Blog Tour! Embrace me by Lisa Samson

Biting and gentle, hard-edged and hopeful…a beautiful fable of love and power, hiding and seeking, woundedness and redemption.When a “lizard woman,” a self-mutilating preacher, a tattooed monk, and a sleazy lobbyist find themselves in the same North Carolina town one winter, their lives are edging precariously close to disaster…and improbably close to grace.

 

In Embrace Me, the latest novel by acclaimed author Lisa Samson, readers are privy to the realization that regardless of outward appearances…hideous, attractive, or even ordinary…persons are all looking for the same things: love, forgiveness, and redemption.

This story explores a world that is neither comfortable nor safe, a world that people like Valentine know all too well. Masterfully crafted by Samson and populated by her most compelling cast of characters yet. It is a tale of forgiveness that extends into all spheres of life: forgiving others, forgiving oneself, forgiving the past.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1595542108

Finding Your Voice

So as I’m writing this, I’m listening to John Mayer and I have to say that I just love his voice. My aunt happens to be a major JM fan and got me hooked. Right now I’m thinking of how amazing it is that God gave us such unique voices. There are a few people I can think of–that just hearing the sound of their voice makes me smile. Some voices are comforting to me–my dad, Jeff, Sara, etc. Other voices make me stop and listen. But some voices just make me smile. I love that.

I’m not crazy about my own voice. I think that’s pretty normal–I hate hearing my voice on voicemail or whatever. Maybe it’s hard for us to know what we really sound like. I don’t know. But in writing, I have to find my voice and learn to like it or change it. Recognizing voice in writing is rather important for writers–and editors. I worked on a book last year and once I finished the edit, the authors thanked me for preserving their voice even through the changes. For an editor, it’s necessary to recognize the author’s voice and hold on to that through the edit. And as for the writer, it’s just as necessary to find your voice and go with it. This might look different in nonfiction and fiction, but I think it’s true for both. I sent Chip a proposal the other day. He had some really helpful insight–basically I reread my proposal and decided I sounded schizophrenic. My voice was all over the place. Some of it just didn’t sound like me, which is okay sometimes. I think it’s fine for people to reach outside where they usually stay and try something new. But knowing your voice, and writing in such a way that the reader recognizes and appreciates your voice, is something that sets you apart–makes you unique. I don’t want to sound like someone else. I want to sound like me. I want my words to be mine, to reflect who I am, not someone else. Maybe this comes easier for some people than others. Probably. Most things seem to work that way. And that’s okay with me.

John Mayer is singing and I’m thinking that it’s so much easier for him. He sings and there it is–his voice, no doubt about it. Writing is a different sort of outlet. But once you’ve found your voice, it can be just as beautiful, just as intense, just as charming, just as humorous–it’s you. On paper.

Mother’s Day

 

 

So I’m posting a picture of my mom, Blanca Vela Brumble, this Mother’s Day. My mom sent me flowers yesterday in honor of this holiday and I was thinking of how that’s a first. Not her sending me flowers, but definitely her sending me flowers on Mother’s Day. And somehow, her acknowledging this transition in my life, and celebrating it, makes me feel so much better. The transition from the idea of just being a daughter and sister and wife–to also a mother, is something big for me and honestly, can make me feel like panicking–depending on my current emotional state. The flowers from my mom were just what I needed. And I realized that she’s still being my mother, and showing me how to be one.

As I’m sitting here, my little one inside is jumping and kicking and reminding me that she’s not going anywhere. We’re in this thing together.

So, a very Happy Mother’s Day to all moms, but especially to a short, Mexican woman named Blanca who makes really good migas and who loves catastrophic movies, who can apply make-up while driving and who will take charge if necessary but who has no problem falling asleep mid-sentence. Who likes coffee in the mornings and loves to laugh. Who has soft hands and can rattle off in Spanish with her sisters. She turns the radio up in the car and has a Look that means she’s serious and we better straighten up. Mom, I love you. I really, really do.

Your audience

I’ve mentioned before that Jeff and I go to a small group through our church. One of the things that has been interesting during our Bible study is learning the history behind the scriptures we’re reading. Knowing who the author was speaking to and the cultural context makes such a difference in understanding some of what he’s saying. Of course, with scripture we can go even further. We find ways to apply those truths to our lives today. But sometimes the author was speaking to a specific audience–and we might not always relate.

I met with an author today to go over a portion of a manuscript that she and I are working on together. We talked about whether we were speaking to a directly Christian audience or speaking more to a crossover audience. It’s not that the message needed to change either way–but the presentation might.

For a writer–knowing who you’re talking to is pretty important. When putting together a proposal, there’s always that section that needs to be clarified: intended audience. Usually there’s a secondary audience–sometimes even room to write in a tertiary audience. But that target audience matters.

Again, it’s not necessarily about changing your message depending on who’s reading your stuff–but the presentation might need to be reworked a little.

As our small group is making our way through 1 Peter, we stop to talk about the people Peter is talking to, the cultural expectations of that time, and Peter himself–his personality, his experience with Christ, his personal faith. And I’ve noticed that the picture gets clearer as the details come into focus.

Blog Tour! Hollywood Nobody by Lisa Samson

Hollywood Nobody: Sunday, June 4
Well, Nobodies, it’s a wrap! Jeremy’s latest film, yet another remake of The Great Gatsby, now titled Green Light, has shipped out from location and will be going into postproduction. Look for it next spring in theaters. It may just be his most widely distributed film yet with Annette Bening on board. Toledo Island will never be the same after that wacky bunch filled in their shores.

Today’s Hottie Watch: Seth Haas has moved to Hollywood. An obscure film he did in college, Catching Regina’s Heels (a five-star film in my opinion), was mentioned on the Today show last week. He was interviewed on NPR’s Fresh Air. Hmm. Could it be he’ll receive the widespread acclaim he deserves before the release of Green Light? For his sake and the film’s, I hope so.

Rehab Alert: I’ve never hidden the fact that I don’t care for bratty actress Karissa Bonano, but she just checked into rehab for a cocaine addiction. Her maternal grandfather, Doug Fairmore, famous in the forties for swashbuckling and digging up clues, made a public statement declaring the Royal Family of Hollywood was “indeed throwing all of our love, support, and prayers behind Karissa.” The man must be a thousand years old by now. This isn’t Ms. Bonano’s first stint in rehab, but let’s hope it’s her last. Even I’m not too catty to wish her well in this battle. But I’m as skeptical as the next person. In Hollywood, rehab is mostly just a fad.

Today’s Quote: “It’s a scientific fact. For every year a person lives in Hollywood, they lose two points of their IQ.” Truman Capote

Today’s Rant: SWAG, or Party Favors. Folks, do you ever wonder what’s inside those SWAG bags the stars get? Items which, if sold, could feed a third-world country for a week! And have you noticed how the people who can afford to buy this stuff seem to get it for free? I’m just sayin’. So here’s my idea, stars: Refuse to take these high-priced bags o’ stuff and gently suggest the advertisers give to a charitable organization on behalf of the movie, the stars, the whoever. Like you need another cell phone.

Today’s Kudo: Violette Dillinger will be appearing on the MTV Video Music Awards in August. She told Hollywood Nobody she’s going to prove to this crowd you can be young, elegant, decent, and still rock out. Go Violette!

Summer calls. Later!

To read the full first chapter, go to http://fictioninrathershorttakes.blogspot.com/