Why Don’t You Like Me?

Posted on: by Sandra Orchard
Which character in the book do you most relate to and why?
A heroine you’d like?
That’s question number two at the back of Deep Cover, and it led to an interesting discussion recently among my writing friends.
We were trying to discern if there is a connection between our own personality types and the heroines in the books we enjoy most. Or if the heroines we admire have personalities we aspire to, but don’t necessarily have.
As a child of British parents, I learned that one should keep their emotions under wraps. I learned to esteem a stoic outlook of circumstances, and see crying as a weakness. Not necessarily healthy, and certainly not taught consciously, but that’s the way it was.
As a result, I don’t have much patience for weepy heroines.
That’s not to say, I don’t like women-in-jeopardy stories. I do. I love to read about a protective hero, rescuing and cherishing the woman he loves.
A Likable Heroine?
Similarly, I’m a highly task-oriented, type A personality. When I read the list of characteristics of that kind of personality, I see them as positive qualities. Others read those same characteristics and see many of them as negatives.
Likewise, when they see those characteristics in a heroine, they’ll see her as unlikable while other readers may admire her. 
Then, of course, there’s the influence of our first impression based on the cover are picture.
Interesting, isn’t it?
Your turn: What kind of hero or heroine do you most relate to and why? Do they share the same kind of personality as you, or attributes you aspire to have?

Smile!

Posted on: by Sandra Orchard
Have you ever noticed how people tend to watch babies?
I mean sit and stare at them, waiting for them to do something cute. I caught myself doing this to my six-month-old grand daughter this week and wondered how she felt about always being stared at.
After all if I sat in the living room and stared at my hubby or daughter that way, they’d get downright fidgety. In less than a minute, they’d be swiping at their noses, thinking they had something on their face, saying, “What? What?” 
Think about it. It’s a wonder babies don’t get a complex from how people stare at them!

But I’ve decided that baby-watching is incredibly therapeutic…watching happy babies, anyways.
The experts say that smiling and laughing are good for your health. And when a baby smiles, who can help but smile back?
And when they laugh, I mean really belly laugh at the silliest of things, I defy anyone to hold back a chuckle. 
So… when my uncooperative story has me pulling out my hair trying to figure out how to make it behave… which seems to be daily these days… I drop in on my daughter and get a baby-fix!!
Your turn: What do you do to help pick yourself up when you’re feeling out of sorts?

Unlawfully Wedded Bride – Character Interview

Posted on: by Sandra Orchard

I have the pleasure of introducing to you to a young debut author with Love Inspired Historicals, Noelle Marchand, and her endearing heroine.

Noelle Marchand’s love of literature began as a child when she would spend hours reading beneath the covers long after she was supposed to be asleep. Over the years, God began prompting her to write by placing ideas for stories in her head. Eventually, those stories became like “fire shut up in her bones” leading her to complete her first novel by her sixteenth birthday.

Now, at the age of twenty-two, that fire of inspiration continues to burn. Her first published novel, Unlawfully Wedded Bride, will be on store shelves October 2011. She is currently working on her fourth novel.

Noelle is a Houston-native who will graduate from Houston Baptist University. She is currently a senior double majoring in Mass Communication with a focus in journalism and Speech Communication. She has gained writing, editorial, and publishing experience by working for HBU’s student newspaper. 
Kate O’Brien is the heroine of Unlawfully Wedded Bride and I’ve asked her a few questions…
1) Your younger siblings, Sean and Ellie, have hinted to me that you may be a bit of a workaholic. Is that true? What do you usually do for fun?
I think Sean and Ellie are exaggerating a bit. I just do what has to be done to keep our farm going. If that means I work hard then I work hard. As for fun…I guess I haven’t thought about that much since my parents died. Although since Nathan Rutledge arrived I guess you could say things have become more fun if that means exciting and unpredictable.
2) When did you first realize someone is trying to kill you? Describe how you felt?
Someone’s trying to kill me? Don’t be silly. Is this another rumor started by Mrs. Greene or Andrew Stolvins? If so, I can tell you it isn’t true.

3) What made you choose Peppin, TX as your home? Can you tell us a little about the place?
Well, my family moved to Peppin from Illinois when I was just a child. It is a small town with a very close-knit community. Everyone knows what everyone else is doing almost before they do it. It can be a bit disconcerting at times but good because we all look out for each other.
4) How did you meet Nathan Rutledge? What did you think about him the first time you met?
I met Nathan Rutledge when he showed up at my farm claiming to be my husband. I admit I thought he was handsome. I also thought he was slightly delusional until he showed me the marriage certificate then I saw him in an entirely new light. After all, he gave up his former life as a rancher to marry me and help me with the farm. It was a nice if unnecessary gesture. I may miss him just a little after we get the annulment and he goes back to wherever he came from.

5) Showed you a marriage certificate?! How could you possibly think it was real? You’d have to sign it. 

I had. In a moment of desperation when I realized that I needed a husband to get a loan from the bank and save the farm, I’d signed an absentee affidavit. But then I decided to try to find a less drastic way to go about things and never intended to send it. Except Sean found it and sent it off. 

6) What are your strengths and weaknesses?
My strengths are that I am a strong, determined, independent woman. My weaknesses… well, some have said that I’m too strong, determined and independent for my own good.

7) What do you value above all else?
Family. My siblings mean everything to me. I’d do anything to keep us together and protect my parent’s legacy.
8) What do you admire about the hero?
He isn’t afraid of hard work. He makes Sean and Ellie laugh. He is also very kind.
9) Why could you never see yourself ending up with the hero?
I’m pretty sure I don’t need a hero. In fact, I’m positive I don’t. I’ve been doing pretty well by myself.  I’m not interested in depending on a man so I guess that’s why I couldn’t see myself with him.
10) What’s your greatest fear?
My greatest fear is letting my parents down by not taking care of my siblings. I’ve been doing my best to provide for them. If I’m honest, I’m afraid that won’t be enough.
11) What is the one thing you would never do?
Work at the Red Canteen Saloon. My former beau (if you can call Andrew Stolvins that) has offered me a position several times. I would never accept it.
12) If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I have a bit of a temper. I suppose it would be nice to be a bit more level-headed. 
Thank you Kate for visiting with us today. 
If you’d like to read Kate O’Brien’s complete story, look for Noelle’s book in stores this month. 

Kate O’Brien can’t believe her ears. She’s been married, by proxy, to a man she’s never met, thanks to her young siblings’ meddling! Kate offers her “groom” room and board at her farm until the annulment is granted—nothing more. After all, what else could this predicament be but a blunder that needs fixing?
Nathan Rutledge arrives on Kate’s doorstep, seeking a fresh start—with a family that needs his help more than Kate will admit. The shadows in both their pasts will be no match for a bright new beginning. But first, he has to convince a woman frightened of love to throw caution to the Texas wind… 
If you’d like to learn more about Noelle and her books, visit her online at: http://www.noellemarchand.com

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!

Posted on: by Sandra Orchard

It’s Thanksgiving Day in Canada and I’m celebrating!

We have much to be thankful for living in this country. The leaves beginning to show their glorious colors is yet one more example of God’s faithfulness through the changing seasons of our lives. 
This year we’ve celebrated the birth of a grandbaby and the debut of my first novel, we’ve mourned the loss of a dear friend, and continue to journey through some serious health concerns within our family, and through it all we have felt God’s love and comfort and have been blessed with many friends who enfold us in their prayers.
My heart overflows with thankfulness. Thank you for stopping by today!
Your turn: What are you thankful for?

Rediscover the child inside…

Posted on: by Sandra Orchard

Lately I’ve been looking at characterization in an entirely new light. I’ve been watching my baby grand daughter discover the world.

She approaches every new experience with a sense of wonderment and awe, from lingering over the texture of carpet fibers to delighting in the sound of clanging one block against another.

And watching how a baby explores the world adds new meaning to the verse “taste and see that the Lord is good.” Everything goes in the mouth!

As a writer, I’ve learned to linger over sensory details at key emotional turning points in my stories to draw the reader deeper into the moment. Because of that, I find myself spending more time modelling my grandbaby, and really noticing the sights and sounds and smells and textures around me.

One of the blessings of being a writer is having an excuse to stop and smell the flowers or pause long enough to feel the warmth of the sun on my cheeks or to listen to the patter of rain on the window pane.

It always amazes me how pausing to delight in the smallest of things awakens the child inside and refills the soul. And I’m reminded of Jesus’ statement that we must become like little children.

Your turn: What have you delighted in this week?

Seeing God’s Hand in Your Journey

Posted on: by Sandra Orchard
   
This summer my husband and I visited Algonquin National Park in Northern Ontario, a wilderness brimming with pristine lakes, winding rivers and spectacular views. Being avid hikers, we chose one of the more difficult climbs, and as we sweated our way up a very steep, very long incline, I began contemplating how very much like the writing journey this hike was becoming.

A few mosquitoes buzzed around taking chunks out of me, not unlike how I felt after reading the first few critiques of my writing.
The air was unusually humid and several times we were tempted to stop and turn back. Then we’d arrive at a plateau and feel the sweet cooling breezes and catch a glimpse of the spectacular view awaiting us at the top.
And once again I found myself contrasting the experience to my writing journey. How in a similar way, God had given me little glimpses of hope to refresh and to encourage and to spur me to keep moving forward.
As my husband and I pressed onward and upward, my mantra became you can’t see the view if you don’t climb the height. Sure I could experience it vicariously by listening to others rave about it, or by looking at photos, but part of what makes the view so very spectacular is the effort required to get there. 
I honestly don’t think I would have appreciated it nearly as much if I’d simply been able to pull up in my car and snap the photo. And I wondered if I’d have felt the same way if getting published had been easy, if the first novel I’d written had immediately found a home and launched my writing career. Somehow, I don’t think I would have savored the accomplishment nearly as much.

In the same way, the photo doesn’t do the view justice. You can’t feel the breeze on your face, hear the cry of an eagle soaring overhead or the rustle of the leaves, or smell the heat on the rocks or the scent of pine. Neither do you feel your pounding heart begin to slow as you recover from the climb.
As I stood at the height soaking in the spectacular view, Psalm 121 came to mind:
1I lift up my eyes to the hills—
   where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
   the Maker of heaven and earth.
And I was filled with a profound gratitude for the arduous journey toward publication, because it taught me to lean wholly on Him, to follow where he leads and trust in Him for the fruit. 
Your Turn: We all face difficult journeys in our life whether they be dreams we aspire to, or are situations thrust upon us. What glimpses of God’s hand have you seen in your journey? 

Where Does Your Strength Come From?

Posted on: by Sandra Orchard
With the ACFW hoopla behind me, I’m finally returning to the primary focus of this blog—conversations about characters.

At the end of Deep Cover, the hero realizes that he’s been trusting in his own strength to protect the heroine, rather than God’s. 
Believers often seek God’s help or guidance as a last resort, don’t we?
Or, like me, we go to Him, but… sometimes we don’t stay still long enough to hear His answer.
With so many things vying for our time and attention, oftentimes, it’s difficult to shut out the clatter and just rest in Him.
But how sweet the experience of that rest. 
Your turn: Do you find yourself going to God first, or as a last resort?

And the Winner is…

Posted on: by Sandra Orchard
FB Fan Donna U. 
Congratulations!!! You’ve won a $25 gift certificate to your favorite online book retailer. 
Please email me to let me know which retailer you prefer.

Identities Revealed…

Posted on: by Sandra Orchard

For those who are wondering who all the smiling Love Inspired Authors were in Wednesday’s Post …

The answers are:

#1 Kathryn Springer and hubby
#2 Debra Clopton and hubby
#3 Kelly Anne Riley
#4 Merrillee Whren
#5 Betsy St. Amant
#6 Liz Johnson
#7 Naomi Rawlings
#8 Camy Tang
#9 Debbie Guisti
#10 Janet Dean
#11 Allie Plieter
#12 Irene Hannon
#13 Ruth Logan Herne
#14 Laurie Kingery
#15 Sherri Shackelford
#16 Lenora Worth
#17 Linda Goodnight
#18 Gail Gaymer Martin
#19 Roxanne Rustand
#20 Lyn Cote
#21 Terri Reed
#22 Leann Harris
Editor #1 Melissa Endlich

Editor #2 Elizabeth Mazer

Jackie Smith wins a signed copy of Deep Cover for guessing the most right first. 

Thank you to all who participated! 

Fun Friday – When Truth is Stranger than Fiction

Posted on: by Sandra Orchard

I like to watch people when I’m traveling. It’s a wonderful opportunity to gain character ideas.

I struck gold on my flight home from the ACFW conference this past Sunday.

When the plane stopped, a six foot, broad-shouldered guy sitting in the seat in front of me jumped into the narrow aisle and began tugging his carry-on luggage out of the overhead compartment.

At the same time, the woman across the aisle from him rose to retrieve her bag.

The next thing we know she’s gasping for air!

The man’s shoulder has her face pinned to the overhead compartment. I’m talking her cheek smushed against the plastic, her body shoved halfway underneath.

And he doesn’t realize it!

Neither does her husband who is still in his seat texting on his cell phone!!

My seatmate laughed so hard she cried. (After the woman was unpinned, of course. Then we were wishing we’d gotten it on video!)

This is definitely proof that broad-shouldered men do not necessarily a hero make. 😀

Your Turn: Have you witnessed an unbelievably bizarre or comedic moment?