MONTHLY NEWSLETTER: May's Journey

May has been an awesome month! Where so many past months this year have been all about a certain project or a specific focus, this has been one of those fun, social seasons where The Writer actually emerged from the home office and interacted with the outside world!

I'm especially pleased to announce that I'm now an official member of the Novel Rocket team. After several months of sharing excerpts from the three Summerside devos for them on Sundays, I was asked by Gina, Ane and the crew to join them on a permanent basis. So I'll contribute devotions two Sundays a month, and I hope you'll watch for them.

Also this month, I celebrated birthdays with a couple of friends...enjoyed the Florida sunshine in those twenty minutes when the humidity was non-existent and it was a complete joy to leave my air-conditioned sanctuary...and I had the pleasure of participating in LifeWay Christian Stores' Fiction Days at mid-month.

Me with FB friend Claire Shanahan Bacon
and Amish fiction author Ruth Reid

The LifeWay in Citrus Park has been my Christian bookstore for many years, before my first book signing was even a twinkle in my eye! Maggie, the manager there, is one of my favorite booksellers, so it's always fun to visit her store.

Ruth Reid, a relatively new author of Amish fiction, signed as well, and we had a great time getting to know each other and chatting with readers that stopped by. Several of my Facebook followers came out and introduced themselves (including Claire, pictured here), and my writer buds Debby Mayne and Julie Pollitt lent their support as well. The couple of hours flew by, and several of us enjoyed a lovely lunch together afterward.

It's also been a very productive month as far as freelancing goes. I've worked on a couple of really fun editing/writing projects while working against the deadline for the first of my contracted books for River North Fiction. I'm sliding into home plate on that one, and I'll be able to start my next Abingdon book (for the Quilts of Love series) in just a couple of weeks.

One of the most exciting things that happened this month is that I was able - for the first time in years - to spend some time getting back to doing something I really love: I wrote two screenplays! Many of you know that my original writing aspirations took me to Hollywood back in the early 80s where I studied screenwriting. But when my mom became ill in Florida and I had to leave that part of my life behind to care for her, I found my way to writing books. Films and television have remained a real passion for me, and I never really gave up hope that I'd get back to it one day. So this month I completed a pilot script and a treatment for a series based on my Another Emma Rae Creation series that began with Always the Baker Never the Bride. And I enjoyed it so much that I dove into another one; this time, an original series not based on one of my books. So who knows what will come next!

Thanks to everyone for the tremendous support following the release of Book 3, Always the Designer Never the Bride. The reviews have been pretty spectacular, and I'm so grateful for the blessing of writing this wonderful series of novels. It's actually been a challenge to leave Emma and the gang behind and move on to new characters...but I don't suppose I'll ever completely move on without them!

So as my way of thanking you...Leave a comment here this week for a chance to win a free autographed copy of Designer! And don't forget to include your email address so I can notify you if you win.



Memorial Day

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,
and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

I am the daughter of a lifer Marine Corps officer. He didn't die for his country -- but he would have. No question. Robert D. Bricker was the most patriotic man I've met in my 50-cough years.

Memorial Day -- for me -- was always steaks sizzling on the grill, splashing around in the pool, late-night games of Scrabble, Yahtzee, Twister and Rack-O. But most of all, it was the red-white-and-blue flying high in the front yard from the flagpole that Officer Dad erected himself ... because no home was complete without a flagpole in the front yard for just such occasions as remembering those who fought for us to have the right to grill our steaks and splash in our pools without fear or worry or an interruption of our freedom.

So as you enjoy this beautiful long weekend, I hope you'll remember those men and women who laid down their lives for your right to do so.

And I hope you'll indulge me in this one last thought in the memory of my father:

Semper fi, Officer Dad!

READER LOVE: What I'm reading

Are you like me? I'm pretty much always reading something. My Kindle gets more use than my cell phone. And when I'm writing, I like to read something that's polar opposite from the words on the screen, so I often resort to memoirs or biographies during those times.

I really like Justin Halpern. He's the guy who wrote the book [Bleep] My Dad Says; the one that made it to the small screen for a short-lived series starring William Shatner. I like his sense of humor and his take on things. So while I'm writing If the Shoe Fits, a contemporary romantic comedy based on Cinderella, I picked up his new book, I Suck at Girls.

This guy cracks me up. If you've never read anything he's written -- and if you can stand a little potty mouth in your reading -- he is really insightful and funny. I love his take on things, particularly his crazy dad. As I'm reading, I keep picturing Shatner delivering his father's lines, which makes it all the more funny to me.

EXCERPT:

I sat across from my father in a booth at Pizza Nova, a small restaurant on the San Diego harbor.

"I have big news," I said, barely containing my smile.

"You're in trouble. Is it money? It's money," he said.

"What? No. Why would I say, 'I have big news,' if it was something bad?"

"'I have big news; I shot and killed a man.' See. That would be big news to tell someone," he said.

"People don't use that phrase that way," I said.

"Oh, I forgot, you're a writer. you know how everyone in the world [expletive] talks," he responded.

You can't drive a conversation with my dad. You have to let him drive it, yell directions to him when you can, and hold on until, God willing, you arrive safely at the destination you were hoping to reach. And it's even worse when he's hungry, which he was just then.

"Okay, well, I don't have bad big news then. I have good big news," I said, treading more carefully.

"Hit me with it," he said as he perused the menu.

"I'm going to propose to Amanda," I declared. I had finally said the words out loud to another human being. A giant weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

"Good for you. I think I'm going to get the romaine and watercress salad. I know I always get it, but it's tasty, and what the [bleep], right?" he said.

My dad's not a real excitable guy, but I'd been hoping for a better response than you'd get by telling someone, "I just won tickets to a Depeche Mode concert." I waited a few more moments, hoping maybe he had something more to add.

"You know what? I should get a pizza," he said, picking the menu back up again.

I fiddled with the straw in my iced tea, trying to figure out how to get back on track. He was the first person I'd told about my plan, and I was determined to get a response that matched how I was feeling.

"So, yep. I'm gonna propose. And then we're going to get married. I'm really excited," I said, staring at the menu in front of his face.

"Good stuff," he said from behind it.

"Dad. I'm telling you I'm getting married. I thought you'd be more excited about this. It's a big deal for me."

My dad pulled the menu down, revealing the same deadpan look he had as he sat through the Ashton Kutcher movie What Happens in Vegas after my mother rented it.

"Son, this is me excited. I don't know what you want from me. I'm happy for you and Amanda, and I like you both very much, but it's not a surprise. You've been dating her for four years. It ain't like you found a parallel [expletive] universe," he said before flagging down our waitress who came over and took our orders.


He makes me laugh. And it's a consistent laugh, all the way through. Another writer who does that for me is Nora Ephron. LOVE Nora. Everything about her. Her films are on my Top 10 List, and so are her books. She observes life a lot like Justin and I do. From the perspective of a fish-out-of-water, plunked down in a world that doesn't entirely fit us.

If you're one of us, I think you'll really enjoy Halpern's book. Give it a read. Help him go from millionaire to gazillionaire. Go ahead. I don't mind.

WORLD VIEW: Motherhood from another perspective

My name is Sophie Matilda Bricker. I'm an orange collie who likes naps on the sofa, chasing butterflies, lounging in the grass, and -- most of all -- a Mommie who lets me take over her blog!

It's Mother's Day ... and that's usually a rough day for my mom. She miscarried a (human) baby on this day a long time ago, and she still cries on Mother's Day every year. But today when she was crying, I crawled up into her lap and licked her face to let her know that there are all kinds of mommiehood, and I'm proof of that.

I was abandoned before I delivered the puppies in my belly, left on the street to fend for myself. It was really scary out there with lots of traffic, no clean water or kibbles, and not a toy in sight! But somehow (Mommie says it was God's angels that led me there) I made it into a crate and was taken to a place where lots of other dogs were in crates so we could all be shown off to potential moms and dads.

I saw my Mommie before she even crossed the parking lot. Something about her just told me she was The One. She tried to look away ... over at that fru-fru Cocker Spaniel in the corner! ... but I was determined. I gave her the Jedi stare until she came right to me and let me show her my stuff. I was still tired from delivering the puppies the week before, but I hopped all over her, kissing her and nuzzling her, making sure she knew that I was The One, too. She took me home that very day! And she showed me all sorts of things I never knew about ... like a toy box overflowing with squeaky toys, and a couple of soft beds in various rooms of her house. And oatmeal cookie treats out of a big glass jar. Oh, how I love that glass jar! Sometimes I just sit in front of the fridge and stare at it up there. Just because I can.

I later learned that my Mommie used to teach human kids at a church, and her pastor called her "The Pied Piper" because of the way they followed her around. They went to her with their problems and their fears, and a couple of times she even took them in to her house to live until things sorted out at home. Also, she's always been a real advocate for dogs like me. In California, she used to volunteer at shelters for orphan dogs. She would walk them and play with them and show them love so that they could find a little hope for finding their forever homes. She carried treats and squeaky toys in her pocket, and sometimes she gave them names that suited their personalities and helped get them baths to clean them up so someone might want to adopt them.

All my friends adore my Mom, and they probably think I'm the luckiest girl on the planet. And they're kind of right. There are all kinds of Mommies in the world, you know. Like I explained to my own mom this morning -- when I brought her my favorite toy and licked her face and nuzzled against her shoulder -- offering love and kindness to creatures of any kind makes you a special kind of mom to them.

So if you're reading this, and you feel sad because you don't have any human kids, or your human Mommie has gone to sleep, it's going to be okay. Just turn your love on some person or some dog -- okay, yes, even some cat -- and make them feel like there's a little hope in this life. That's an awesome kind of Mommie.

So to all of you human ladies who give hope to the hopeless or dry the tears of a human or puppy, who carry treats or Band-Aids in your pockets, make cookies or doggie bones for no other reason than to show your love ... Happy Mother's Day!

COFFEE CHAT: Adding the Visual Element

After Family Fiction named my trailer for Always the Wedding Planner Never the Bride as the #2 best book trailer in 2011, I've been approached by many people asking about the importance of trailers and how they're made, etc. So today I've decided to re-post a blog I did last year on the subject. I hope it answers some of your questions or, better yet, poses some new ones so that you get to thinking about the business end of our creativity as writers and publishers!

Enjoy!

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Grab a cuppa and listen in on COFFEE CHAT with myself, Julie Dowd (Senior Publicist at Abingdon Press) and Marian Miller (Producer of author interviews and book trailers at Marian Creates). Today’s topic is the use of trailers to add a visual element to marketing your book.

SANDIE: I had a conversation with an author bud this week about trailers and how to use them to sell your book. I know so many writers who maintain that, in the big picture, a trailer doesn’t do anything significant to increase sales, but I couldn’t disagree more. In fact, I think they play a key role in the marketing plan. If the trailer is a bad one or doesn’t hold a viewer’s interest, it presents the book as uninteresting as well. In so  many ways, I think it’s worse to have a bad or confusing trailer than to not have one at all. But to have a good one -- that's gold.

MARIAN: Well, you know I agree with that! In fact, the main objective I like to keep in mind as I work with an author to design a sneak peek into their book is that it’s going to be one of the most important things they can do to entice a reader. I like to think of my contribution as a visual press release.

SANDIE: That’s a great way to put it, and I agree wholeheartedly. I think the book trailer equates to a receptionist in the front office of your own business. She better have great references, she better be punctual, and she better present the best first impression possible for prospective clients because you might not get another chance.

MARIAN: In a recent LA Times article [by Richard Verrier, November 9, 2011], filmmaker Chris Roth said, “It's becoming less and less common to buy books by their cover. It's more about showing eye candy to reel them in.”

SANDIE: Speaking from experience, you definitely provide that eye candy in the trailers you do, Marian. I’ve gotten an enormous amount of positive feedback from all avenues -- from readers to retailers and publishers -- in regard to the ones you’ve done for me.

JULIE: And they don’t have to always be high concept. I like Sandie’s author interview where she talks about her writing, and it leads into her most recent trailer. [To view, click HERE.] 

SANDIE: Marian actually did them both; the trailer AND the author interview. The feedback has been tremendous. One of my favorites out there is Brandilyn Collins' author interview where she tells why she writes "Seatbelt Suspense." Everything about it, from music to the camera shots, identify her brand, and it makes the viewer really want to read her books.

JULIE: I’ve also seen some really good ones that are simple, like THIS ONE where an author chats about her latest book.

SANDIE: Right! I’ve seen a few of those where I thought how genius they were in their simplicity. And you know the overall cost was really reasonable because they probably shot the footage with their own Flip camera, and then turned it over to a professional to edit it and add the bookends.

MARIAN: That’s one way I’m able to offer such a good rate to my clients. Authors can provide video they’ve shot themselves, or I use stock photos and video clips, and the author writes the script. I firmly believe that no one knows their book and the characters in it better than the writer! It’s a completely collaborative process.

SANDIE: That should certainly be the plan. But recently, a writer friend told me a story about paying $2,500 for a professional filmmaker to put together a trailer for his high concept book, and the final product only remotely resembled his novel.

JULIE: You don't have to spend a lot of money. I've worked on trailers that cost $2000, but I've also created one for $50. Check out THIS PROMO VIDEO I did for our Christian Living titles at Abingdon Press. This was done through Animoto. All I did was upload cover images, typed in text, and picked the music. There are other sites like Animoto.com such as stupeflix.com, photoshow.com and more.

SANDIE: What are some more tips you both would offer authors who are thinking about creating a “visual press release,” as Marian puts it?

JULIE: The first thing I would say is to keep your trailer to no more than two minutes. One minute to a minute and a half is ideal.

MARIAN: Exactly! Often, I’ll receive a script from an author that will bring the finished product in at three minutes or more. I usually try my best to explain the marketing purpose of the trailer and, if I can, discourage them from telling every detail of the story with that one tool.

JULIE: Right. It's not necessary to tell the complete summary of the book. Consider movie trailers; how many times have you decided to see a movie based on a 90-second trailer? Sometimes you're not even sure exactly what the movie is about, but the trailer is produced in such way that it pulls you in. Think of quick phrases that would entice or intrigue readers to want to buy your book. HERE is a really good example of that.

SANDIE: I think the author can do a disservice to their efforts by over-selling their story.

MARIAN: At the same time, they have to really communicate those details to the person producing their book trailer. For instance, my typical style is clean and simple. But the author may want something completely different, and it's important that I know their expectations and hopes for the finished product. What kind of book have they written? And who are their readers? What style will best represent that author to his or her readers?

JULIE: That’s so true. Take some time to talk with the person before they begin working on the trailer. Let them know how you see the end product in your head and what you want viewers to take away from it. Do you want them to get goosebumps, teary-eyed, or giggly? You'd be surprised what can happen in a 90-second trailer. Ask the person to share their ideas with you about the trailer before they begin creating it. The best experiences with these things come when you work together to create something you're both happy with. Plus, you don't want them to get too far into the process and realize it's not exactly what you wanted. Also, ask them if they will help you promote the finished piece. Perhaps they have a website, YouTube channel, and social media channels geared toward showcasing their creations.

MARIAN: It’s so important to give me all of those details up front so there will be no surprises. The great thing about working with Sandie on her trailers is that she’s so organized and communicates clearly about what she wants. And if I don’t quite meet those expectations, she feels comfortable enough to tell me right away so I can adjust my thinking and give her something that she feels really represents her. Often, an author tries so hard to be polite that they fail to get the most important points across.

SANDIE: Yeah, I guess that’s not a challenge of mine.

MARIAN: (laughing) No. It’s not.

JULIE: If an author hires someone to create their video, they should provide examples of trailers that they believe do a great job of selling a book. Also, provide them with songs that have the style they're looking for.

SANDIE: So what do you both think is the MOST IMPORTANT THING an author should keep in mind?

MARIAN: I suppose, as a business owner, I would say it’s important to remember that the money you spend on a solid, professional trailer is an investment in your future. Of course you want to be frugal; but don’t pinch pennies either. This is a valuable and necessary business expense, and you want to get the best product that you can.

SANDIE: I remember a conversation I had with Maegan Roper when she was in Julie’s role at Abingdon, and she said that, when you have just five minutes with a retailer and you want to convince them that THIS is the book they want to buy, nothing says it better than a well-done 90-second video trailer. I was already a believer in trailers as a marketing tool, but that put me over the edge from producing them myself on Animoto to investing a little more with someone like Marian with the mad skills that I don’t have.

JULIE: I think the most important thing to remember is that this is your book, and the trailer is a representation of it. Be very specific when thinking about imagery, text, and music. What do those elements say about your book? Is it funny, sad, romantic, suspenseful, historical, mysterious, thrilling, or epic? Do the images convey the setting or characters?  Do the words give just enough info to reel the reader in? Does the music match the tone of the book?

SANDIE: And my pet peeve with so many of them out there: Check your text. Make sure it reads like a smooth narrative to place your book in the strongest possible light.

JULIE: And check your spelling!

MARIAN: That’s why God made spell-check. … And Sandie.

FAMILY FICTION: Always the Wedding Planner #8 - Novel of the Year

I was a big fan of Family Fiction before today, but ... Yeah. That much more.

Thank you so much to everyone who voted. I think any time a Christian author is named in the same list with Karen Kingsbury, there's a little celebration in order.

And for those of you who don't already realize what a GENIUS Marian Miller is at creating book trailers ... well ... you're a little slow.

Thank you, peeps! Your support means everything.

--Sandie

EXTRA, EXTRA: Random Recipes and Healthy Stuff

I've been working at the idea of becoming vigilant about my diet. Losing weight, sure. But mostly about picking up the pace with eating (and drinking) healthy. Last year's kidney failure was very much a wake-up call for my diet soda-drinking ways. So after that whole drama was FINALLY behind me, I made a list of changes I wanted to make.

1. Drink a ton more water. With a couple of minor setbacks, I've conquered this one. I'm drinking about 100 oz. of fresh water per day. In addition, I'm down to one cup of coffee every morning -- usually decaf, but not always -- in which I use one packet of Sweet 'n' Low. My diet soda ways are nearly a distant memory. I think I have one or two a week, at most. Sometimes none at all in a week.

2. Portion control. Let me say it again: PORTION CONTROL. It bears repeating because I've come to realize that portions are completely out of whack in our country, and they were especially wonky in my house! So my goal is to never eat a portion that is larger than my clenched fist. I've stopped trying to weigh everything because I don't keep up with it when I'm stressed or in a hurry or my blood sugar is dropping too fast. So since I pretty much always have my clenched fist with me for quick reference, it seemed like a good gauge. And it's working pretty well!

3. Eat more superfoods. The whole concept of superfoods is a new one for me. Let's face it, when you're a foodie, every food seems super. But from the list of the ten best on Web MD, I have used some of them as a replacement food for snacks that used to get me into trouble. My choices are: Low fat or fat-free plain Greek yogurt (great as a base for a dip with veggies) and/or the occasional glass of skim milk; eggs -- a food I'd nearly cut out completely until my doctor informed me that my cholesterol numbers are better than hers, and that eggs make a great protein for keeping blood sugars in check; nuts -- I now eat a handful of pistachios or raw almonds nearly every afternoon as a quick snack; green vegetables, like asparagus, broccoli and YES even kale -- steamed, but none of them raw (because raw makes me feel like I could float away!); sweet potatoes -- in nearly every form, I have come to love them far more than regular potatoes; berries -- blackberries are my favorite, but I'm also incorporating strawberries, raspberries and blueberries into what used to be a wholly berry-free diet.

4. Move. Every day. Without exception. I have lived an extremely sedentary life. I'm a writer, for crying out loud. The longer I'm on my fanny, the more I accomplish. However, I'm also a diabetic with neuropathy and a weight problem. So since the first of the year, I have tried (and failed only a few times) to move every day. Even if it's just a short walk outside, or a few five-minute spurts of crazy dancing and stretching throughout the day, or chasing the dog around the house with squeaky toys and balls -- I'm on the move.

So there you have it. My EXTRA, EXTRA for the month of April. And with it, I thought I'd give you a couple of recipes that have helped to keep me on track. If you hate kale as much as I do, you might really appreciate this first one.

KALE CHIFFONADE (which, it turns out, just means cutting the pieces into strips like rags): Rinse a bunch of kale with warm water and drain. Pick away the discolored or rough leaves. Slice them into 1/2-inch strips. Cook 3-4 slices turkey bacon (I do this in a microwave wrapped in paper towels, but you can do it however you like). Spray a pan with a bunch of butter-flavored Pam and toss in the kale. Cook for about 3 minutes until it becomes tender. Crumble the bacon into the warm kale and toss. Add about 2 Tablespoons of crumbled bleu cheese to the top and chow down immediately.

WAY COOL VEGGIE DIP: Mix 1 cup fat-free Greek yogurt (I like Fage or Oikos) with 6 Tablespoons fat-free sour cream and 1 packet Hidden Valley Ranch fat-free dressing mix. Add a sprinkle of cayenne or a few hits of Tabasco for an extra kick. This dip is so good with baby carrots, celery sticks and chunks of cucumber, and it stays in the fridge for several days.

MASHED SWEET POTATOES: Peel and chunk a large sweet potato and boil or nuke it until it's soft. Add 1 Tablespoon Light I Can't Believe It's Not Butter, a dash of salt, a squeeze of sugar-free syrup (I think Cary's is the best there is), and a splash of skim milk or non-dairy fat-free creamer. Beat until smooth. Or if you like your mashed potatoes lumpy, just use a large fork to smush them around until they're creamy with lumps. :-)