Good Evening Readers,
I'm having a good time researching the 1920's for my book Independence.
President Harry Truman grew up in Independence. After he married his bride, they lived in a nice house. It is worth the hop over to this site to see that gorgeous house.
The link below has some some interesting photos and history about President Truman's life in Independence and as President.
Click here to view this site.
Enjoy,
Donna
Monday, April 30, 2012
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Farm Machinery in the 1920's
Good evening readers,
I'm really getting into the research for my book set in the 1920's. I found these pictures of farmers working in the fields. Horse or mule drawn farm implements were common.
Tractors were introduced to some farms by then. Farming is hard work.
Click here to to see the pictures and read more about it.
Donna
I'm really getting into the research for my book set in the 1920's. I found these pictures of farmers working in the fields. Horse or mule drawn farm implements were common.
Tractors were introduced to some farms by then. Farming is hard work.
Click here to to see the pictures and read more about it.
Donna
Monday, April 23, 2012
Cars in the 1920's
Hello Readers,
I'm researching the setting for my new novel. It will take place in the 1920's. The 1920's were a fascinating time in history.
Today, I will feature automobiles. The Ford Motor Company was determined to make more cars available and affordable. Its factories used mass production techniques to produce larger quantities of vehicles. Due to higher wages more people were able to purchase cars.
Roads still catered to horse drawn wagons but that was about to change. Government realized the need for better roads and began steps towards improvements.
You can read more about cars in the 1920's by clicking here.
Happy reading,
Donna
I'm researching the setting for my new novel. It will take place in the 1920's. The 1920's were a fascinating time in history.
Today, I will feature automobiles. The Ford Motor Company was determined to make more cars available and affordable. Its factories used mass production techniques to produce larger quantities of vehicles. Due to higher wages more people were able to purchase cars.
Roads still catered to horse drawn wagons but that was about to change. Government realized the need for better roads and began steps towards improvements.
You can read more about cars in the 1920's by clicking here.
Happy reading,
Donna
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Quiet Moments
Quiet Moments
Quiet Moments Alone with God, Bethany House
Quiet Moments Alone with God welcomes you into a journey of discovery, where you will learn how to live in God's presence while you seek His plan for your life. Plan to spend some time getting to know the God Who wants you to stop, breathe, think and act out His very best for you.
Available at your local Christian Book stores, Amazon.com, Lifewaystores.com, Barnes and Noble, and select Walmarts
Woolworth Menu
Dear readers,
Here is a picture of the Woolworth menu from the 1950's. Check out those prices!
">For more information click here.
Donna
Thursday, April 19, 2012
My Agent
Good Evening Readers,
I now have an agent. I'm so excited about this stage of my writing journey.
You can click here to read more.
Donna
I now have an agent. I'm so excited about this stage of my writing journey.
You can click here to read more.
Donna
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Titanic: Legacy of Betrayal
Good evening readers,
We are hunkered down for a storm that promises rain and snow. In light of that, I'd like to recommend a book to my readers. Today is the 100th anniversary of the Titanic. Some fellow writer pals wrote a fiction novel with a setting based on the Titanic and it's aftermath.
Intriguing.
Click here for more information.
Donna
We are hunkered down for a storm that promises rain and snow. In light of that, I'd like to recommend a book to my readers. Today is the 100th anniversary of the Titanic. Some fellow writer pals wrote a fiction novel with a setting based on the Titanic and it's aftermath.
Intriguing.
Click here for more information.
Donna
Friday, April 13, 2012
The Valley of Dry Bones
Happy Friday Readers,
I hope you enjoy today's devotional.
The Valley of Dry Bones
Ezekiel 37:1-3 NLT: The LORD took hold of me, and I was carried away by the Spirit of the LORD to a valley filled with bones. He led me around among the old, dry bones that covered the valley floor. They were scattered everywhere across the ground. Then he asked me, "Son of man, can these bones become living people again?"
"O Sovereign LORD," I replied, "you alone know the answer to that."
We have all been through the valley of dry bones. We have each seen dreams that were never realized, loved ones that just don't seem to get it, jobs that fell through, things we have hoped and prayed for that just never seemed to come together.
Ezekiel had seen those things, too. He had seen a people who refused to listen to him as he preached God's word. He saw a nation that had turned its back on God, and he saw the enemies of God who seemed to be flourishing.
It was probably just as confusing for him as it has been for each one of us. We pray, we meditate, maybe we even fast – we do all the things we believe God has told us to do, and still – nothing.
And yet, in the midst of all of this, God is still in control. In the midst of seeming death and destruction is where God is able to prove Himself strong. How much more hopeless a picture could you paint than to see an entire valley floor littered with thousands and thousands of bones. Not just bones, but dead, dry bones.
The dream has been dead so long that the vultures have come along and stripped off every bit of flesh. And it wasn't just one or two dreams that have perished. Thousands and thousands.
And then along comes God to Ezekiel and says to him "Just speak the words I will give you." Sounds easy, doesn't it. "Just speak my words."
I'm pretty sure Ezekiel was thinking "Right, God. Like that will do any good."
I know I would have. I do. I have. I am, right now. How about you?
And yet Ezekiel did what God told him to do. Maybe he stepped out in faith. Maybe he was bored and had nothing better to do. Maybe he wanted to prove God wrong. Or maybe, just maybe, he knew he had nothing else to lose.
And so he spoke. And you know the rest of the story. The dry bones were turned into living and breathing people again.
And so it is with the dry bones in our lives. God is saying to you, "Just repeat after me. It doesn't really matter whether you believe or not. I believe. Lean on my faith."
And so as you are faced with your own valley of dry bones, think about Ezekiel. And then listen as God tells you what to say to those things in you that you thought were dead and buried. Those pieces of hopelessness that you had given up on.
And watch as He uses you to speak life and hope into those things. He wants to, and He will, if you will let Him.
Then He said to me, "Speak to these bones and say, ‘Dry bones, listen to the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Look! I am going to breathe into you and make you live again! I will put flesh and muscles on you and cover you with skin. I will put breath into you,
and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.'"
Heavenly Father, forgive me for putting aside those things You have spoken to me in the past because I didn't see them come to be. Where my faith is weak, strengthen me, and then allow me to speak life from You into those dry areas. Amen.
Donna
I hope you enjoy today's devotional.
The Valley of Dry Bones
Ezekiel 37:1-3 NLT: The LORD took hold of me, and I was carried away by the Spirit of the LORD to a valley filled with bones. He led me around among the old, dry bones that covered the valley floor. They were scattered everywhere across the ground. Then he asked me, "Son of man, can these bones become living people again?"
"O Sovereign LORD," I replied, "you alone know the answer to that."
We have all been through the valley of dry bones. We have each seen dreams that were never realized, loved ones that just don't seem to get it, jobs that fell through, things we have hoped and prayed for that just never seemed to come together.
Ezekiel had seen those things, too. He had seen a people who refused to listen to him as he preached God's word. He saw a nation that had turned its back on God, and he saw the enemies of God who seemed to be flourishing.
It was probably just as confusing for him as it has been for each one of us. We pray, we meditate, maybe we even fast – we do all the things we believe God has told us to do, and still – nothing.
And yet, in the midst of all of this, God is still in control. In the midst of seeming death and destruction is where God is able to prove Himself strong. How much more hopeless a picture could you paint than to see an entire valley floor littered with thousands and thousands of bones. Not just bones, but dead, dry bones.
The dream has been dead so long that the vultures have come along and stripped off every bit of flesh. And it wasn't just one or two dreams that have perished. Thousands and thousands.
And then along comes God to Ezekiel and says to him "Just speak the words I will give you." Sounds easy, doesn't it. "Just speak my words."
I'm pretty sure Ezekiel was thinking "Right, God. Like that will do any good."
I know I would have. I do. I have. I am, right now. How about you?
And yet Ezekiel did what God told him to do. Maybe he stepped out in faith. Maybe he was bored and had nothing better to do. Maybe he wanted to prove God wrong. Or maybe, just maybe, he knew he had nothing else to lose.
And so he spoke. And you know the rest of the story. The dry bones were turned into living and breathing people again.
And so it is with the dry bones in our lives. God is saying to you, "Just repeat after me. It doesn't really matter whether you believe or not. I believe. Lean on my faith."
And so as you are faced with your own valley of dry bones, think about Ezekiel. And then listen as God tells you what to say to those things in you that you thought were dead and buried. Those pieces of hopelessness that you had given up on.
And watch as He uses you to speak life and hope into those things. He wants to, and He will, if you will let Him.
Then He said to me, "Speak to these bones and say, ‘Dry bones, listen to the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Look! I am going to breathe into you and make you live again! I will put flesh and muscles on you and cover you with skin. I will put breath into you,
and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.'"
Heavenly Father, forgive me for putting aside those things You have spoken to me in the past because I didn't see them come to be. Where my faith is weak, strengthen me, and then allow me to speak life from You into those dry areas. Amen.
Donna
Monday, April 9, 2012
Colorado Christian Writers Conference
Hi,
The Colorado Christian Writers Conference is a great way to learn more about the craft of writing, network with fellow writers, and meet editors and publishers.
There will be over sixty agents, editors, and authors in attendance. There will be seven general sessions, eight continuing sessions, fifty-nine workshops, clinics, and panels. Plus attendees can sign up to have four one-on-one appointments with the faculty.
The conference is fantastic. If you are interested in learning more you can click here.
Donna
The Colorado Christian Writers Conference is a great way to learn more about the craft of writing, network with fellow writers, and meet editors and publishers.
There will be over sixty agents, editors, and authors in attendance. There will be seven general sessions, eight continuing sessions, fifty-nine workshops, clinics, and panels. Plus attendees can sign up to have four one-on-one appointments with the faculty.
The conference is fantastic. If you are interested in learning more you can click here.
Donna
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Historical Research
Good evening,
It is important to research for background information in writing a historical novel.
I have enjoyed the research I have done while writing my novels. I've met some great people and learned some fascinating things about history.
I highly recommend research trips. You can read more about some of mine by clicking here.
Enjoy,
Donna
It is important to research for background information in writing a historical novel.
I have enjoyed the research I have done while writing my novels. I've met some great people and learned some fascinating things about history.
I highly recommend research trips. You can read more about some of mine by clicking here.
Enjoy,
Donna
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
The Therapy Couch
The Therapy Couch
Developing a main character for your novel can be like trying to identify the perfect, already-house-trained never-will-chew-on-your-shoes won’t-keep-you-up-all-night-barking-or-howling Labrador puppy from a litter of a hundred identical little balls of fur.
You can’t really tell what the finished product is going to be like until you live with it for a while.
As writers, how do we live with our characters? We write about them. We talk to them. We let them talk to us. We let them surprise us when they do something we weren’t expecting. We keep on writing when they reveal some aspect of their past we knew nothing about, even though we’re secretly peeved. Having a character hold out on you can be like having your best friend keep a secret.
Another really cool way I’ve discovered to examine your character and get down to the nitty-gritty of who they are and what drives them is through an analysis. Jeannie Campbell at offers a great service where you answer questions about your character’s background and life, and she offers insight into what actually constitutes your character’s Goal, Motivation, and Conflict. She is a licensed family and marriage counselor, and for a small fee, she will provide you at least 3 pages of analysis for your character.
Investing in this analysis can save your sanity – really. Your characters will be more realistic, your plot will flow smoother, and you will come away with a better structured novel. In addition, she has a blog, a newsletter, free articles on writing, and she offers several ebooks on grief, personality types and disorders, and on creating rich back stories.
When I submitted my questionnaire to her, she came back with an in-depth analysis of my character, which, I’ll admit, was a little autobiographical – aren’t most of our characters? She also included several suggestions on scenes that would strengthen the reader’s understanding of why my character does what she does, and a scene where my character will be confronted by a conflict between her behavior and her intentions – always a sure way to build conflict within your character.
Click here to check out her website. Tell her I recommended you visit. She’ll remember me. I’m the one who retrieved my stolen bicycle and got a little payback at the same time.
Donna
Developing a main character for your novel can be like trying to identify the perfect, already-house-trained never-will-chew-on-your-shoes won’t-keep-you-up-all-night-barking-or-howling Labrador puppy from a litter of a hundred identical little balls of fur.
You can’t really tell what the finished product is going to be like until you live with it for a while.
As writers, how do we live with our characters? We write about them. We talk to them. We let them talk to us. We let them surprise us when they do something we weren’t expecting. We keep on writing when they reveal some aspect of their past we knew nothing about, even though we’re secretly peeved. Having a character hold out on you can be like having your best friend keep a secret.
Another really cool way I’ve discovered to examine your character and get down to the nitty-gritty of who they are and what drives them is through an analysis. Jeannie Campbell at offers a great service where you answer questions about your character’s background and life, and she offers insight into what actually constitutes your character’s Goal, Motivation, and Conflict. She is a licensed family and marriage counselor, and for a small fee, she will provide you at least 3 pages of analysis for your character.
Investing in this analysis can save your sanity – really. Your characters will be more realistic, your plot will flow smoother, and you will come away with a better structured novel. In addition, she has a blog, a newsletter, free articles on writing, and she offers several ebooks on grief, personality types and disorders, and on creating rich back stories.
When I submitted my questionnaire to her, she came back with an in-depth analysis of my character, which, I’ll admit, was a little autobiographical – aren’t most of our characters? She also included several suggestions on scenes that would strengthen the reader’s understanding of why my character does what she does, and a scene where my character will be confronted by a conflict between her behavior and her intentions – always a sure way to build conflict within your character.
Click here to check out her website. Tell her I recommended you visit. She’ll remember me. I’m the one who retrieved my stolen bicycle and got a little payback at the same time.
Donna
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