.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>the 2023 <a href="https://www.speakuptalkradio.com/book-award-winners-3/" target="_blank">Firebird Book Award</a> in two categories: Christian Fiction and Speculative Fiction.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOpYIftTegnbwGjJsFq7P9WuKhgTDNyat62Trzkh7_gN0wzkm5MxrIZHyyYzRHb_FI8FvRIF_xQOhKujG5NHaSlasPefB9FUBgrq6L3pPTjyBhlMFe-Rf6r-jMeoKJUEu5H6s1wBvIln-SThAc6-uxPG7g2HfOPV48SvnjEQaoYuDODm67kacsAaD/s300/DECCERT2022-Daphne-Self-300x169.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="169" data-original-width="300" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOpYIftTegnbwGjJsFq7P9WuKhgTDNyat62Trzkh7_gN0wzkm5MxrIZHyyYzRHb_FI8FvRIF_xQOhKujG5NHaSlasPefB9FUBgrq6L3pPTjyBhlMFe-Rf6r-jMeoKJUEu5H6s1wBvIln-SThAc6-uxPG7g2HfOPV48SvnjEQaoYuDODm67kacsAaD/s1600/DECCERT2022-Daphne-Self-300x169.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxVdNBz2Q0V1yHDKkto1Xf_bmcWZ6kAN6wzoTlx7C-Iqkvu7_sWzJmd9MOz2xUC-WXJb9KF1vddhVGZHioVPk4zdnLIWFNU7r-SKwRfadDSJlwL2-Jj-rqroVRpSC_QPQmH8sfqluf1yy_aMRhXNj92mRdciSuhtkyIMBtDzB3V010r9mEY1KkQSk/s1080/received_870002550886396.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxVdNBz2Q0V1yHDKkto1Xf_bmcWZ6kAN6wzoTlx7C-Iqkvu7_sWzJmd9MOz2xUC-WXJb9KF1vddhVGZHioVPk4zdnLIWFNU7r-SKwRfadDSJlwL2-Jj-rqroVRpSC_QPQmH8sfqluf1yy_aMRhXNj92mRdciSuhtkyIMBtDzB3V010r9mEY1KkQSk/s320/received_870002550886396.webp" width="320" /></a></div> <p></p><p>I won The Windows into the Mulitverse contest in Clean Fiction Magazine. This time in the Contemporary Romance genre.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjer1yK3L4q00cqn_SVm_MHCYLt82ibxKj2ZPchffqFyxx8ZfsVwCicVPXJxxRKJFc-a2GGCax-_Hqvxlgml6g6liRmM0yur68l25-LV1crCjg3oEIO2jjTy3bx73oKo30SKoOuyBY27MVUegsnsY2iniNtq2e8drU1cELtAOMMxWiBUUULqYObQysY/s3300/winnercertificate-daphneself.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2550" data-original-width="3300" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjer1yK3L4q00cqn_SVm_MHCYLt82ibxKj2ZPchffqFyxx8ZfsVwCicVPXJxxRKJFc-a2GGCax-_Hqvxlgml6g6liRmM0yur68l25-LV1crCjg3oEIO2jjTy3bx73oKo30SKoOuyBY27MVUegsnsY2iniNtq2e8drU1cELtAOMMxWiBUUULqYObQysY/s320/winnercertificate-daphneself.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>You will be able to read "The Cherry Trees" in the winter 2022 edition of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Clean-Fiction-Amy-Lynn-McConahy-ebook/dp/B0BNLT44RM" target="_blank">Clean Fiction Magazine</a>.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmesXmUsYUtAFJS3Tymtkq5FIccc9iWIEgTzeOrL2bewa87eudzRxhB3k2JubBCNsZhT14A-_4KHSfn6bl30M4D7RbbCJvOnjKjfZuiISrtVTjTXuVXl0Ns_YCsSqx0a2x_GD-Dqt0YLrgAccg5IAixpFCCP6mh3OVYPcJ9pu6cvx4zBlVrfMXVVTY/s1080/THE.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmesXmUsYUtAFJS3Tymtkq5FIccc9iWIEgTzeOrL2bewa87eudzRxhB3k2JubBCNsZhT14A-_4KHSfn6bl30M4D7RbbCJvOnjKjfZuiISrtVTjTXuVXl0Ns_YCsSqx0a2x_GD-Dqt0YLrgAccg5IAixpFCCP6mh3OVYPcJ9pu6cvx4zBlVrfMXVVTY/s320/THE.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>On July 26, 2022, <a href="https://ambassador-international.com/books/when-legends-rise/" target="_blank"><i>When Legends Rise</i></a>, was released. This is the first science fiction novel I had written, and it will now become a trilogy (with prequel book or short story). So far it has received high remarks and garnered a few 5-star reviews.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://ambassador-international.com/books/when-legends-rise/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1325" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnjzGiG1Ad6jLU0VMPlKrMv3_AqAjCfbRpQmODkiVdeaipg-0UwvuvbPo24R20qR0GH-JGumGN06l4z9IcWuY5ck5pxx4TPOEOjx_MKTOkIR4BiPNm5o3-DnwkGgX5LXHpi_qGKRtNE1fxAGIqPNTkZhvQzOC5l_awCw7OpuBeVRpO78RzVPNSSI6/s320/275261988_492411802553192_8264947952799541299_n.jpg" width="207" /></a></div> <p></p><p>If you have read <i>When Legends Rise</i>, please leave a comment or review at one of the retailers or <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60882488-when-legends-rise" target="_blank">Goodreads </a>or <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/books/when-legends-rise-legends-of-light-book-1-by-daphne-self" target="_blank">BookBub</a>. Reviews do help!</p><p></p><p>In other news, my short story a.k.a. micro-fiction, "The Parting Glass", won the Clean Fiction Magazine Windows Into the Multiverse contest. It is featured in the Autumn 2022 edition of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Clean-Fiction-Amy-Lynn-McConahy/dp/B0BCRX76R2" target="_blank">Clean Fiction Magazine.</a></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirshSLIEPfWxZJmdXY5FIazq-Xm5UCqXdz98VnEplBRu4qGJ6mglLb1Tgm_kO96BdZHOJpp3VD7eFMRR09ijlj_eEHhgVIaSbMl30kEIsO78_o9cuI4NQS-TKCjQvIYnTjDnlvPwLPOnF8kMYhhnLip-cC61SlA3U-CDPvik55AbI2eQMYMQAHuz4M/s3300/daphneself-winnercertificate.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2550" data-original-width="3300" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirshSLIEPfWxZJmdXY5FIazq-Xm5UCqXdz98VnEplBRu4qGJ6mglLb1Tgm_kO96BdZHOJpp3VD7eFMRR09ijlj_eEHhgVIaSbMl30kEIsO78_o9cuI4NQS-TKCjQvIYnTjDnlvPwLPOnF8kMYhhnLip-cC61SlA3U-CDPvik55AbI2eQMYMQAHuz4M/s320/daphneself-winnercertificate.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> "The Parting Glass" was my first micro-fiction and I have to say, I am addicted to writing that now! It's a great way to jump-start my writing day. I guess my high school teacher, Mr. Kilpatrick, knew what he was doing when he had us do short writing exercises!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-Y9L20eCuMjuK0Ikf-rXD1ZVnx1jby_rGkzvY4K60cbZgE-N20CnY8pn8rvQqTVm-AIv_ypH6LbaMTBG4eHaabgY2Y1SaOjwIZszG6vCHK7zmOrBHxWtXplBmQ-nXP9o2snz-XVIzBGUYInBIZ5oywpyqfZosgG8mpMQySYVXWzS-8JgzCepaccy/s1080/My%20name%20in%20ambassador%20International%20Books(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-Y9L20eCuMjuK0Ikf-rXD1ZVnx1jby_rGkzvY4K60cbZgE-N20CnY8pn8rvQqTVm-AIv_ypH6LbaMTBG4eHaabgY2Y1SaOjwIZszG6vCHK7zmOrBHxWtXplBmQ-nXP9o2snz-XVIzBGUYInBIZ5oywpyqfZosgG8mpMQySYVXWzS-8JgzCepaccy/s320/My%20name%20in%20ambassador%20International%20Books(1).png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p><br /></p><br /><br />Daphne Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392433374440291972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305027977309342967.post-9924316592602207512022-03-05T13:17:00.004-06:002022-03-28T13:23:18.064-05:00Why Did I Write What I Wrote: Part II<p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Last year in August my short story, <i>The Interview of Malachi Jones</i>, was published in Ambassador International's first anthology. Along with six other authors, we explored the complexities of faith, life, and human behavior. <a href="https://ambassador-international.com/books/into-the-unknown/" target="_blank"><i>Into the Unknown: Seven Short Stories of Faith and Bravery</i></a> is a rich and exciting read that showcases the different voice of each author.</span><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnhLryDmJGXc6xNKk9qXFpUYl70ULgq6QEghw2fa5LScEI1yDPXNU6YZda-EZdHi03rEOEkQiURkkbvH27Qs2DnX7dREB7j5Xy6BBvcXsHPuHD7K7BhBrMXIfpU7KcFDZhccgKKjisgL3ZwTne9_XM7xlcBDpLNxFUbN7qzdML6GCOOI8yCcxeN75I=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1283" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnhLryDmJGXc6xNKk9qXFpUYl70ULgq6QEghw2fa5LScEI1yDPXNU6YZda-EZdHi03rEOEkQiURkkbvH27Qs2DnX7dREB7j5Xy6BBvcXsHPuHD7K7BhBrMXIfpU7KcFDZhccgKKjisgL3ZwTne9_XM7xlcBDpLNxFUbN7qzdML6GCOOI8yCcxeN75I=s320" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: medium;">My story was one that I had begun about twenty years ago as part of a college literary project. I set it aside afterwards as life took its turn. Yet when the idea of spearheading an anthology came about, I decided that Malachi's story would be perfect. Why?</span></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">If you were faced with a choice, one that pushed the limits to your faith and presented a scenario that was practically a no-win no matter what was decided, how would you behave? The Bible is black-and-white. Sin is sin. Yet life is gray. Life doesn't follow the faith we have in God's Word. So I presented a situation in which my character has to face the darkest parts of himself. And then show how Malachi reacts and learns from what happens.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaznGEukovrx5bcKgORyuebyHjat-U3r5cRYAYRtlPafkIbEvSprk2Oka1my4SwE8ljMsJcbdj2fGrWFFApRexmlH4bGqgqvbGK8XqLSx48OhssfvBybhQzMAn3JpDRXgiT0BIA4U7kaJLBjrVdu1TFVLhGQSwUvVw-J7x88jGEYs4CHt4I-DMHdyY=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaznGEukovrx5bcKgORyuebyHjat-U3r5cRYAYRtlPafkIbEvSprk2Oka1my4SwE8ljMsJcbdj2fGrWFFApRexmlH4bGqgqvbGK8XqLSx48OhssfvBybhQzMAn3JpDRXgiT0BIA4U7kaJLBjrVdu1TFVLhGQSwUvVw-J7x88jGEYs4CHt4I-DMHdyY=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">After the publication of <i>Into the Unknown</i>, I thought about a story I had written back in the early 1990s. I had submitted and had been rejected by Tor, Ace, and Baen. So I shelved it, so to speak.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">So in January, I pulled it back out. I had written and changed it a bit at a time since 2012. Taking it from mainstream science fiction to Christian science fiction. I worked and worked on it. Yet the core theme remained: the redemption of an assassin.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">I wanted to show that no matter what had been done to someone or what someone has committed, no matter how atrocious, Christ is right there for that person. I had a character was was taken at an early age, genetically altered, conditioned, enslaved, and trained to be the perfect killing machine. Yet God's design is always much stronger than man's design. In <i>When Legends Rise</i>, I explored the deep facets of human nature, personalities, and above all the grace that Jesus gives to all.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">I'm excited for <a href="https://www.amazon.com/When-Legends-Rise-Daphne-Self/dp/1649603487" target="_blank"><i>When Legends Rise</i></a>, which releases in July 2022. These characters that I created seem so real to me and I love to be able to have others know about them, too. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Jt62XdWklhoLc3DylFD5t6iPT1baf7fztuwKHcAFCzRnvxDskaSVaOnL-dzpGLFFHRuKFNlm8IESSIHb4DpcbUmQJf7DIDnLYL_el1P5KRUKHQOgDwR5AyiJ60Erp5nDS_i0yh_QWOeSXaLeYrlHUtqvZev2AsNDHBLqmDJuIdPz1t8onRG9o2a2/s2048/275261988_492411802553192_8264947952799541299_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1325" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Jt62XdWklhoLc3DylFD5t6iPT1baf7fztuwKHcAFCzRnvxDskaSVaOnL-dzpGLFFHRuKFNlm8IESSIHb4DpcbUmQJf7DIDnLYL_el1P5KRUKHQOgDwR5AyiJ60Erp5nDS_i0yh_QWOeSXaLeYrlHUtqvZev2AsNDHBLqmDJuIdPz1t8onRG9o2a2/s320/275261988_492411802553192_8264947952799541299_n.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhN8uykLwBcWIZTJtXrL1DAdquq7s3AtqIpYzqjp1KQXPstxcVmle2vqp309xVQ7wcCLnfJX0wYYZZyhvXwVNkmGPJraM2rN9VLjo8hm46pPPE_sQymeuLgIzooXrwi8xib8NIJ_TH9vymvoKuDztVT3uQ4NslGLe7D4pYTz32oTlsqsuLBkqA_ll2I=s1080" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhN8uykLwBcWIZTJtXrL1DAdquq7s3AtqIpYzqjp1KQXPstxcVmle2vqp309xVQ7wcCLnfJX0wYYZZyhvXwVNkmGPJraM2rN9VLjo8hm46pPPE_sQymeuLgIzooXrwi8xib8NIJ_TH9vymvoKuDztVT3uQ4NslGLe7D4pYTz32oTlsqsuLBkqA_ll2I=s320" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"> If you enjoy science fiction, I hope you read <i>Into the Unknown</i> and <i>When Legends Rise</i>. I am working on other stories as well. To stay updated, consider joining my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/daphneselfsreadersgroup" target="_blank">Facebook readers group</a> and follow me on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/authordaphneself/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>. </span><br /> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /> </span> <br /></p>Daphne Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392433374440291972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305027977309342967.post-19867115007358848042021-02-16T11:15:00.002-06:002021-02-16T11:15:53.343-06:00<p> </p><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Why Did I Write What I Wrote?</span></h3>
<p>One question that is always asked of me: “How did you come up with your book?”</p>
<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://ambassador-international.com/books/mississippi-nights/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="405" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KeIKbGUxk6A/UI8CmgNfKTI/AAAAAAAABcQ/ei9AFxHE8ZsOg8fJI_ipxYtF-D4yEEfdACPcBGAYYCw/s320/MN_Cover_web.jpg" /></a></div>Well, it is simple and complex. Like the helix shape of a DNA strand
that holds four proteins in an infinite combination, my ideas are a lot
like that. My first book, <em>Mississippi Nights</em>, started off as a book from my childhood. I wrote <em>One Big Happy Family</em>
when I was about 16. It was buried and put aside for so many, many
years. And after the line-of-duty death of my husband in 2005, the idea
of resurrecting that novel percolated for some time. Finally in 2010, I
took the story, revamped it, and drew from life to create a story about
the prodigal son who returns home to family. It wasn’t just his story,
but a story about his brother, a family friend, and a little girl. <em>Mississippi Nights</em> brought to life the story of alcoholism and how a person can fall into that addiction.<br /><p></p>
<p>After that book was published, I started thinking: “What if someone
saw death, hurt, and sorrow on a daily basis? What if that person didn’t
have Jesus to lean upon? What would he do?”</p>
<p>And that’s how <em>Alabama Days</em> was born. While <em>Mississippi Nights</em> dealt with alcoholism, <em>Alabama Days</em> dealt with drug abuse, and in this case, prescription drug abuse.</p>
<p>Yet it was much deeper than that. What if the person was a really
good guy? He was likable, generous, loving, yet he lacked that one
relationship that would bring him peace. If he were someone who did what
was right, no matter what, what would happen if he committed a wrong
act only to find that his wrong act saved the life of another?</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://ambassador-international.com/books/alabama-days/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1282" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/---23t7omY5Y/YCv9J7BzL8I/AAAAAAAAJS4/CQ72wALAqe4_7qRfv2xi9fFl-JHn2I4ugCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/updatedcoverAD.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p>I had so many ethnical questions thrown at my characters. How would a
Christian and a non-Christian react to certain circumstances. Because
life isn’t always clear-cut, yet the Bible is, I wanted to show the
messiness of being human.</p>
<p>We know that as Christians, we all fall short. We all sin at times.
The difference is that when we sin, we know we can receive forgiveness
and “Go and sin no more.” But how would a person who ran from God think?
How would I react if I were like him?</p>
<p>Writers play around with what-ifs. We see the many facets of
humanity. And that’s how our stories are born. And why we write what we
do. For me, I want to show the many sides of human nature and behaviour
and show that in all things, Jesus is the answer. Jesus is there for us
all.</p>
<p>So, why do I write what I do? To bring glory to His Name and hope that through my words, people will come (or return) to Christ.</p>Daphne Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392433374440291972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305027977309342967.post-21718198102862758082020-04-01T13:55:00.008-05:002021-03-08T15:28:52.336-06:00<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://ambassador-international.com/books/journey-on/" target="_blank"><i><b>Journey On: Through This Shadowed Valley</b></i></a> (November 2020)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QKHOtd1AkXk/X6mQlnGAhqI/AAAAAAAAJIM/wQVFXpUlz3YkmDXiuTGIXfrg73fp-af9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/1599341574.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1164" data-original-width="2048" height="270" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QKHOtd1AkXk/X6mQlnGAhqI/AAAAAAAAJIM/wQVFXpUlz3YkmDXiuTGIXfrg73fp-af9wCLcBGAsYHQ/w474-h270/1599341574.png" width="474" /></a></div></span><br />
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">Chronic illness, chronic chaos...</span><br />
<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">We all have a valley to walk in our lifetime, yet what if that shadowed valley never ends?</span><br />
<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">Living with a chronic condition--be it chronic pain, fibromyalgia, CRPS, Lyme, MS, lupus, RA, or any other--forces us into a new normal. What do we do when our illness steals so much from us?</span><br />
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">This is the question I posed to an online fellowship group. In response, I received 29 verses to help guide me through my "low time".</span><br />
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><i>Journey On</i> is my journal, my journey. It chronicles my ups and downs, my doubts, my praises, and my dreams. I'm giving you--my readers--an inside look at being newly diagnosed with a chronic condition and chronic pain. It's my hope that you find that you aren't alone in the fight as you read my words and the words of six other people who have learned to live with their chronic conditions.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">Our illness may be a thief, but we can still live life to its fullest!</span><br />
<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">I invite you to travel with me in <i>Journey On: Through This Shadowed Valley</i>. Together we thrive!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">Praise for J<i>ourney On: Through This Shadowed Valley</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">"The blunt honesty that Daphne reveals as she struggles with fibromyalgia provides hope to those who deal with lifelong chronic pain. Her relationship with Jesus during the worst of times shows through our weakness Jesus shows his strength. If we lay our sorrows before Christ He will life them from our shoulders just as He promised when He said 'My yoke is easy and My burden is light' (Matthew 11:30). Daphne's journey gives hope to those who believe they have no hope and that hope is found in Jesus."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ann-Allen/e/B00K1HQP5G" target="_blank">Ann Allen</a>, author of Out of Darkness</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">"<i>Journey On: Through This Shadowed Valley</i> by Daphne Self paints a picture of chronic illness. The book's daily descriptions of pain and loss are woven into the author's strong faith, which sees her through the valleys of her disease. The book will help others who have chronic illnesses feel less alone as it educates all to the depth of suffering and daily struggles of those with chronic diseases."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.gailpallotta.com/" target="_blank">Gail Pallotta</a>, a Reader's Favorite Award Winner and TopShelf 2020 Nominee</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">"Daphne Self's <i>Journey On: Through This Shadowed Valley</i> is an illuminating account of the daily struggles faced by fibromyalgia and chronic pain patients. The author finds consolation in her Christian faith, but this is a must-read for anyone with FMS who feels lost, confused and alone; or for their family members or friends. Helpful references are included where to seek more information. Fibromyalgia is a genuine disease, which recent evidence is confirming, and this 'real and raw' book reveals its devastating effects on the sufferer."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">Ronda L. Wells, M.D.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">Available at:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://ambassador-international.com/books/journey-on/" target="_blank"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">Ambassador International</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Journey-Through-This-Shadowed-Valley/dp/162020732X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=journey+on+daphne+self&qid=1601237128&sr=8-2&linkCode=sl1&tag=ambassadorint-20&linkId=10b6e7c2aa9179ba02a3e147509682a7&language=en_US" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/journey-on-daphne-self/1138117001?ean=9781620207321" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/journey-on-through-this-shadowed-valley/id1539486134?id=1539486134&ign-itsct=books_toolbox&ign-itscg=30200" target="_blank">iTunes</a> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.christianbook.com/journey-on-through-this-shadowed-valley/daphne-self/9781620207321/pd/207324?product_redirect=1&search_term=Journey%20On:%20Through%20This&Ntt=207324&item_code=&ps_exit=PRODUCT&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP" target="_blank">Christianbook </a><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><i></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>Alabama Days: A Southern Saga</i></b> (June 16, 2020)</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DplRi0Ek4_4/XqSMzbovIQI/AAAAAAAAIJk/bUJnUaQouA8mjl9mOJwcpMdTv1joKTlmQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/AD3Dcover.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1186" data-original-width="1540" height="307" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DplRi0Ek4_4/XqSMzbovIQI/AAAAAAAAIJk/bUJnUaQouA8mjl9mOJwcpMdTv1joKTlmQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/AD3Dcover.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">How could a loving God hurt so many people?</span><br />
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">Paramedic Scott Wilson believes he can chase death away, but his spirit is shattered when people he loves are taken from him. As a paramedic, Scott see every day the pain that people suffer, and he wants no part of a God that would allow bad things to happen to good people. As a result, he hides behind his work and addiction to ease the pain within his soul.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">But once newspaper reporter Angela Mabry, and her son, Max, move into town, Scott can't help but notice the feisty redhead. Angela is determined to uncover the town's seedy underbelly and reveal the strange coincidences of so many car accidents at one location.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">When a prominent city official dies in a car wreck, Scott and Angela find themselves entangled in a web of intrigue and deception.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">Together they search for the truth and discover that not all is what it seems.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><b>Praise for <i>Alabama Days</i>:</b></span></div>
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">"<i>Alabama Days</i> carries the reader through intrigue, danger, and romance. With writing that sparkles, characters that come alive, and relationships develop, both socially and spiritually. Who is to be trusted? What are the consequences of stealing an unknown medication, of finding a flash drive that someone wants destroyed? These mysteries will keep you in Alabama till all is resolved."</span></div>
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">~<a href="https://eleanorgustafson.com/" target="_blank">Eleanor Gustafson, author of<i> An Unpresentable Glory</i> and <i>Dynamo</i></a></span></div>
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">"Daphne takes small-town intrigue, tosses in romance and a strong thread of redemption, and creates a story romantic suspense readers will thoroughly enjoy. A definite heart-warming--and pulse-pounding--read."</span></div>
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">~<a href="http://www.susanltuttle.com/" target="_blank">Susan Tuttle, author of <i>At First Glance</i></a></span></div>
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">"A compelling story of small-town corruption and unstoppable romance. <i>Alabama Days</i> entertains while also presenting readers with the hope of the Gospel."</span></div>
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">~<a href="https://www.heathernormansmith.com/" target="_blank">Heather Norman Smith, author of <i>Grace & Lavender</i></a></span></div>
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">"Blockbuster action and a heartwarming story filled with characters who are realistic and well crafted. Recommend Daphne Self for a story that last beyond 'The End'."</span></div>
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">~<a href="https://lucythompsonauthor.com/" target="_blank">Lucy Thompson, author of <i>Mail Order Surprise</i>, <i>A Cowboy's Dare</i>, and "Waltzing Matilda" of <i>The Captive Brides Collection</i></a></span></div>
<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><i></i><u><span style="color: #000120;"></span></u><br /></span><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">Available at: </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Alabama-Days-Daphne-Self/dp/1620207125" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.christianbook.com/2-alabama-days-a-southern-saga/daphne-self/9781620207123/pd/207125" target="_blank">Christianbook</a> </span><br /><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><span><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/alabama-days-daphne-self/1136957218?ean=9781620207123" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><span><a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/alabama-days-a-southern-saga/id1513654171?mt=11&app=itunes&at=11l9n4" target="_blank">iTunes</a></span><br /></span>
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>The Adventures of Wilhelmina: The Case of the Missing Firehouse Dog</i></b> (Ambassador International March 2019)</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I8ghLNt3cRw/Xpo5J49agNI/AAAAAAAAIEM/RZNEqkz74WMY6hnL8C-tFmn71-lEUz2kACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/firehousedog3d.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="968" data-original-width="1600" height="241" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I8ghLNt3cRw/Xpo5J49agNI/AAAAAAAAIEM/RZNEqkz74WMY6hnL8C-tFmn71-lEUz2kACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/firehousedog3d.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">Majesty, the firehouse dog, is missing.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">Willie and Jax are on the case to discover who is the dognapping culprit. Could it be their neighbor, Mr. Applebee? Or maybe it is Ms. Thornton?</span><br />
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">Join the Pintail Duo, Wilhelmina van der Coup and Jackson Barnaby, as they follow the clues to rescue Majesty in The Case of the Missing Firehouse Dog.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://ambassador-international.com/book-author/daphne-self/" target="_blank">Purchase now</a></span><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"> through online retailers or your local bookstores.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><b>Praise for <i>The Case of the Missing Firehouse Dog</i>:</b></span></div>
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">"Love <i>The Case of the Missing Firehouse Dog</i>! Delightful!"</span></div>
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">~<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009934728109" target="_blank">John Kilpatrick</a>, retired South Panola high school English teacher</span></div>
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">"A lovely children's book about a wonderful character named Wilhelmina! A child detective who loves mysteries. If your child enjoys investigating dilemmas around your house, your child will love this entertaining book!! A must buy (or read) children's book."</span></div>
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">~<a href="https://www.facebook.com/anita.h.smith?ref=br_rs" target="_blank">Anita Holland Smith</a>, third grade teacher for 32 years</span></div>
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">"Look out, <i>Encyclopedia Brown</i>! Here comes Willie and Jax, ready to solve your neighborhood crime--no matter how big or small! This delightful book will have your children giggling and sleuthing as Willie and Jax, a.k.a. the Pintail Duo, solve the case of the missing firefighter dog. Daphne Self also beautifully weaves the truth of God's Word into the lessons learned by the two young detectives, reminding children that God's commands are just as real and necessary for us today. Well done, Daphne!"</span></div>
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">~<a href="https://katiecruicesmith.com/" target="_blank">Katie Cruice Smith, author of <i>Why Did You Choose Me?</i></a></span></div>
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">"Kids will relate to the humorous tale of friends, amateur sleuths, as they try to find the dognapper. Surprise ending! I highly recommend this book."</span></div>
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">~<a href="https://lindarondeau.com/" target="_blank">Linda Wood Rondeau, author of <i>The Fifteenth Article</i> and <i>Miracle of Maple Street</i></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">Available at:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://ambassador-international.com/books/the-case-of-the-missing-firehouse-dog/" target="_blank">Ambassador International</a><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Case-Missing-Firehouse-Dog/dp/1620208415/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1542428103&sr=8-3&keywords=the+case+of+the+missing+firehouse+dog" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-case-of-the-missing-firehouse-dog-daphne-self/1129903557?ean=9781620208410" target="_blank"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">Barnes & Noble</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.christianbook.com/the-case-the-missing-firehouse-dog/daphne-self/9781620208410/pd/0208410?event=ESRCG" target="_blank"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">Christianbook</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-case-of-the-missing-firehouse-dog/id1451455083?mt=11&app=itunes&id=1451455083" target="_blank"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">iTunes</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://ebooks.faithlife.com/product/174787/the-case-of-the-missing-firehouse-dog" target="_blank">Vyrso</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.kobo.com/nl/en/ebook/the-case-of-the-missing-firehouse-dog?utm_source=walmarthybrid&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=Ambassador+International&utm_term=&ranMID=37217&ranEAID=*OHbh%2FPCJCc&ranSiteID=.OHbh_PCJCc-ibEE6HOBvUwttKdzE69uww&siteID=.OHbh_PCJCc-ibEE6HOBvUwttKdzE69uww" target="_blank">Kobo </a><i><br /></i></span></div>
<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><i></i><u><span style="color: #000120;"></span></u></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">______________________________________________________</span><br />
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>30 Days: A Devotional Memoir</i></b> (Ambassador International 2013)</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tgmzmRtWRaM/Xpo5CTZ_s8I/AAAAAAAAIEI/HbvZU2RyZ00myOnNrktxErlccqU2HkMqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/30Days3D.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="1600" height="270" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tgmzmRtWRaM/Xpo5CTZ_s8I/AAAAAAAAIEI/HbvZU2RyZ00myOnNrktxErlccqU2HkMqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/30Days3D.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">Do you desire to no longer be alone? Do you yearn for understanding and hope? Do you wish for a closer walk with Jesus?</span><br />
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">When a relationship ends, whether through divorce or death, it leaves us with heartache and sadness. Fear of loneliness overwhelms our soul. Anger at God consumes us. We are suddenly thrust into unknown territory, lost and bewildered.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">Psalm 147:3 "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds." <i>30 Days: A Devotional Memoir</i> brings our deeply moving stories to strengthen your walk and bring you closer to Christ. Author D.M. Webb shares her three year spiritual journey with a collection of thirty devotions designed to reach out and uplift those who have endured the turbulent emotions that come with divorce, widowhood, and single parenting. Reach out, place your hand in His, and begin your journey today.</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">Available at: </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://ambassador-international.com/books/30-days/" target="_blank"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">Ambassador International</span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/30-Days-A-Devotional-Memoir-ebook/dp/B00G06LZC0" target="_blank"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">Amazon</span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://ebooks.faithlife.com/product/38608/30-days-a-devotional-memoir" target="_blank"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">Vysro</span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/30-days-3?utm_source=walmarthybrid&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=Ambassador+International&utm_term=&ranMID=37217&ranEAID=*OHbh%2FPCJCc&ranSiteID=.OHbh_PCJCc-SOh7cJkcvsAzS3VtUbv_9w&siteID=.OHbh_PCJCc-SOh7cJkcvsAzS3VtUbv_9w" target="_blank"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">Kobo</span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/30-days/id736202108?ign-mpt=uo%3D4" target="_blank">iTunes </a><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"> </span><br />
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>Mississippi Nights: A Southern Saga</i></b> (January 2012)</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RMsMy8I2Ab0/Xpo5R_3ocMI/AAAAAAAAIEQ/jradQwsqA7kMPIG4DeAOnBD3L_hDsosNgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/MississippiNights3D.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="1600" height="270" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RMsMy8I2Ab0/Xpo5R_3ocMI/AAAAAAAAIEQ/jradQwsqA7kMPIG4DeAOnBD3L_hDsosNgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/MississippiNights3D.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">Two brothers, one death--the bond of brotherhood faces its greatest challenge against resentment and guilt.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">Can the love between two brothers eventually win against pain and guilt? When firefighter David Boyette's fiance perishes in a car fire, he blames his brother, Sgt. Jeremy Boyette, for her death. Three years later, David returns home with a dark and devastating secret. With the help of family, a woman's love, and a small child's devotion, can David overcome insurmountable odds as he and Jeremy face the bitterness that enslaves him?</span><br />
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">Together the brothers must decide if the bond of brotherhood is stronger than resentment and hate.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://ambassador-international.com/book-author/d-m-webb/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Purchase now</span> </a>at online retailers or your local bookstores.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">Available at:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://ambassador-international.com/books/mississippi-nights/" target="_blank"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">Ambassador International</span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mississippi-Nights-D-M-Webb/dp/1935507915/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=" target="_blank"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">Amazon</span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://ebooks.faithlife.com/product/19052/mississippi-nights" target="_blank"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">Vysro</span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/mississippi-nights/id573631174?ign-mpt=uo%3D4" target="_blank"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">iTunes </span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.christianbook.com/mississippi-nights-ebook-d-m-webb/9781935507949/pd/36662EB?event=ESRCG" target="_blank"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">Christianbook </span></a><br />
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Daphne Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392433374440291972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305027977309342967.post-74079922689099464682019-01-16T12:40:00.001-06:002019-01-16T12:40:48.695-06:00When You Write for One<span style="font-size: large;">As a Christian author you are more than just an author who is a Christian, you are a Christian who writes. And as a Christian our number one goal is to honor Christ in all things.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oOVrh3A8eiU/TGR1srIassI/AAAAAAAABcE/-MxGqvtaSc8ijbA7fgsmU0jg8fxz3oJ_QCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/freedom-writer---pen-and-paper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oOVrh3A8eiU/TGR1srIassI/AAAAAAAABcE/-MxGqvtaSc8ijbA7fgsmU0jg8fxz3oJ_QCPcBGAYYCw/s320/freedom-writer---pen-and-paper.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">By all things I mean: words, language, scenes, message, and tone. The world has a way of encroaching into ours lives and we must be ever diligent.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">One way that the world sinks its talons into us is by making money the number one goal. Yes, making money is a plus. Money must be made to ensure a successful business and to build a profitable future; but when we make money our goal, we lose.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are authors who rake in the royalties and hit the bestsellers list--and that's quite nice--but that's a rarity. Being an author is not always profitable, but you can make it rewarding.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Write for Christ. Give in love. Choose to help others.</span><br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4o0rMN98y1M/XD93F365OjI/AAAAAAAADfs/YTvGKGJJtzcAea7jbLIgKMHnxzppxlpcwCKgBGAs/s1600/9781620209158-197x306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">What I mean by "give in love" and "choose to help others" is this: choose a charity--one that will honor Christ--and vow to donate a percentage to that charity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here are two examples:<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4o0rMN98y1M/XD93F365OjI/AAAAAAAADfs/YTvGKGJJtzcAea7jbLIgKMHnxzppxlpcwCKgBGAs/s1600/9781620209158-197x306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="306" data-original-width="197" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4o0rMN98y1M/XD93F365OjI/AAAAAAAADfs/YTvGKGJJtzcAea7jbLIgKMHnxzppxlpcwCKgBGAs/s200/9781620209158-197x306.jpg" width="128" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.chadpettit.net/" target="_blank">Chad Pettit</a>, author of <i>Fate of the Watchman</i> and upcoming book <i>Fate of the Redeemed</i>, has vowed to give fifty percent (50%) of his royalties from <i><b>Fate of the Watchman</b></i> to Voice of the Martyrs. VoM is a Christian organization who helps the persecuted and shares the Gospel worldwide, no matter how dangerous.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t5eigqlzUXA/XD95ysXdUvI/AAAAAAAADgA/8IM-gtDrjnAeGI7RXh4ntHDQCbEvat2xgCLcBGAs/s1600/icommit1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="352" data-original-width="480" height="146" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t5eigqlzUXA/XD95ysXdUvI/AAAAAAAADgA/8IM-gtDrjnAeGI7RXh4ntHDQCbEvat2xgCLcBGAs/s200/icommit1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's done for God's Glory.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x0l8AxaSH2Q/W_hSdyUoEZI/AAAAAAAADJQ/oFuu6VgWVjUOH-hdg_KooBCr0TSbHZ6dgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/WilhelminaCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1078" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x0l8AxaSH2Q/W_hSdyUoEZI/AAAAAAAADJQ/oFuu6VgWVjUOH-hdg_KooBCr0TSbHZ6dgCPcBGAYYCw/s200/WilhelminaCover.jpg" width="134" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://authordaphneself.blogspot.com/p/whats-in-print.html" target="_blank">Daphne Self</a> (me), author of <i>The Adventures of Wilhelmina: The Case of the Missing Firehouse Dog</i>, has vowed to donate thirty percent (30%) of her royalties from <i>The Adventures of Wilhelmina</i> series to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and other various children's hospitals. St. Jude is a hospital that helps children worldwide battle and treat cancer--no matter race, social status, religion, or ethnicity. Even if the parents cannot pay, they are there to help in many ways.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D2hl6yFC-Tw/XD947r8vRFI/AAAAAAAADf4/dI2Wl6vDzGEG6g0uVFbHcY9yGLb7r-KnQCLcBGAs/s1600/stjude2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="970" height="102" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D2hl6yFC-Tw/XD947r8vRFI/AAAAAAAADf4/dI2Wl6vDzGEG6g0uVFbHcY9yGLb7r-KnQCLcBGAs/s400/stjude2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It's done for God's Glory. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When an author decides to put God first and chooses to help, then he/she is successful. Success isn't measured in money--it's measured by love. Your book will be the one to reach those who needed to hear and read that message. Your book has a purpose.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So I challenge you:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<ul><span style="font-size: large;">
<li>Write for Christ, your Audience of One</li>
<li>Choose a charity to support (just make sure that charity aligns with God's word)</li>
</span></ul>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Trust me, when you put Jesus first in all things, amazing things will happen.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here are some links to some charities and Christian organizations<span id="goog_1676901870"></span><span id="goog_1676901871"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a>:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.persecution.com/" target="_blank">Voice of the Martyrs</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.stjude.org/about-st-jude.html?sc_dcm=202024986&sc_cid=kwp70517&source_code=IIQ181010008&s_kwcid=AL!4519!10!78958758536774!78958799610594&ef_id=XDj8IAAAAFQUpFUc:20190116181117:s" target="_blank">St. Jude Children's Research Hospital</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span id="goog_1676901849"></span><span id="goog_1676901850"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><a href="https://www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/christian-charity/?utm_source=Bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=m_YYCR-B19V_BingSP-christian-char-lp&msclkid=e7869ea245bf1d82770dc29d3647d1bf&utm_term=samaritan's%20purse&utm_content=SP%20brand" target="_blank">Samaritan's Purse</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.lwf.org/" target="_blank">Love Worth Finding</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.intouch.org/" target="_blank">In Touch Ministries</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.gideons.org/" target="_blank">Gideons International</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.afa.net/" target="_blank">American Family Association</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.air1.com/" target="_blank">Air1 Radio</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.klove.com/" target="_blank">KLove Radio</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://pureflixstudio.com/movie-ministry/?cbg_tz=360" target="_blank">Pure Flix</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span>Daphne Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392433374440291972noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305027977309342967.post-41616309420819763712018-08-06T14:56:00.000-05:002018-08-06T15:07:48.140-05:00John 16:33<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X2r93mmNWTk/W2ihAXP_baI/AAAAAAAADA8/zPjNXxqaQXgftkuMV87QeRCtGGIOcormQCLcBGAs/s1600/John%2B16_33.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X2r93mmNWTk/W2ihAXP_baI/AAAAAAAADA8/zPjNXxqaQXgftkuMV87QeRCtGGIOcormQCLcBGAs/s400/John%2B16_33.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
John 16:33 is a verse that many people turn to for comfort and to fortify their soul.<br />
Just recently though, I found a newer meaning to this verse. It wasn't a verse I sought; it wasn't a verse that I was led to; it wasn't a verse that was sent to me.<br />
<br />
It was only after what happened that I found this verse and a new meaning came to me. Read the last part: "I have overcome the world." The world.... not a country, not the sea, not even people. But the World. And the world isn't just the planet. It is everything within it. The World.<br />
<br />
How is that possible? It is possible because of who Jesus is. I didn't say "who Jesus was". I said "who Jesus is". He is alive!<br />
<br />
Back to the verse and its new meaning. It started when I came across a band I used to listen to. I enjoyed this band. Not all of the songs, because being a hard rock, secular band there were some with explicit lyrics. Then there were the ones that I listened to and this was during a time of extreme emotional distress. I was alone. Not physically, but emotionally and spiritually (in my belief, that is).<br />
<br />
I was a 31-year-old widow. Lost my husband in the line-of-duty and then two months later my father died in my arms from a massive heart attack. I had failed to save him. During this time, my mother and I grew apart. Grief will do that when there are no mentors or others there to help someone through the grief. We were alone. Our church wasn't there with us. Our extended family left us. And I struggled to balance work, raising two young sons, and dealing with all that was spiraling around me. I could not allow myself to break or fall.<br />
<br />
Looking back it came to no surprise that I was attracted to the songs by Godsmack. They were angry. They were hard. But they were poetic and lyrical. The raspy smoothness of the lead singer caused me to gravitate to their music. I felt soothed. And it drove me down a path that led to more heartache, more helplessness, and destitution. It took years to pull myself away from all that. To pull myself away from that music.<br />
<br />
Fast forward to last week, I came across their YouTube channel. One of those flukes in advertising while watching another video. New song? Really? New album? Interesting. Out of curiosity I clicked on it. Two songs in and I was captivated, again. But the song that spoke to me was "When Legends Rise".<br />
<br />
For days that song played in my head. No other song could drown it out. No other song could erase the melody and words from my mind. I would wake up and in my head that song played. I would read the Bible and in my head that song played.<br />
<br />
I could not travel that dark road again. And Godsmack would lead me down it. That is the dark part of me that is drawn to that style of music. And I wanted it. But I didn't desire it!<br />
<br />
Even after asking people for something that was like Godsmack, there wasn't anything out there remotely similar that would erase them from my mind....until one sponsored Facebook post did. And I followed the link and watched the video. And now I have a new song in my head. And relief has been found.<br />
<br />
So how does this tie in with the verse? The power of Jesus. He overcame the world. And all we have to do is seek Him. All we have to do is cry out, "Just give me Jesus!".<br />
<br />
And that is what the song by Unspoken has done. Their song "Just Give Me Jesus" shows the power in Jesus' name. He erased a song from my head and replaced it with something that glorifies Him. He took a temptation and gave me freedom. He took the darkness and the anger and gave me light and happiness.<br />
<br />
He has overcame the world, even if that world is inside someone's head. We matter to Him. And nothing is too small for Him and nothing is too large. We just need to cry out and say, "Just give me Jesus".<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SkHHcGEf4Fk/W2imkJGezCI/AAAAAAAADBI/B6AG2lIj76sqwB2LMMr4ZFwX5Xyl0jvbwCLcBGAs/s1600/35151745_10157921070003849_4022513412763287552_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SkHHcGEf4Fk/W2imkJGezCI/AAAAAAAADBI/B6AG2lIj76sqwB2LMMr4ZFwX5Xyl0jvbwCLcBGAs/s320/35151745_10157921070003849_4022513412763287552_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/unspokenmusic/videos/10158072521213849/" target="_blank">Just Give Me Jesus</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/unspokenmusic/videos/10158072521213849/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/unspokenmusic</a>Daphne Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392433374440291972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305027977309342967.post-20535566894114887702018-07-03T11:57:00.000-05:002018-07-03T11:57:14.205-05:00Infallible God vs. fallible me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bujS2wxhGX8/WzuqV1WfmGI/AAAAAAAAC-Q/NklHxsjJygU5CDRj8_vzNjDd5w8VROmfgCLcBGAs/s1600/mark439meme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bujS2wxhGX8/WzuqV1WfmGI/AAAAAAAAC-Q/NklHxsjJygU5CDRj8_vzNjDd5w8VROmfgCLcBGAs/s320/mark439meme.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Are you like me?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Do you have financial difficulties that leave you stressed to the point of breaking?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">People say they pray for you and send Bible verses to help you. Do any of these seem familiar? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Matthew 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? </span>(NJKV)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all<i> you</i> who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." </span>(NKJV)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 Peter 5:7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. </span>(NKJV)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Are you like me?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Do you fight against illness and depression?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">People say they pray for you and send Bible verses to help you. Do any of these look familiar?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Deuteronomy 31:8 "And the LORD, He<i> is</i> the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed." </span>(NKJV)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Psalm 34:17<i> The righteous</i> cry out, and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of their troubles. </span>(NKJV)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds. </span>(NKJV)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Are you like me?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Do you find yourself in the midst of loneliness? Do you long for friendship and fellowship?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">People say they pray for you and send you Bible verses to help you. Do any of these seem familiar?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Psalm 16:8 I have set the LORD always before me; Because<i> He is</i> at my right hand I shall not be moved. </span>(NKJV)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I<i> am</i> with you; Be not dismayed, for I<i> am</i> your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. </span>(NKJV)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Matthew 28:20b "...and lo, I am with you always,<i> even</i> to the end of the age." Amen. </span>(NKJV)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Are you like me?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Are you a fallible human trusting in the Infallible God?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Proverbs 3:5 says "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding". </span>(NKJV)<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Psalm 73:26 reminds us that our flesh and our hearts fail, but God is the strength of our hearts, and is with us forever.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It is hard to trust and to keep going when we cannot see the end of our troubles. But God, in His infinite wisdom, has a plan for our victories and trials. We do not see or understand them, but they will be used to glorify His name and bring others to Christ.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We must remain steadfast in our faith.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Hebrews 10:23 "Let us hold fast the confession of<i> our</i> hope without wavering, for He who promised<i> is</i> faithful."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Things may look bleak, but we are not alone.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Our Perfect God loves His imperfect children.</span>Daphne Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392433374440291972noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305027977309342967.post-79472792252401597722018-03-29T21:25:00.000-05:002018-04-16T11:40:04.370-05:00Websites/Organizations/Social Media III<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HymHG1-sl1s/UT9jNTHLjII/AAAAAAAABcM/-W0yK8wQIBU1Z5KCvd5KS-BEiEGuu7-BACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/mark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HymHG1-sl1s/UT9jNTHLjII/AAAAAAAABcM/-W0yK8wQIBU1Z5KCvd5KS-BEiEGuu7-BACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/mark.jpg" /></a></div>
When we say "social media" we normally don't think about online organizations. Social media is any form of connection between individuals using a technological medium.<br />
<br />
One of the best moves I've made in my writing career was to join an organization, a Christian organization, dedicated to improving my skills at writing, marketing, branding, platforming, etc. The benefits outweighed the cost of membership. <br />
<br />
From online connections with other authors to Facebook groups where ideas and research can be shared, there are also the benefits of critique groups, mentors, and man other marketing opportunities. In all, the benefits are numerous.<br />
<br />
But is reciprocal to the time and energy you invest.<br />
<br />
Listed below are some Christian organizations that are considered greatly beneficial to all authors, regardless if you are a newbie or a seasoned writer.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW)</li>
</ul>
<div>
~ <a href="http://acfw.com/" target="_blank">acfw.com</a> ~</div>
<div>
Membership is $65 initially, $45 annually thereafter</div>
<div>
Renewal levels are: Basic $45</div>
<div>
Bronze $70</div>
<div>
Silver $85</div>
<div>
Gold $10</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li>Christian Authors Network (CAN)</li>
</ul>
<div>
~ <a href="http://christianauthorsnetwork.com/" target="_blank">ChristianAuthorsNetwork.com</a> ~</div>
<div>
Membership is $50 per year.</div>
<div>
There is a registration fee of $50.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li>Realm Makers</li>
</ul>
<div>
~ <a href="http://realmmakers.com/" target="_blank">realmmakers.com</a> ~</div>
<div>
This is primarily the speculative tribe.</div>
<div>
Membership has 3 levels:</div>
<div>
Basic $40 for 1 year</div>
<div>
Published $65 for 1 year</div>
<div>
Professional $100 for 1 year </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li>Inspire Christian Writers</li>
</ul>
<div>
~ <a href="http://inspirewriters.com/" target="_blank">inspirewriters.com</a> ~ </div>
<div>
Membership is $50 annually.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li>WordWeavers</li>
</ul>
<div>
~ <a href="http://word-weavers.com/" target="_blank">word-weavers.com</a> ~</div>
<div>
They have 2 types of Membership:</div>
<div>
For adults: $45 per year</div>
<div>
For teens: $35 per year</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Join them all or join only a couple, but in the least participate in one of these organizations. The benefits will enrich your career in many ways.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span>Daphne Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392433374440291972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305027977309342967.post-25538684211843456292018-03-13T14:25:00.001-05:002018-03-13T14:26:19.667-05:00Websites/Organizations/Social Media II<div data-block="true" data-editor="b350a" data-offset-key="cmt0q-0-0" style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica","arial",sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="cmt0q-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; position: relative; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span data-offset-key="cmt0q-0-0" style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span data-text="true" style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">How do you use Facebook?</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U9EKWU6r4e0/Wp19hlwin7I/AAAAAAAAC3o/4Pa6AMDVEy4jN_G7QP3EbvNXnE4MjcQHQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/SMgraphic.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="554" data-original-width="739" height="239" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U9EKWU6r4e0/Wp19hlwin7I/AAAAAAAAC3o/4Pa6AMDVEy4jN_G7QP3EbvNXnE4MjcQHQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/SMgraphic.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="cmt0q-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; position: relative; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span data-offset-key="cmt0q-0-0" style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span data-text="true" style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Do you have a connection with other authors, editors, writers, agents, and publishers on your personal page or do you reserve those for your (business) page?</span></span></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="cmt0q-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; position: relative; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span data-offset-key="cmt0q-0-0" style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span data-text="true" style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="cmt0q-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; position: relative; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span data-offset-key="cmt0q-0-0" style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span data-text="true" style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Do you join groups and participate in them?</span></span></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="cmt0q-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; position: relative; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span data-offset-key="cmt0q-0-0" style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span data-text="true" style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Do you like pages by authors, editors, writers, agents, and publishers?</span></span></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="cmt0q-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; position: relative; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="cmt0q-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; position: relative; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span data-offset-key="cmt0q-0-0" style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span data-text="true" style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">How you handle Facebook determines how well you are seen by people on Facebook. The more you interact the more you will see, but it doesn't determine that you will be seen.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="cmt0q-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; position: relative; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="cmt0q-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; position: relative; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span data-offset-key="cmt0q-0-0" style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span data-text="true" style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Facebook uses a complicated equation, some may say faulty, but it really does work for what they want it to do: to drive people to pay to boost posts.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="cmt0q-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; position: relative; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span data-offset-key="cmt0q-0-0" style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span data-text="true" style="font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">You can work around this problem or you can pay a small amount to boost a post that can reach "<b>UP TO</b>" (semantics at play here) a certain number of people.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">It is a decision that only you can make.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">But to use Facebook as your only social media platform is akin to tying a marketing noose around your neck.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Facebook is one of many platforms to use, but should never be the main one.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">If you don't have a page, start one. Use the page for announcements, share about your book and other authors' books, post links at times, post an update status about twice a week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Use your personal profile for not just family, but serious connections with other people with whom you like to form a friendship. For example: I have many authors on my personal page. I connect with them. I comment on their posts and they on mine. And I share a lot of things that they post, too. This allows the friends of friends of friends of friends, etc. to see my name.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Eventually my name and my book will cross paths before them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">This will work for you, too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Groups! I cannot stress enough that joining groups and spending time in them is a beneficial endeavor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">You don't have to spend a lot of time there. A pop in, pop out is enough. And you can create shortcuts on your sidebar to help you discern when a new post has arrived.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Facebook can be a great marketing tool. Not for selling books, but for bringing attention to you and your name. The more a reader or another person in the business gets to know you, the more apt they are to share and/or buy your book.</span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Daphne Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392433374440291972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305027977309342967.post-73397546042501209402018-03-05T11:27:00.003-06:002018-03-05T11:33:51.754-06:00Websites/Organizations/Social Media<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="color: #000010; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">There are three things a successful author needs for marketing: a website, membership in organizations, and social media presence. For the next few weeks, I will talk about social media presence and why it is a good thing to have.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U9EKWU6r4e0/Wp19hlwin7I/AAAAAAAAC3k/Kw8dho1DMVQNnxU2Ut8aw91hiJii__gzACLcBGAs/s1600/SMgraphic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="554" data-original-width="739" height="239" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U9EKWU6r4e0/Wp19hlwin7I/AAAAAAAAC3k/Kw8dho1DMVQNnxU2Ut8aw91hiJii__gzACLcBGAs/s320/SMgraphic.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="color: #000016; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">You’ll hear and read many authors, editors, agents, and
publishers talk about the importance of a social media connection. Online connections
began in the early 90’s and since then it has evolved into a mainstay within
society. Long distance phone companies became a thing of the past as more and
more people used cellphones and internet video calls to connect with long
distance relatives; and, they did so at a much lesser cost than the phone
services offered.</span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">It is the Age of Technology. We may or may not have a
dependency on it. That is determined by the person. BUT we should take
advantage of social media and how it can help in our platform and marketing.</span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">The favorite saying of most in the publishing business: Keep
an ongoing presence online, even if it’s only a small post once every two days.
The more you post, the more you are seen.</span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">And this is so true. No matter what an author cannot stay in
his/her Hobbit Hole. If you are INFJ or INFP, never fear. Introverts can have
an online presence without exposing our vulnerability. </span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Today I will talk about my favorite social media site:
<b><u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/" target="_blank">INSTAGRAM</a></u></b>.</span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Why Instagram?</span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Not only do I get to share photos of books, what I am
reading, what I am eating (yes, even I fall into that little category), what I
am writing, what I’ve seen, where I’m going, etc., I can share my favorite reads,
my projects, or those odds-n-ends in life that I find captivating. The possibilities
of sharing are endless. By posting on Instagram I am more than just an author;
I’m seen as a person.</span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Using Instagram to connect with readers and other authors
allows us to connect with the nonbusiness side of the industry. With the dual role
of personal and business, your followers are more apt to buy your books or if
you are helping to promote a fellow author, then they are more apt to buy that
author’s books.</span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">Another thing that makes Instagram fun is the ability to
share memes, giveaways, and book challenges without having the post limited to
a certain number of followers. If someone follows you, then they see the post.</span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: large;">If you aren’t on Instagram, then I encourage to start a
profile today. Remember, the more you post, the more you are seen. </span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="color: #44546a;"></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span>Daphne Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392433374440291972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305027977309342967.post-55427304212027455272018-01-17T14:33:00.001-06:002018-03-05T11:40:11.648-06:00Seminar Notes: Part V<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">You want a writing breakthrough secret? Then follow these steps.......</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LWR27DMuGbU/Wl-zAw7Gz3I/AAAAAAAAC2M/5p0-pLZiEoIzSlsQ-gVB0ahIslKaDwRygCLcBGAs/s1600/booksbooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="345" data-original-width="500" height="220" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LWR27DMuGbU/Wl-zAw7Gz3I/AAAAAAAAC2M/5p0-pLZiEoIzSlsQ-gVB0ahIslKaDwRygCLcBGAs/s320/booksbooks.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;">1. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Confront the writing rather than avoid it.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> Force yourself to sit at the computer or notebook even when nothing is happening.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> A. This is usually referred to as the "battle of the first 15 minutes".</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> 1. Don't sit with the idea of sitting down and writing a novel. Spend 10 to 15 minutes to let your mind wander. Guide your daydreaming to flip the switch to writing down your story.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> 2. Do only one scene, one chapter, etc. Short sprints only.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> B. Rules are to be strictly enforced.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> Tune out distractions!</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> 1. No email.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> 2. No internet.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> 3. No phone.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> 4. No getting up.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;">2. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Let yourself play with the idea before you begin the writing.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> A. Write scenes in different ways</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> B. Play around with the characters and their traits.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;">3. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Start writing at the point of the story where you have the best idea and feel the most comfortable.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> A. Write that kernel of a thought and then add filling.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> B. It's okay to write the beginning, jump to the end, back to the middle, and then back to the beginning.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;">4. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Set reasonable goals and stick to them.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> A. Determine the number of pages per day or hours per day that you will write.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> B. Make it a low number at first.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> 1. One hour at the beginning of the day or one hour at night.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> 2. Three to five pages per day</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> 3. One chapter a day</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;">A quote that many authors love to share is this: "Some days, those hours leave me with 2.000 words, other days with 200." ~ Dean Koontz</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;">5. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Write to discover your ideas</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> A. Don't wait until you already know what it is you want to say.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> 1. Writing=discovery</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> 2. You write your way though difficulties, not thinking your way through.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;">6. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Write yourself a note at the end of each day's writing.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> A. What would you have written if you continued?</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> B. Tell what comes next.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> Ex: Snippets of dialogue, brief descriptions</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;">7. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Read as much as you can. It will improve your writing</span>.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;">8. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Write down ideas as soon as they come to you.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> A. Keep an "Idea Journal"</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> B. Place ideas on post-it notes</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> C. Keep a small notebook with you</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;">9. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Ignore the market</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> A. Don't pay attention to the business side of writing. This will hamper your writing through distractions.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;">10. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Pay attention to the market</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> A. There's a time to write</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> B. There's a time to take on the other role.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> 1. Edit your story.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> 2. Involve yourself into critique groups or have a writing partner.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> C. Know the realities, but don't dwell on them.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;">11. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Cultivate an "obsession" with your nov</span>el.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> A. Don't see it as a chore, but as an escape, a love.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;">12. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Let God do in you what each book is supposed to do</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;">13. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Don't follow false deadlines</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> A. Meet your deadlines, but unrealistic deadlines will hamper your writing.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> B. The amount of writing differs from person to person, so BE TRUE to yourself.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;">14. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Don't waste time on envy of other writers.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> A. This is destructive. Your journey is not the same as other people.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> B. Interact with other writers.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> 1. Relationships/friendships with other writers offer encouragement.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> 2. And these friendships also provide a market base.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"> 3. It's a dual blessing!</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;">And that's it.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;">These last 5 blog posts will not guarantee a bestseller, a large audience, or even publication. But what it can guarantee is a great novel written by you.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;">Hard work and perseverance is great. But prayer for guidance and love for writing is what is needed.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span style="color: black;">Follow these tips and remember: Never Quit Learning the Trade! </span></div>
Daphne Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392433374440291972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305027977309342967.post-72727149196671134732018-01-17T14:31:00.001-06:002018-03-05T11:40:44.904-06:00Seminar Notes: Part IV<div style="line-height: 1.5em; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5em; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><b>4 Trends in Today's Market: To really get into character</b></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5em; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;">It's not easy to become noticed in a noisy world. to rise above the average an author must write an exceptional story. To do that here are four tips that will help an author (you) shine within the crowd.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Show versus Tell</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> This incorporates a great number of things. When you "tell" a story, you place the reader into an omniscient role as he/she reads the narrative.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> When you "show" the story the reader experiences the story as the character does. The reader will feel, see, hear, and know only what the character knows. This type is a more intimate style of writing.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> Let's look at three ways to be able to show rather than tell.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> A. Deep POV</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> 1. When writing you literally don the mantel of your character.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> a. See through your character. Hear and feel only what your character hears and feels.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> 2. Eliminate not all but most "was", "were", use sparingly the "ly" adverbs. These are "telling" signs. Use active verbs no passive verbs.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> a. Ex: He felt....she heard....he knew....she thought....he wondered....she remembered.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> b. If you tell it, then it is better to show it. You are in the character's head, so write from the character's head.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> B. STAY in one POV per scene</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> 1. Head hopping is when you jump from one character's viewpoint and into another's viewpoint</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> 2. We can't know what "Joe" is thinking if we are in "Susan's" or "Jon's" point of view.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> 3. Head hopping CONFUSES the reader.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> C. Have a reason for switching your POV.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> 1. New scene equals a separate scene, use a scene break.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> 2. Place can be the same place, but there must be a reason for switching POV. Does it push the story forward?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">II. <span style="font-weight: bold;">G.W.S. (Goes Without Saying)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> A. Dialogue tags: she said...he asked...she quipped....</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> 1. These are unnecessary.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> "Did you get the items from town?" she asked.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> This creates a "ping-pong" effect to the reader. The mind's camera bounces from one character to another. Are they standing still?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> a. Eliminate the tags and insert action instead.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> "Did you get the items from town?" She closed the door and turned to him.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> b. This strengthens not only the characters, but the plot.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> B. You write about your characters and he's angry.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> Sam slammed the door and kicked the ottoman out of his way. The cushions sank as he collapsed on the couch. The ingrate! Who did he think he was dealing with? Sam was incensed that Tim double-crossed him.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> 1. Number one thing: the reader will go "Well, duh!"</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> We don't need that last sentence. It goes without saying that Sam is angry.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> 2. Most GWS statements are "telling" and not "showing" the story.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">III. <span style="font-weight: bold;">R.U.E. (Resist the Urge to Explain)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> A. You'll find this in some authors' works. He/she shows the action, you as the reader are immersed in this story, suddenly you are yanked away because the author felt the need to explain what he/she had just written.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> 1. Not only does this insult the reader's intelligence, but it also jars the reader out of the story.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> 2. Lord Ravenwood closed in on his assailant. Soon he would have the man dead-to-rights. The wind creaked the shingles overhead masking the sound of his revolver as he drew it from his leather holster. He knew the wind was loud enough so that the assailant would not hear him withdraw his gun.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> a. This last sentence is another author intrusion. The reader understands that the wind was loud enough. No explanation is needed.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> b. This is another form of "telling" the story instead of "showing".</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">IV. <span style="font-weight: bold;">NO INFO DUMPING ALLOWED, VIOLATORS WILL BE EDITED</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> A. Info dumps include paragraphs of giving character descriptions, background information, etc.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> B. These info dumps pull the reader away form the story and cheats the reader from experiencing the book. This is another form of "telling" instead of "showing".</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> C. You work character descriptions and background into the story as you write: dialogue and deep POV.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Following these trends increases the strength and depth of your novel and fleshes out your characters.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">In the next and last segment I will reveal a writing breakthrough secret. Until then, think about how you can incorporate these tips into your writing to make your book shine!</span></div>
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Daphne Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392433374440291972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305027977309342967.post-29598458686424723462018-01-17T14:28:00.000-06:002018-03-05T11:41:08.202-06:00Seminar Notes: Part III<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
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<span style="color: black;">The last two posts (Part I & Part II) spoke about the Ten Plotting Problems. Today let us discuss ten ways to make your character multi-dimensional.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Imagine your character on paper. She's flat and two dimensional. With a little shading, a little color, and some background, she starts to leap off the paper becoming a three dimensional character.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">So how do we "Get into Character"?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">1. <b>Likeability</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> The reader must like your hero and heroine.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> A. What are his attributes and qualities?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> B. How is he perceived by other characters?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> C. Is the character sincere? Compassionate? Vulnerable? Etc.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> Your character needs certain qualities that affect how other characters interact with him/her.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">2. <b>Give the Character Faults</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> A. Give the character something that sets him apart such as: OCD, ADHD, socially inept, stutter, clumsy, judgemental, easily angered, etc.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> B. It's usually good to have him struggle with something from the past. This struggle should be inwardly as well as outwardly.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> Struggles make the character more realistic.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">3. <b>Give Clear Goals</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> A. Make sure the character grows, emotionally & spiritually.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> Character growth is what we call the character Arc.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> B. have achievable goals: reconciliation, redemption, salvation. Make them "worthy goals".</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">4. <b>Descriptions</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> These are to be worked into the story and through dialogue.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> A. Above all else avoid stereotypes, but stay true to the region and culture.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> B. What are the character's mannerisms? Health? Occupation (this affects who they are and what they do)? Martial status? Etc.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> C. Mannerisms can include: hand talk, stutter, chatty, shy, etc.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">5. <b>Speech in Dialogues</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> Keep the speech used in dialogue distinctive, not cliched or flat/forced.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> A. Diction, accent, and colloquialisms (the sayings of a region).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> Unless he's a transplant a man wouldn't say "you guys" in the South, "y'all" in the North. I'll speak on colloquialisms at a later date.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> B. Is his/her voice deep, husky, melodic, squeaky?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> C. Use the same formula above to develop secondary characters. Secondary characters increase the depth of the main characters.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">6. <b>Special Skills or Knowledge</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> A. What hobbies does she/he have? Usually this can be used to help them later in the story.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> B. Remember NO convenient happenings!!! you introduce this skill that will be beneficial to him and others well before the scene where it is needed.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">7. <b>Keep Your Character True</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> A. Be true to the time period, culture, and character.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> 1. If she is usually quiet-nature, it would be unnatural to have an angry outburst.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> 2. If he does something out of character make sure the reader knows it was intended.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> B. Establish the character's behaviour early in the book.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">8. <b>Give a Past to the Character</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> A. No INFO DUMP</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> 1. Gradually work this past into the story.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> B. There MUST be a conflict. Something that is threatening to the character.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> C. Details, Details, Details, people!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> 1. Family, birthplace, occupation, faith, talents, intelligence, ethnicity, education, view of self, etc. You don't don't dump this info all at once. It is shown through action and dialogue.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> 2. Is he is flawed, then why?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">9. <b>Gotta Have a Motive</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> A. You have to let the character grow.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> 1. how does her past effect her future?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> 2. What major events impacted his life?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> B. How does his goal change? Is he the same as he was at the beginning?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> C. Are new goals discovered?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> D. Give the characters inner conflict to overcome as well. Let them inner journey parallel the physical plot.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">10. <b>Give the Character Obstacles</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> A. This will incorporate not only the personality traits, but his/her goals, and conflicts.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> B. Obstacles strengthen the character's growth.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Now that your character is multi-dimensional then how do you really GET INTO CHARACTER? Next time, I'll speak on that. Until then, think on how you can apply these pointers to your characters. Which ones do you need to strengthen?</span></div>
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Daphne Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392433374440291972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305027977309342967.post-50841732826426594322018-01-17T14:25:00.000-06:002018-03-05T11:41:31.004-06:00Seminar Notes: Part II<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Picking up from last time, I will finish the 10 plotting problems that many authors</span><span style="font-size: 18px;"> face eventually in their writing career.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 18px;">Yes, think of writing as a career not as a hobby. By thinking of it as a career you are more apt to treat the process with diligence and structure.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 18px;">To start today's blog let us look at the next plotting problems. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18px;"><span style="color: black;">6. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Pace the plot</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 18px;"> Constructing the plot of a book is like a dance. You never rush the story, as I spoke about in the last blog. You never let it lag either (which is where the sagging middle comes into play).</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 18px;"> Romance the storyline as if in a courtship. Point A, the beginning, must lead to Point B, the middle, which leads to Point C, the end.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18px;"><span style="color: black;">7. <span style="font-weight: bold;">What a coincidence</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>Many authors refer to this as a "co-winky dink" for fun. But it can be a serious problem for new and established authors.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 18px;"> Ever read a book and ask: that was convenient.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"> You have a character in a quandary, and suddenly it's all fixed. Another character drops in or he/she suddenly finds the answer or have a resolution. Or </span><span style="font-size: 18px;">maybe the solution to the problem impossibly appears out of no where in particular.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 18px;"> There's no character growth, and it cheats the reader out of a story.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18px;"><span style="color: black;">8. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Conflicts and more conflicts</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="inherit-font-size" style="font-size: 18px;"><span class="inherit-font-size"><span class="inherit-font-size"><span class="inherit-font-size"><span class="inherit-font-size" style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 18px;"> There are 3 major conflicts: <span style="font-style: italic;">man vs man</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">man vs himself</span>, and <span style="font-style: italic;">man vs nature</span>.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 18px;"> These create an umbrella where other conflicts fall under.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 18px;"> When a writer throws multiple instances of each conflict the story bogs down, and the reader is left adrift in a flotsam of writing.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 18px;"> Too many conflicts make reading the story too hard. Too few conflicts makes it boring.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18px;"><span style="color: black;">9. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Structural Weakness</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18px;">Structure are the bones.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 18px;"> Does the story have a setting?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 18px;"> Does the story have a mood and tone?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 18px;"> Each story needs a foundation. Lay the groundwork of the story, the beginning, and build up around it.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 18px;"> Example: where is the setting of the story? Big city? Small town? Northern region? Deep South?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 18px;"> Setting affects dialogue and actions. Who are the characters? Their jobs? Their families? No families? Etc.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 18px;"> You have to have a reason to write a story.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18px;"><span style="color: black;">10. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Whose story is this?</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="inherit-font-size" style="font-size: 18px;"><span class="inherit-font-size"><span class="inherit-font-size"><span class="inherit-font-size"><span class="inherit-font-size" style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 18px;"> You have to give your protagonist issues!! Face it; we all have issues and so do your characters.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 18px;"> He has to overcome something, defeat something. Like the structure of the book your character has a story that needs to be told.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 18px;"> To tell her story, you must become the character.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 18px;">And this leads up to <span style="font-weight: bold;">Part III</span>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold;">How to Get into Character</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 18px;">Next time I'll give 10 pointers/advice on ways to make your character multi-dimensional.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 18px;">Until next time, let us think about what we would like to see improvement in when it come to our writing.</span></div>
Daphne Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392433374440291972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305027977309342967.post-29037696786453669312018-01-17T14:23:00.004-06:002018-03-05T11:41:50.877-06:00Seminar Notes: Part I<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LPyR_Na9xm4/TGSCTYZ2yqI/AAAAAAAABck/-GtZL8CqQQgFuPG9JQ6JdCFCMcE_9KulQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/freedom-writer---pen-and-paper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LPyR_Na9xm4/TGSCTYZ2yqI/AAAAAAAABck/-GtZL8CqQQgFuPG9JQ6JdCFCMcE_9KulQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/freedom-writer---pen-and-paper.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;">It can be a long road or a short road to publication. Either way unless you take your story from OK to great, publication will be an extremely difficult road to travel. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;">The trends in writing are ever changing and to be successful in the publication game you have to continually learn the market. Writing isn't just a hobby or a gift, it's a job.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;">In this 5 part series, I will share things I've learned through seminars and experience.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;"> The following are some of the things that authors will encounter:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;"> ~plotting problems</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;"> ~how to get into character</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;"> ~trends in writing</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;"> ~how to be productive</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;"> For Part I, I will concentrate on 5 of 10 plotting problems.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;">1. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Backstory Mistakes</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;"> At the beginning of the story you give the history of the character or the setting. We call this an info dump. This is too much information too soon. And it jars the reader out of the story's cadence.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;"> How do you overcome this?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;"> Through dialogue. Through action. Through thoughts and memories.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;"> CAUTION: using backstory through thoughts and memories is tricky. This dips into a point of view issue which will be discussed later in Part IV.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;">2. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Boring or Not-so-Interesting Starts</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;"> You have to hook the reader. If not the first sentence, then at most the first paragraph, should capture the reader's attention.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;"> Even in a nonfiction book, it has to have something that will compel the reader to turn the page, and the next, and the next.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;"> Usually in novels the author should use action or suspense (either a romantic or thrill style suspense). Cliffhangers are good examples. Not all cliffhangers have to be at the end of the book.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;">3. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Too Fast, Too Soon, Too Furious</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;"> What?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;"> Did the story end already?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;"> Did the author run out of paper?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;"> Where's the rest of the story?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;"> Far too often a story will suddenly end and loose ends are left dangling.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;"> When writing a story do not rush to tell the story. Bring about a logical conclusion to the plots and conflicts. Your readers will thank you.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;">4. <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Sagging Middle"</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;"> When writing the beginnings and endings are easier than the middle. You can't insert stuff into the middle. The nougat of the story is the reason the reader picked up your book. Supply logical steps and scenes that connect each scene. Is there a reason for this scene? Each part of the book has to push along the story.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;">5. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Cast of Thousands</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;"> Do you have a "cast of thousands"? Do you have a "cast of hundreds"? Even a cast of a few dozen can be impossible to keep straight.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;"> Ask yourself: are all the characters important?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;"> Each character should have a reason for popping up. Your secondary characters should never be introduced up front too soon, but neither should they be introduced too late. And never introduce them as a point of view character in the middle of the book and only have a scene or two devoted to them. These scenes belong on the cutting room floor.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;"> Secondary characters are your supporting cast. The story isn't mainly about him or her, but it would collapse without them.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px;"> Next time I'll write about the next 5 plotting problems. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , "geneva" , sans-serif;"> Until then think about where you could improve your writing.</span></span></div>
Daphne Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392433374440291972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305027977309342967.post-78411679360121794062017-11-02T14:57:00.001-05:002018-03-05T11:42:10.556-06:00I'm a Trader 429<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">I don't know what people think about their writing and their books. Do they worry about sales? Do they worry about reaching the bookstores or having their books on the shelves of major chain stores? Do they worry about who will like their books?</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">I used to worry, but no more.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Here's how I learned to cast those worries aside.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">I read Ephesians 4:29 (<span style="font-size: small;">King James Version because I love the Shakespearean sound of the words, very poetic</span>): "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">My words are written to bring glory to His name, to help the hurting, to bring hope to the lost, and most importantly to tell real life with real words. I will continue to strive to maintain the command set forth in Ephesians.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">How did I stop worrying about sales and bookstores and what to write, etc.? </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">I watched <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mhsjoTmnY0" target="_blank"><b>Definition of a Trader with Brain Mosley</b></a> from <a href="http://rightnow.org/">RightNow.org</a> which is featured on YouTube. A trader is defined by this: </span><br />
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<li><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">a new kind of missionary </span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">a movement that requires us to live out our faith </span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">to sacrifice and be intentional with our time, money, and skills </span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">see work as worship </span></li>
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<li><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">everything we do in life can be an opportunity to worship God. </span></li>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">We must act Right Now. </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Basically we, as followers of Christ, must be kingdom focused and not self-focused.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Once that was drilled into my head and stamped onto my gray matter, I learned that it isn't about money. It isn't about prestige. it isn't about being on the best-sellers list. It's all about GOD.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">As I write my words and spin my tale, I focus on my Audience of One. He alone knows my heart, my desires, and He alone knows the plans He set before me.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">I decided to step up to the plate and accept that challenge. I write for my Lord. I write to show the world His love. </span>Daphne Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392433374440291972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305027977309342967.post-37229673914974633822017-04-18T00:33:00.002-05:002017-04-18T00:33:55.998-05:00April Autism Awareness Month<span style="font-size: large;">April is Autism Awareness Month and unfortunately most people do not understand what "autism" means. Even myself cannot fathom the depths of this condition, but I have met two extremely handsome young men and one beautiful little girl with autism.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just a little over two years ago my son befriended a boy around his age who was diagnosed with ADHD but also with autism. I'm guessing the autism was slight, but it had him where he seemed always a little behind in maturity compared to the other boys. Noah was a delight to have around. And I quickly learned how to deal with his conditions and how to help him respond to our lifestyle at our home. Sadly, he no longer comes around and we miss him at times, but that year and a half made a difference in not only my life, but that of my son's.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> About five years ago I started attending my husband's church. We were engaged at the time. Although the Pentecostal church was quite different than what I was used to, I became enraptured over a little girl who had autism. Sometimes I felt as though she was misunderstood, but for some reason my son and I developed a small rapport with her. She loved colors and I tried to encourage her to communicate through her coloring. For a while she did and began to hang around me. I loved her and thought she was so precious. Sadly, once we left the church, I never saw her again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Six years ago I met fellow author D'Ann Renner. She has a son with autism. This was my first time ever seeing a child with this condition. At first I didn't understand it or knew what to make of it, but with D'Ann's help her son, Luke, and I could carry on a limited conversation. I even received a hug from him. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It takes courage and strength to raise a child with autism. This isn't some mental illness or something to despise or consider a sad life happening. No. This is an opportunity for others. Each person I met saw life in a different way, an innocent way. Watching through their eyes opened mine. Because of their lack of communication skill, which varies greatly, it is difficult to raise these children at times. To me though, the women and men who have autistic children have a hidden blessing. They see more to the life God wants us to lead than any other person ever could.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">To celebrate April Autism Awareness Month, I would like to share with you the story D'Ann wrote; a story inspired by her son, Luke. Follow the link at the end to read more about D'Ann Renner on Rebel Book Reviews. Click on the title if you would like the option to purchase a copy of the book.</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dancing-Shadows-DAnn-Renner/dp/1620201127/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492493569&sr=8-1&keywords=dancing+from+the+shadows" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.amazon.com/Dancing-Shadows-DAnn-Renner/dp/1620201127/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492493569&sr=8-1&keywords=dancing+from+the+shadows" border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K1uAgz_U0Mw/USvQa9iFkGI/AAAAAAAABcY/DDq97NwzjsARkWUOePspoe56_VrHwKsGACPcB/s320/dancing.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"</span><span style="font-size: large;">In her own unique way of writing, D'Ann brought forth a truly wonderful
tale. From the first page I was captured and pulled into a story that
gave me a
heart-rendering and intimate look inside life with a special needs
child. To make it even more potent, D'Ann Renner shows, not just tells
about, life with an adopted special needs child. From laughter to tears
and back again, this book is more than just a story...it's a look into
true family love. <br />
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The title, to me, is most profound. Life with a special needs can be
hard, at most times frustrating. It can feel as though you are living in
the shadow of the world, but it doesn't necessarily have to be that
way. Her portrait of the heartache, the joy, and the wonder of life is
an eyeopener to a world most cannot even imagine, and it is a definite
must read."</span><br />
<br />
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">http://rebelbookreviews.blogspot.com/2013/03/dann-renners-dancing-from-shadows.html</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-idOgj7WDodc/USvSDX2GsLI/AAAAAAAABcE/TMCwpWQCdBIL--z0M3V40uTv2t4EFB9MwCPcB/s1600/280841_2063140613085_2983603_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-idOgj7WDodc/USvSDX2GsLI/AAAAAAAABcE/TMCwpWQCdBIL--z0M3V40uTv2t4EFB9MwCPcB/s320/280841_2063140613085_2983603_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Daphne Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392433374440291972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305027977309342967.post-19037303071779411282017-03-15T18:11:00.000-05:002017-03-15T18:11:23.893-05:001 1/2 Weeks of Books<span style="font-size: large;">It isn't everyday that I can sit down with a book and read it without interruption. I was able to squeeze in the time to read a couple of books, though. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes I don't even the luxury to be able to read a book; but, this past week and a half I have been quite ill and without the strength to move around a lot I was given the opportunity to read. To my amazement, I came across some really spectacular books!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In no particular order here is a list of what I read. If you click on the title it will take you to the publishers' website where you can learn more about the author, the book, and where to buy it. If you can't purchase the book and prefer to read library books, then I hope you will encourage your local library to order these books. Believe me, these are truly excellent books to read.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1) </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://ambassador-international.com/books/following-wherever-he-leads/" target="_blank"><img alt="http://ambassador-international.com/books/following-wherever-he-leads/" border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QFg1AGYJ1LU/WMnIKVu5maI/AAAAAAAACjw/Ju8-9yGBcVYhMldeqoKMnM2C50Ns3dcyQCLcB/s320/34145408.jpg" width="212" /><span id="goog_167309681"></span></a><span id="goog_167309682"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2)</span><br />
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<a href="http://ambassador-international.com/books/love-him-anyway/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TvwVIliV0XE/WMnIVUFOYgI/AAAAAAAACj0/FyNT6Nyj4gAUGNyQgiMMEaNzRwW8d9W_gCLcB/s320/9781620205723.jpg" width="199" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3)</span><br />
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<a href="http://ambassador-international.com/books/the-high-calling-of-motherhood/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WChesEpPTHk/WMnIa0gAjJI/AAAAAAAACj4/skOqJnHjEv0WtU-TmWxSafVSNqquZlPuQCLcB/s320/9781620205822-657x1024.jpg" width="205" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">4) </span><br />
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<a href="http://pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=34&products_id=651" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AlofQhnYPKk/WMnIf1tfmMI/AAAAAAAACj8/9xmlTTFBoasnYCl-qvXsVnmsrtz_IVu8gCLcB/s320/shadeden.jpg" width="194" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">5) </span><br />
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<a href="http://ambassador-international.com/books/the-reliant/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0GRvwLCUrxI/WMnIkO7kyVI/AAAAAAAACkA/ssbYFAP-NEUI_xcFn9J3BJPxIHWAV38aQCLcB/s320/reliant.jpg" width="203" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">6) </span><br />
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<a href="http://ambassador-international.com/books/mission-of-a-lifetime/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KcoYa95zUnE/WMnIoKzkYNI/AAAAAAAACkE/Htg48RkyDqkkmjcvWU8N7AAE3_RB0qTRACLcB/s320/mission.jpg" width="208" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />Daphne Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392433374440291972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305027977309342967.post-85090417044947863682017-02-23T21:16:00.000-06:002017-02-23T21:16:27.905-06:00Uplifting Others<span style="font-size: large;">It has been something that rankles me, how other Christian authors consider this profession as a competition. I would think this if I were in the secular, aka general, market where I was up against other authors and trying to make my name known and my book sold; but, I am in a Christian market where our first and foremost thought, at least I would assume it to be, is to glorify Jesus Christ and lift up His name.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When Paul wrote his letters and traveled from place to place, he did not begrudge Peter, Barnabas, or Timothy as they traveled to places, too. No. He lifted them up in prayer knowing that what they did benefited all and glorified Christ. He didn't see these men as competition, but as brothers.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">That's how I see my fellow CBA authors: as brothers and sisters in Christ. When I share their books, their successes, their posts, their news, I am sharing a portion of the gospel so that it will reach others. I'm thrilled to share those books that I have read and loved. And if a person chooses their book over mine, I am happy for that author. Do I feel saddened that I wasn't chosen?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Well, yeah. A wee bit. But it may be that my book wasn't what was needed for that person, but the other book was. And that is what I am elated to rejoice in.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">To me, by sharing another author's book, I am sharing a message that glorifies Christ and may help another. As Christians we are to uplift each other. And for each act of kindness, blessings unfold exponentially. (which I see like this: for 1 act, there are 2 blessings. For 2 acts, there are 4 blessings. For 4 acts, there are 16 blessings. For 16 acts, there are 256 blessings, and so on.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We may never see each and every blessing, but they are there. And if you really sit back and think, helping out another makes you feel good, and I mean <i><b>really</b></i> good. You are happier. Everything starts to look brighter. That is because we are concentrating on the positive, and not the negative.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So when you get a chance to help out another author, do it. Share that story. It may be just the one that leads another person to Christ. And do not forget, that person may also want to read your book, too. </span>Daphne Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392433374440291972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305027977309342967.post-87928965824518944492017-01-11T14:48:00.001-06:002017-01-11T14:48:22.323-06:00Those Nasty Little Grudges<div data-contents="true">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span data-offset-key="6k55f-0-0"><span data-text="true">I used to think I didn't hold grudges for that long, until today. At times I find myself plucking that little dark morsel from my heart and reexamining it. Usually this happens after reading an article or seeing a post.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="6k55f-0-0">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span data-offset-key="6k55f-0-0"><span data-text="true"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span data-offset-key="58n4q-0-0"><span data-text="true">When I was 9 I had a teacher call me a liar in front of my classmates. She also treated the "richer" kids nicer than those of us who were poor. She made me feel dumb and mortified when I was presenting a project in front of my classmates about my father's job. I worked so hard to build a shadow box about him. She belittled my ignorance between "construction" and "steel construction". I was given an "F"; but after my mother met with the principle, all the "poor" kids who received "Fs" received an "A". There was only two grades: 100 for a completed project and 50 for no project. I held a grudge against her. And find myself still disliking her for the damage she did to the other children.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="58n4q-0-0">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span data-offset-key="58n4q-0-0"><span data-text="true"> </span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="qeau" data-offset-key="2ajq0-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2ajq0-0-0">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span data-offset-key="2ajq0-0-0"><span data-text="true">When I was 17 I had a teacher that didn't like what I wrote in English class because it scored higher than her favorite students. She changed the wording in my submission and made it sound horrible. (Of course I changed it back for the final submission). She also tried to keep from joining her class, but after my recommendations and scores she had to allow me. She treated the poorer students like they were beneath her. I've seen her scoff at other students for what they wore. I've seen her label them as unworthy. I held a grudge against her for her harmful actions against others, and for making them feel less.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2ajq0-0-0">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span data-offset-key="2ajq0-0-0"><span data-text="true"><br /></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="qeau" data-offset-key="6k515-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="6k515-0-0">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span data-offset-key="6k515-0-0"><span data-text="true">When I was in my 20s, my son's grandmother made life difficult. She went to any and all lengths to tear my son away from me. In the end she lost, thanks to my wonderful family. I've seen her cheat cleaners on a bill. I've seen her treat the working class as less than she (even though she was a blue collar worker herself). I still dislike her and see her as nothing but evil. That grudge still seems to stick around.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="6k515-0-0">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span data-offset-key="6k515-0-0"><span data-text="true"> </span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="qeau" data-offset-key="efihb-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="efihb-0-0">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span data-offset-key="efihb-0-0"><span data-text="true">When I was in my 30s I had a boyfriend who owed me lots of money, and when I got it back he stole it back from me (literally taking it out of my account or out of the books I kept my rainy day funds in). Plus, I had believed his lies. That's on me. But it's knowing his true self that I hold a grudge against.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="efihb-0-0">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span data-offset-key="efihb-0-0"><span data-text="true"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span data-offset-key="cak8d-0-0"><span data-text="true">I'm in my early 40s now and I still have one more grudge that I don't like to talk about, but nevertheless it is there. It bothers me most of all, but I am learning to deal it with.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="cak8d-0-0">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span data-offset-key="cak8d-0-0"><span data-text="true"><br /></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="qeau" data-offset-key="2s7ie-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2s7ie-0-0">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span data-offset-key="2s7ie-0-0"><span data-text="true">So when I look at the grudges, I see them for what they are. Not grudges at all. But memories and lessons learned about the injustice and harmful ways of others. Lessons that I can reexamine to insure that I don't make the same mistakes or treat someone as badly as the person treated me. It makes me empathetic to others. Lessons that help me understand the motives or reasoning behind the person's actions.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span data-offset-key="2s7ie-0-0"><span data-text="true"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span data-offset-key="e66b-0-0"><span data-text="true">And I realize, I no longer dislike the person. I dislike their actions and the harm it did. We may forgive, but we don't forget. That is how we prevent ourselves from falling into the same trap of the past. </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KEzBUWGl1Yw/WHaZR5NWNmI/AAAAAAAACaY/FXOUVe_X-rodUfPJxt6HLjBQoh3tq2_BQCLcB/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KEzBUWGl1Yw/WHaZR5NWNmI/AAAAAAAACaY/FXOUVe_X-rodUfPJxt6HLjBQoh3tq2_BQCLcB/s320/images.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span data-offset-key="e66b-0-0"><span data-text="true"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span data-offset-key="e66b-0-0"><span data-text="true">Maybe those grudges aren't so nasty after all. If we don't let them eat at us, they can stay around to help us grow. And every once in a while, when I pluck that little grudge from the darkest corner of my heart, I can then decide, "does this grudge help or hinder?". I will keep those that help and cast away those that hinder. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span data-offset-key="e66b-0-0"><span data-text="true"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span data-offset-key="e66b-0-0"><span data-text="true">Like a piece of dandelion fluff, I can blow it into the wind and let it be carried far away from me. </span></span></span></div>
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Daphne Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392433374440291972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305027977309342967.post-40100220530116783302016-12-30T12:13:00.001-06:002016-12-30T12:13:22.741-06:00To End the Year<span style="font-size: large;">To end this year I decided against a post. Instead, I am sharing 10 videos that I have come to love during the 2016 year. Each one tells a story and each one is unique. I hope you enjoy the music. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The 2016 Top 10 Songs</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> 1: Lauren Daigle - Come Alive (Dry Bones)</span></div>
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/8jLj8QMkNsI/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8jLj8QMkNsI?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2: The Afters - Live on Forever</span></div>
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/OdS7EWMNrWc/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OdS7EWMNrWc?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">3: Unspoken - Open the Clouds</span></div>
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/0y555d2j9RY/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0y555d2j9RY?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">4: Ryan Stevenson - Eye of the Storm</span></div>
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/lYy1f6VjDHU/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lYy1f6VjDHU?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">5: Skillet - Stars</span></div>
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/TbLJyjfyACM/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TbLJyjfyACM?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">6: Switchfoot - Live It Well</span></div>
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Ov_lnXy7tkQ/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ov_lnXy7tkQ?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">7: Need to Breathe - Happiness</span></div>
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xSWnSFPrPI4/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xSWnSFPrPI4?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">8: Hawk Nelson - Diamonds</span></div>
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/e9OEe6INe1k/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/e9OEe6INe1k?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">9: Capital Kings - Believer</span></div>
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/PbqudfRR058/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PbqudfRR058?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">10: For King & Country- Shoulders</span></div>
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/TfiYWaeAcRw/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TfiYWaeAcRw?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
Daphne Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392433374440291972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305027977309342967.post-91370580136888511972016-12-18T02:16:00.000-06:002016-12-18T02:16:29.263-06:00Christmastime in Iowa<span style="font-size: large;">The snow has fallen. Wind chills have dipped to negative temperatures. And we still vacant our domiciles and venture into the shopping world. That is life in Iowa. A little snow (about a foot or more) won't hinder us a bit, maybe delay us, slow us down, but not hinder.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think it is different for true Iowans rather than transplants; but we hang in there with the best of them (although sometimes we seem to be more layered clothing-wise than they).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday we spent a little time at the mall shopping for each other. With not a lot of money, wise choices had to be made. For some reason my husband thinks shopping for me is hard. That I don't understand. I appreciate any gift given. From rocks to books, from house shoes to a scarf, and anywhere in between. I like sparkles, the color white, psychedelic patterns and colors, books, music, little blankets or pillows, snowglobes/waterglobes/globes, and even maps. In other words, to me a gift from the heart is more priceless than the greatest ruby. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I found a few things for my husband today, too. Hit a deal that scored a freebie item, one that was severely discounted, and another by using some rewards points that I had garnered. Found exactly what I wanted to give to my son.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But Christmas isn't about presents under the tree. That is just a perk of the holiday. The ultimate present is Jesus. Born to die for us and to be set as King of all nations.</span><br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I23liuTdF04/Vp3DSu061xI/AAAAAAAABw8/JpEAinDi94MCL4KLnzrrlWMrYEpPZe0qgCPcB/s1600/otherwise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I23liuTdF04/Vp3DSu061xI/AAAAAAAABw8/JpEAinDi94MCL4KLnzrrlWMrYEpPZe0qgCPcB/s320/otherwise.jpg" width="196" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I love this holiday. The lights, the snow and weather, the tree, the warm cocoa, the music and art, but most of all, the love that this holiday has the ability to show.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">As the year closes, and as I read my one book that I always love to read at this time of year, I can reflect that through the grace of Christ, born unto us as our Saviour, this year was a pretty good year. </span>Daphne Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392433374440291972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305027977309342967.post-77316503516958250202016-12-07T23:40:00.000-06:002016-12-07T23:40:19.643-06:00Give the Gift of Books<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Christmas
has always been a wonderful time to me. I love the lights, the
decorations, the music, and most of all the love. Even though it seems
that each year the Christmas seems to become more commercialize, I have
seen a resurgence of the true meaning of Christmas. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">When
it comes to gifts, a lot of gifts are not needed nor should it be
practiced. Instead, think of the wise men and how their three gifts were
precious in the sight of God.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">To
help with choosing a few gifts, I am listing a few books that I have
found that would be enjoyed. Click the link to connect with the author
via social media. And help support an author this Christmas and buy one
of the books. </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-srajSF8v3V4/WEjn74MxzSI/AAAAAAAACYc/zhdoluG8FIA3-opxO0vFnyaoVLSQeNrrwCLcB/s1600/MCimage.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-srajSF8v3V4/WEjn74MxzSI/AAAAAAAACYc/zhdoluG8FIA3-opxO0vFnyaoVLSQeNrrwCLcB/s320/MCimage.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Romance:</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Summer's Flame </b></i>by <a href="http://www.wendydavy.com/" target="_blank">Wendy Davy</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-whDxquZZlw4/VgNtKas5JNI/AAAAAAAABnE/6dpygdKbpl4C1EIHWdpk_-Fhk1deZLTFACPcB/s1600/roseanna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-whDxquZZlw4/VgNtKas5JNI/AAAAAAAABnE/6dpygdKbpl4C1EIHWdpk_-Fhk1deZLTFACPcB/s200/roseanna.jpg" width="125" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Surrender to Peace</b></i> by <a href="http://rosemccauley.com/" target="_blank">Rose Allen McCauley</a></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gdjq4my91bk/Vz_O2tMDpLI/AAAAAAAACG8/ytLvSITHxjY-ZyT-iHFHyPWPE2Y633bNwCPcB/s1600/surrender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gdjq4my91bk/Vz_O2tMDpLI/AAAAAAAACG8/ytLvSITHxjY-ZyT-iHFHyPWPE2Y633bNwCPcB/s200/surrender.jpg" width="125" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Caged Dove </b></i>by <a href="http://www.authorandrearodgers.com/" target="_blank">Andrea Rodgers</a></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W3hSgqj3V7Q/VgsXMrrrg_I/AAAAAAAABnY/-p6h7DTZda83LdQJC-WmGEnLv4ebwkEswCPcB/s1600/caged.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W3hSgqj3V7Q/VgsXMrrrg_I/AAAAAAAABnY/-p6h7DTZda83LdQJC-WmGEnLv4ebwkEswCPcB/s200/caged.jpg" width="128" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Tapestry of Trust </b></i>by <a href="http://pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/index.php?main_page=manufacturers_about&manufacturers_about_id=109" target="_blank">Mary Annslee Urban</a></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--cfJ0UWSUys/VkkJcztg9MI/AAAAAAAABtc/IYU8uA7H_9U8yipXPJRus32As0cskS8aQCPcB/s1600/tapestry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--cfJ0UWSUys/VkkJcztg9MI/AAAAAAAABtc/IYU8uA7H_9U8yipXPJRus32As0cskS8aQCPcB/s200/tapestry.jpg" width="126" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>From Dishes to Snow </b></i>by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kathymhoward1/" target="_blank">Kathy M. Howard</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sjIYq2Nt1Bk/VNmkvLGLN4I/AAAAAAAABUY/TFxg7zRrZQUeRY4UlaRW2OhSxZeYGvcxwCPcB/s1600/dishes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sjIYq2Nt1Bk/VNmkvLGLN4I/AAAAAAAABUY/TFxg7zRrZQUeRY4UlaRW2OhSxZeYGvcxwCPcB/s200/dishes.jpg" width="133" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">Contemporary</span> (some with a romance thread)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Flabbergasted </b></i>by <a href="http://www.rayblackston.com/" target="_blank">Ray Blackston</a></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--WQsw9tfUtU/VpwmTmGPv0I/AAAAAAAABwk/0DoUGSuQwTsx0s2P3WAF2v-yyWEsWL79wCPcB/s1600/flabber.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--WQsw9tfUtU/VpwmTmGPv0I/AAAAAAAABwk/0DoUGSuQwTsx0s2P3WAF2v-yyWEsWL79wCPcB/s200/flabber.jpg" width="128" /></a></span></span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Mississippi Nights </i></b>by <a href="http://authordmwebb.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">D.M. Webb</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aRESZ4vb9qk/Vj19EkC_a3I/AAAAAAAABr4/XVBLCzztt8suT4I2kcI951kXkenE1TzrgCPcB/s1600/MN_Cover_FINAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aRESZ4vb9qk/Vj19EkC_a3I/AAAAAAAABr4/XVBLCzztt8suT4I2kcI951kXkenE1TzrgCPcB/s200/MN_Cover_FINAL.jpg" width="128" /></a></span></span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Fixing Perfect </i></b>by <a href="http://pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=34&products_id=640" target="_blank">Therese M. Travis</a></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EkuldEi_YD0/V8m-j1TDUII/AAAAAAAACPQ/Cvx8s_3YKq4XoC6BYMTMHzK0i90W-vLjgCPcB/s1600/bookcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EkuldEi_YD0/V8m-j1TDUII/AAAAAAAACPQ/Cvx8s_3YKq4XoC6BYMTMHzK0i90W-vLjgCPcB/s200/bookcover.jpg" width="121" /></a></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>The 17 </b></i>by <a href="http://pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=37_47&products_id=759" target="_blank">Clint Kelly</a></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dGgD1bqOU7Q/V8nFTY1TPWI/AAAAAAAACP4/UTFdNHG1dionrEhEbPGAcOXCZBH6BsWFQCPcB/s1600/bookcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dGgD1bqOU7Q/V8nFTY1TPWI/AAAAAAAACP4/UTFdNHG1dionrEhEbPGAcOXCZBH6BsWFQCPcB/s200/bookcover.jpg" width="122" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Futuristic/Speculative/YA/Supernatural</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Wake the Dead </i></b>by <a href="http://www.authorvictoriabuck.com/" target="_blank">Victoria Buck</a></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7h97zO2ukH8/V-3Bv-Bt99I/AAAAAAAACTM/czgbiIOK3W4XFIO8g1Fq2-QeVosVt85KgCPcB/s1600/22789282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7h97zO2ukH8/V-3Bv-Bt99I/AAAAAAAACTM/czgbiIOK3W4XFIO8g1Fq2-QeVosVt85KgCPcB/s200/22789282.jpg" width="125" /></a></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Vanquished </i></b>by <a href="http://www.katieclarkwrites.com/" target="_blank">Katie Clark</a></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JVO_gxb_kxU/V1YySctmcII/AAAAAAAACH0/1TFhMNZLrKYwK6qMNGzC0ZdaKlRurSqFACPcB/s1600/vanq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JVO_gxb_kxU/V1YySctmcII/AAAAAAAACH0/1TFhMNZLrKYwK6qMNGzC0ZdaKlRurSqFACPcB/s200/vanq.jpg" width="121" /></a></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>The Watchman </b></i>by <a href="http://www.vbtenery.com/" target="_blank">V.B. Tenery</a></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zkVWalXuipU/WAshwcVpftI/AAAAAAAACV0/H1QxmNk-JecMDewx2tOnuN8uR1bA8IhVQCPcB/s1600/23360843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zkVWalXuipU/WAshwcVpftI/AAAAAAAACV0/H1QxmNk-JecMDewx2tOnuN8uR1bA8IhVQCPcB/s200/23360843.jpg" width="122" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Historical/Historical Romance</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>The Madonna of Pisano </b></i>by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/drmaryanndiorio" target="_blank">MaryAnn Diorio</a></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WpFx3kpPN9k/VzEVwSQicyI/AAAAAAAACFo/r892tl61v10hB8mOiGCT6_hTMRLvO_YqQCPcB/s1600/madon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WpFx3kpPN9k/VzEVwSQicyI/AAAAAAAACFo/r892tl61v10hB8mOiGCT6_hTMRLvO_YqQCPcB/s200/madon.jpg" width="134" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Mail Order Surprise </b></i>by <a href="https://lucythompsonauthor.com/" target="_blank">Lucy Thompson</a></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mF1JMGO2FhU/Vy-4HFwx6OI/AAAAAAAACFY/UxnuJ4OE8Qg178g3Hr7EHgB-RpfgihisACPcB/s1600/mailor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mF1JMGO2FhU/Vy-4HFwx6OI/AAAAAAAACFY/UxnuJ4OE8Qg178g3Hr7EHgB-RpfgihisACPcB/s200/mailor.jpg" width="143" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Lightning on a Quiet Night</b></i> by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/authordonntaylor/" target="_blank">Donn Taylor</a></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3bPj1lQTHSI/V94FM4nKWZI/AAAAAAAACRw/My-zsuZtIHAzhV1SB9poBN4YgcBA2e7FQCPcB/s1600/23422528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3bPj1lQTHSI/V94FM4nKWZI/AAAAAAAACRw/My-zsuZtIHAzhV1SB9poBN4YgcBA2e7FQCPcB/s200/23422528.jpg" width="135" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">These
are just a few books selected from the reviews from Rebel Book Reviews.
I hope you would choose at least one, if not more, for those special
Christmas presents.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span>Daphne Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00392433374440291972noreply@blogger.com0