tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77678882024-03-07T17:02:01.440-05:00Rachel Writes...Novelist, wife, friend, sister, daughter, Book Therapist, above all Loved by Jesus! I write the book I love to read!Rachel Hauckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481185182145667961noreply@blogger.comBlogger983125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767888.post-68343720331053850682013-01-01T09:44:00.002-05:002013-01-01T09:44:45.087-05:00Announcing my new web site debut on January 7th<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Happy New Year all! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Next Monday I'll be debuting my new web site and as a bonus to faithful readers, a glimpse of Once Upon A Prince.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Also, as you sign up for my newsletter, I'll be drawing winners to receive an Advance Reader Copy of Once Upon A Prince.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Blessings to you all. I appreciate you!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13bcm76Ab0y1J7JdFTlhyLe2_VQs-CjIb5FILlQ6y5nDnTZ62mwa6TBEptpv-BY-ME34KPHG088giF5JdVLGxz0TSQYRv-oGEuQ6LlglyiPMtN9EXJqwSZBmZINnC0VAaAeCzFw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-01-01+at+9.42.39+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13bcm76Ab0y1J7JdFTlhyLe2_VQs-CjIb5FILlQ6y5nDnTZ62mwa6TBEptpv-BY-ME34KPHG088giF5JdVLGxz0TSQYRv-oGEuQ6LlglyiPMtN9EXJqwSZBmZINnC0VAaAeCzFw/s320/Screen+Shot+2013-01-01+at+9.42.39+AM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Web site preview!<br /></td></tr>
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Rachel Hauckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481185182145667961noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767888.post-8774721982217816272012-12-26T00:00:00.001-05:002012-12-26T00:02:02.978-05:00Emanuel, God with us.<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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVOTDSeaguHk6JnAbe-y0rPprSACTqUY9NJS-2Q64agKJqIYeoTmvgpKeHn1NFJ0TBgLwZfno6YKMVd3n50RTqmhHN_NMAGnnLiGyyVLL0M-6mB4piXTCpZk-4hhfh8qLMIeLog/s1600/CSC_0183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVOTDSeaguHk6JnAbe-y0rPprSACTqUY9NJS-2Q64agKJqIYeoTmvgpKeHn1NFJ0TBgLwZfno6YKMVd3n50RTqmhHN_NMAGnnLiGyyVLL0M-6mB4piXTCpZk-4hhfh8qLMIeLog/s400/CSC_0183.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All is bright</td></tr>
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Christmas night with only seventeen minutes remaining of day. My heart is full. Joy is evident. I'm in Tennessee with my husband and my family, and beyond the window, the night is thick with a cool rain.<br />
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Growing up, I hated the end of Christmas. No more glorious music. No more Christmas specials or holiday movies. Soon the lights in neighborhood yards will be taken down and off we go on day-in and day-out.<br />
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What is it about Christmas that makes us all stop and... hope. Believe? The lore of Santa Claus is about anticipating the "wow" of life. To believe the impossible.<br />
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Knowing and loving a big, amazing God makes the impossible seems possible. Even more, seem plausible. Why not here? Why not now? Why not me? You?<br />
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As much as I hate the end of the Christmas season, the New Year is chance for new hope and new joy. To set goals and face challenges. There's just something about a new year that says "reboot." Start over. Begin again.<br />
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Like the picture, life can seem very black and white at times. But there is always the color of Love and the dazzle of Promise that reminds us of what <i>this</i> is all about -- Emanuel. God with us!<br />
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<br />Rachel Hauckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481185182145667961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767888.post-74485473325719321072012-12-22T16:29:00.003-05:002012-12-22T16:30:51.901-05:00Great Christmas Reads for Only $3.99<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjompTgM6E2yt5G1ekWfHUO-j1Ja9sD6Fsh8xYFGs-BMmD9ZqJwpUucfof1FxLjuxFnYAbCbKH5CMvP404Gu7IrbJrNG5OZr6DkKdR7ixfefXYUigc6Rh38CfpYsMZKYHBCqCXfYA/s1600/TN-winterheader.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjompTgM6E2yt5G1ekWfHUO-j1Ja9sD6Fsh8xYFGs-BMmD9ZqJwpUucfof1FxLjuxFnYAbCbKH5CMvP404Gu7IrbJrNG5OZr6DkKdR7ixfefXYUigc6Rh38CfpYsMZKYHBCqCXfYA/s400/TN-winterheader.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Here's the link! <span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><span class="yiv2004461922Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1356211382635_2687" style="background-color: white; color: #454545; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><a href="http://bit.ly/TdszpP" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1356211382635_2686" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2862c5; outline: 0px;" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1356211409_0">http://bit.ly/TdszpP</span></a>. </span></span></td></tr>
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<br />Rachel Hauckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481185182145667961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767888.post-52360235668882797692012-12-20T03:00:00.000-05:002012-12-20T03:00:19.810-05:00Merry Christmas from Me to You<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Joy to the World! Christmas is such a magical and charming time of year. It warms our hearts, reminds us of peace and hope.</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">The other day as I was playing a Christmas Carol, "Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee," on the piano, I started thinking about the great carols we sing. After a bit of research and I found that most of the Christmas Hymns we love were penned in the 1700 and 1800s.</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Handel's Messiah and Beethoven's Ode to Joy are the melodies behind Joy to the World and Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee. </span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">As I meditated on the great composers of the 18th and 19th Century, and the lyrics and melodies of Christmas songs composed at the same time, songs we still sing today, I started to smile.</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">The Lord released sounds and songs from heaven to earth that would be sung and played a hundred and fifty years, a hundred years, fifty years before the break of humanism, communism, Darwinism and Freudism (my term) onto the world's stage.</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">A good portion of the earth still sings "Joyful, joyful we adore thee." Or, "The Lord God omnipotent reigneth! Hallelujah, hallelujah!" once a year. The brilliance of Handel and Beethoven is indisputable.</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Every December choirs and choral groups, Muzaks play the hymns of the sovereign Lord's return and reign.</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">God is always about the business of glorifying His Son. What sounds, songs, melodies and words is He releasing from Heaven in this hour in history that will resonate through time until His return?</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Every Sunday morning as we pray over our worship set, we ask the Lord for sounds from Heaven. We want to partner with Him to accomplish His purpose in us, through us unto the earth.</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I may not be a Handel up there leading worship. I many not be a C.S. Lewis writing novels that will endure the decades, but I am the Lord's willing and available vessel. My words and songs do affect the heavens. Forever.</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I love this passage out of Malachi 3. It's not your typical Christmas verse, but it speaks to what I'm trying to say:</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"They will be mine," says the Lord Almighty, "in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">God listens in on the conversations of those who fear him. He writes them down. He's recording our writings, our stories, and singing!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Make a new melody in your heart to the Lord this Christmas. Believe that it will resound through the ages to come.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I've made up a lot of songs on the piano just me... and myself. But I have a feeling God's going to play them back to me some day with the full force of heaven. Hey, maybe he'll ask Beethoven to pretty up my chords and turn it into his first symphony in the new era.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Who knows? But let's not limit our thinking to earth. Let's be heavenly minded. What is God sending to your hearts this season? Let the Holy Spirit breathe in and through you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Rachel</span></div>
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Rachel Hauckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481185182145667961noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767888.post-30233336545981065102012-12-19T03:00:00.000-05:002012-12-19T03:00:18.367-05:00The Next Big Thing Blog Hop<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Next Big Thing Blog Hop!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So a bunches of bunches of folks are participating in this blog hop to learn about new and old authors, and get a peek at what's coming.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For those of you who aren’t familiar with a blog hop, it’s a series of posts linked to each other across the web. I’d like to thank <a href="http://www.thewriteconversation.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-next-big-thing-blog-hop.html" target="_blank">Edie Melson</a> who invited me to this hop!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I’m answering ten questions about my latest WIP (Work in Progress). Feel free to post questions and comments! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here are my answers to the questions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>What is the working title of your book?
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm calling it "An Uncommon Duchess." Zondervan may change it but for now, that's the title. It's a bit of a double entendre. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Where did the idea come from for the book?</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is the second book in the Royal Wedding Series. The first comes out in May 2013, "Once Upon A Prince."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The series idea came from watching Kate Middleton marry Prince William. The whole world was captured by Kate, William and the wedding. I thought a fictional series about a common girl becoming a princess, or duchess, would be fun.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGzLkKI8PnSGLqY1a6oynn9XUUVRQihgxZYatWmiL11laYIwT3rTkbJTLIbZN59ol_Wljo9Pe2leOAtKpYqsRLwpcVyrYzvwAwqH05QTWm5GuEfoAjISoiotsqONcCnuXRcz6qA/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGzLkKI8PnSGLqY1a6oynn9XUUVRQihgxZYatWmiL11laYIwT3rTkbJTLIbZN59ol_Wljo9Pe2leOAtKpYqsRLwpcVyrYzvwAwqH05QTWm5GuEfoAjISoiotsqONcCnuXRcz6qA/s400/image.jpeg" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming May 2013</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>What genre does your book fall under?</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Romance! Love Stories. Good readin'.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have pictures of the characters but I don't have an idea of the actors who would play their role. I don't like to assign actors or actresses to my characters. It changes who they are to me and I want them to come out genuine and real, and with a spiritual truth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Regina Beswick knows who she is until a stranger from Europe arrives to tell her of her true identity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It will be published by Zondervan/Harper Collins. I am represented by Chip MacGregor at MacGregor Literary Agency.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i> How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">About six weeks. And it's a very rough first draft.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Princess Diary for adults. :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Who doesn't love a fairytale? A royal wedding?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And the story is about how we think we know who we are then the Gospel and love of Jesus is presented to us and we are forced to reckon with our true identity in Him. Regina faces that same battle.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hop on over to my friend's blogs to continue this journey!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://sibellagiorello.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sibella Giorello</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://girlygirl.typepad.com/" target="_blank">Kristin Billerbeck </a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://dragonbloggin.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Donita K. Paul</a></span>Rachel Hauckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481185182145667961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767888.post-61045041821760083902012-12-11T10:13:00.001-05:002012-12-11T10:57:32.735-05:00Once Upon A Prince!I'm so excited to debut my new cover! Once Upon A Prince releases May 2013 from Zondervan!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Once Upon a Prince, the first novel in the Royal Wedding series by bestselling author Rachel Hauck, treats you to a modern-day fairy tale. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Susanna Truitt never dreamed of a great romance or being treated like a princess---just to marry the man she has loved for twelve years. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">But life isn't going according to plan.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">When her high-school-sweetheart-turned-Marine-officer breaks up instead of proposing, Susanna scrambles to rebuild her life. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The last thing Prince Nathaniel expects to find on his American holiday to St. Simon's Island is the queen of his heart. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A prince has duties, and his family's tense political situation has chosen his bride for him. When Prince Nathaniel comes to Susanna's aid under the fabled Lover's Oak, he is blindsided by love.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Their lives are worlds apart. He's a royal prince. She's a ordinary girl. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">But everything changes when Susanna receives an invitation to Nathaniel's coronation. It's the ultimate choice. His kingdom or her heart? God's will or their own? </span>Rachel Hauckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481185182145667961noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767888.post-42849929013546388522012-12-03T15:10:00.002-05:002012-12-03T15:10:40.278-05:00A Few Of My Favorite Things! A Birthday Giveaway<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For my birthday on Friday, Dec 7, I'm celebrating you and giving away a few of my favorite things. It starts at midnight tonight and ends midnight on the 7th. (So really, the 6th.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Winners will be announced on Friday! Enter to win by following my FB Page, on Twitter or leaving a comment here! </span><br />
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<br />
<br />
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/abcb371/" id="rc-abcb371" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script><br />
<br />Rachel Hauckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481185182145667961noreply@blogger.com78tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767888.post-44740428345711400112012-11-29T19:26:00.001-05:002012-11-29T20:32:48.764-05:00Lull Between Thanksgiving and Christmas<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's the lull week between Thanksgiving and Christmas. How are y'all doing? Can you believe K-Mart and Wal-Mart had Black Thursday sales?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm grieved that we nearly have no true holidays in American anymore. Stores are open seven days a week, sixteen hours a day if not twenty-four.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For what? Stuff. I saw a man first in line outside a local K-Mart at seven o'clock the Wednesday evening before Thanksgiving.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I said, "What's for sale that you're out here waiting?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"A 36'' LCD flat screen for $97."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ah...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">s I drove to my destination I got hit with the shop-cheap bug. "Wow, that's a great deal. I could give it as a present."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Or, we could put a TV in the turret with a Blueray player. We don't have cable or DISH but we could watch Netflix."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm telling y'all, it was insane. I wanted <i>nothing</i> until someone else was told me what they were getting. How true is that of mankind? We covet what our neighbor has or is obtaining.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The class warfare going on in our country right now is grievous. Anyone in this country willing to work hard, yes some more than others, can achieve whatever they want. Sure, some people have more advantage -- wealth, smarts, looks, ability -- but the only thing that prevents a person from getting ahead in this country is their own laziness, bitterness, envy or greed. Or lack of ambition.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Even obstacles like prejudice or poverty can overcome by anyone willing to do the work to win over an enemy, take a college course, aim for a promotion. Look around. Open our eyes at those who have overcome!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But what we can't overcome is if the gov't continues to take, take, take and spend our money. It's our money. Not theirs. It blows my mind they are on capital hill right now discussing how to tax "the rich more." That old mantra has worn all of it's threads thin.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sorry, I had to go on that rant for a second because that's what hit me as I left K-Mart. Greed. I wanted what that man wanted because... just because.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But I didn't want to sit all night in the cold for a stupid TV so I actually pondered ways to get what I wanted without working for it. Yes, I did.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hmm... another trend in our society. "Who can get it for me so I don't have to leave my comfort zones?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Once I got to youth church, and in the presence of God, my heart was realigned and I knew I didn't want a TV or Blueray player or whatever else K-Mart was selling on sale.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kuddos to those of you who shopped 'til you dropped and got good sales on Black Friday. I know it's a blessing to many who are on a budget and have lot of people to buy for. But what I hope is that greed was not your motivator, or envy or covetousness.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have to watch those bad boys in my life. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here's to the spirit of Christmas -- love, peace and JOY to the world. That's what I "covet." JOY!!</span><br />
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Rachel Hauckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481185182145667961noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767888.post-82762134789928194172012-11-19T10:48:00.004-05:002012-11-19T10:48:43.229-05:00Write for Relief Winners!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A big thank you to everyone who bid for critiques for Write Now Relief! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Your generosity added up to $2,300 for the relief efforts for the victims of Superstorm Sandy! Well done and congratulations to all the winners!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">On this site Jeanne Takenaka and Charity Hawkins were the winner with their last minute bidding war. Thank you gals so much! And to all who </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">participated.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">If you are the high bidder or think you might be, please check the blog where you were bidding to get your marching orders.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Your first order of business is to donate your bid amount to Samaritans Purse. Then email a copy of your donation receipt with your 50 pages to the author who will be critiquing you. Again, thanks so much to everyone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">And if you didn’t win the critique please consider giving to Samaritan’s Purse for your year-end giving. The need back East is huge.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Here is the link to donate online. The GIVE button is located just below the photo gallery link.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/articles/hurricane_sandy/" target="_blank" title="http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/articles/hurricane_sandy/"><span style="font-size: small;">http://www.samaritanspurse.</span><wbr></wbr><span style="font-size: small;">org/index.php/articles/</span><wbr></wbr>hurricane_sandy/</a></span></div>
Rachel Hauckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481185182145667961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767888.post-56760893829539863812012-11-11T03:00:00.000-05:002012-11-11T03:00:15.236-05:00Diary of a Writer: Look Who Learned to Use iMovie?<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/YXjQowy-RsI" width="560"></iframe>Rachel Hauckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481185182145667961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767888.post-45416539941191987332012-11-09T03:00:00.000-05:002012-11-12T12:21:41.276-05:00Write Now Relief for Hurricane Sandy Victims<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Write Now Relief<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How you can help the
victims of Sandy and also get a little first aid for your novel! <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>WHAT</b>: Bid on a
50-page critique of your novel by a published novelist! Highest bidder will
send their amount to Samaritans Purse for their relief efforts for the victims
of Superstorm Sandy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>WHEN</b>: Begins
Friday, November 9, ends Friday midnight EST November 16.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>HOW</b>: Head to the
blog of the author you’d like to have critique your 50 pages. Find their Write
Now Relief blog post and place your bid in the comments section of that post.
Monitor it closely so that you can re-bid! Check back on this <a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/388020704611404/">Facebook</a> page for
updates on all the bids. If you are the high bidder at the end of the week, make
your donation and email a copy of your receipt to the author with your 50
pages. It’s that easy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How much is a 50-page
critique worth? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Most authors and editors can easily charge $35 an hour and a
fifty-page critique is well over three hours of labor. But this labor of love
is for victims who have lost everything. Their need is huge. One blogger who
hosted a similar campaign last week had a top donation bid of $1,000 for a
50-page critique!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What will the
critique entail? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The author you choose will read your fifty pages with an eye
to giving you insights and feedback on all aspects of your story excerpt,
including plot, character, story arc, mechanics, pacing, and reader appeal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What is Samaritan’s
Purse?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Samaritan's Purse is a nondenominational evangelical
Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people
around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan's Purse has helped meet needs of people
who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with
the purpose of sharing God's love through His Son, Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here is a video from Samaritans Purse on their efforts to
help Sandy’s victims.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://youtu.be/rd7KyY2p6ms">http://youtu.be/rd7KyY2p6ms</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How do I donate to
Samaritans Purse?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You can head to the Samaritan’s Purse webpage on Hurricane
Sandy <a href="http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/articles/hurricane_sandy/">http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/articles/hurricane_sandy/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">and click on the GIVE link imbedded on the page. Whether you
are the highest bidder or not, do consider donating to this effort.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How do I start?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Check <a href="http://susanmeissner.blogspot.com/">Susan
Meissner’s blog</a> on Thursday, Nov 8 for the full list of participating
authors and their blog addresses. Pick an author, head to their blog on Friday,
November 9, and make your opening bid.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>What's it really worth?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For me, Rachel, I do this for My Book Therapy clients and a proposal therapy is about 30 pages and it costs around $450. So a 50 page critic is a GREAT deal and worth a good bit of $$. Consider my time as part of the donation. Your crit will be very detailed with a summary letter. Well worth your money!</span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Rachel Hauckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481185182145667961noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767888.post-66104497949194061662012-11-01T11:14:00.001-04:002012-11-01T11:17:28.726-04:002012 Writers and Readers Reach Out<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://wordservewatercooler.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/novision3.png" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1470db; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-7985" height="93" src="http://wordservewatercooler.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/novision3.png?w=300&h=93" style="background-color: #eeeeee; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(187, 187, 187); display: inline; float: left; height: auto; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-right: 1.625em; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 97.5%; padding: 6px;" title="novision" width="300" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #373737; line-height: 24px;"></span></span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #373737; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pleased to welcome my friend and fellow belle on <a href="http://www.southernbelleview.com/" target="_blank">southernbelleview</a> to share her heart on this great cause! </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; line-height: normal;">Before us is a great opportunity to partner with one another to raise awareness about human trafficking and join together to raise funds towards their rescue through Kimberly L. Smith's foundation,</span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: normal;">Make Way Partners</span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: normal;">. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; line-height: normal;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; line-height: normal;">And yet, even as we are set to launch, one-fourth of our population has been impacted by Super storm Sandy and many areas remain in distress. Far too many people have seen their homes destroyed and many others have suffered the painful loss of loved ones. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; line-height: normal;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; line-height: normal;">The winds of Sandy have literally caused us to adjust our sails as we respond to the heartache in our own country.</span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: normal;">Writers and Readers Reach Out 2012</span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: normal;">is enlarging the vision!</span></span><br />
<br />
<h3 style="color: #222222; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">As you make your donation to Make Way Partners, please consider making a matching donation to relief efforts underway for our neighbors on the East Coast. </span></h3>
<h3 style="color: #222222; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">We believe strongly that our being mobilized to respond to the needs of our neighbors at this very moment is no coincidence. We've been given much, let us give much.</span></h3>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #373737; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Over the years I’ve challenged my readers at <a href="http://www.allthingssouthern.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #1470db; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">All Things Southern</a> to join me in an annual benefit for the less fortunate. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #373737; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We’ve done everything from drilling wells in Africa with Life Today to partnering with World Vision to buy chickens and goats for needy families around the world.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #373737; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Last year I became fixated with the exponential power represented by the fellow <a href="http://wordservewatercooler.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/suffering2.png" style="border: 0px; color: #1470db; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" class="alignright wp-image-7987" height="102" src="http://wordservewatercooler.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/suffering2.png?w=289&h=102" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); display: inline; float: right; height: auto; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-left: 1.625em; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 97.5%; padding: 6px; width: 283px;" title="suffering" width="289" /></a>writers I meet in my travels. Knowing these wordsmiths all had a circle of readers that enjoy his or her work and interact with them via their websites, blogs, Facebook and Twitter, I wondered what we might accomplish by combining our individual platforms and multiplying our efforts.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #373737; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> The dream led me to launch Writers and Readers Reach Out. The positive results fueled my desire to do more. For the second year, I’m asking writers and readers to embark with me on 30 Days of Thankfulness to coincide with the season of Thanksgiving.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #373737; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://wordservewatercooler.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/kim.png" style="border: 0px; color: #1470db; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-7988" height="300" src="http://wordservewatercooler.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/kim.png?w=201&h=300" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); display: inline; float: left; height: auto; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-right: 1.625em; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 97.5%; padding: 6px;" title="kim" width="201" /></a>I was in the planning stages of the drive and personally burdened by what I was learning about human trafficking when I read <a href="http://www.kimberlylsmith.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #1470db; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Passport through Darkness</a>, by Kimberly L. Smith. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #373737; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I knew immediately that <a href="http://www.makewaypartners.org/" style="border: 0px; color: #1470db; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Make Way Partners</a>, the organization that Kimberly and her husbanded founded, should be the recipient of this year’s efforts. Make Way Partners works with individuals, churches, and organizations to help prevent and combat the evil of human trafficking and all forms of modern-day oppression.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #373737; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you’ll take the time to read just a few of the real-life stories on <a href="http://kimberlylsmithblog.blogspot.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #1470db; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Kimberly’s blog</span></a> of women and children who Make Way Partners has rescued from slavery, and for whom they provide long-term care, I believe you’ll want to participate in this beautiful journey of restoration.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Eight years ago, Kimberly began chartering small mission planes to fly her into the war zone where U.S. sanctions and Islamic regimes rendered thousands of orphans<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14WuvgB6OUI&list=UUIxnf_nQN77rTqWeAI74uyA&index=2&feature=plcp" style="border: 0px; color: #1470db; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">un</span><span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">adoptable</span></a>. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #373737; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Providing food and opening a first-grade school in a lawless land with no other educational systems, MWP partnered with an indigenous leader to rescue and care for these most vulnerable orphans. Year-by-year, they have added a new grade to their school. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #373737; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now, graduating eighth grade, the orphans of MWP have more education than many current leaders of their nation. It is time to build a high school, making it possible to raise up the next generation of educated Christian leaders who will stop the cycle of violence and slavery.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #373737; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Read about a few of these amazing students and the complete high school proposal here:<a href="http://kimberlylsmithblog.blogspot.com/2012/10/battle-cry-by-guest-blogger-matt-mcgowen.html" style="border: 0px; color: #1470db; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://kimberlylsmithblog.blogspot.com/2012/10/battle-cry-by-guest-blogger-matt-mcgowen.html</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The quotes scattered here are those of the late Helen Keller. Inviting Ms. Keller <a href="http://wordservewatercooler.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/canbedone1.png" style="border: 0px; color: #1470db; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-8002" height="100" src="http://wordservewatercooler.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/canbedone1.png?w=300&h=100" style="border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); display: inline; float: left; height: auto; margin-bottom: 1.625em; margin-right: 1.625em; margin-top: 0.4em; max-width: 97.5%; padding: 6px;" title="canbedone" width="300" /></a>to share this journey with writers and readers feels right, for it was the power of a word written in the palm of her hand that unlocked Ms. Keller’s heart and mind and subsequently impacted untold lives around the world!</span></div>
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<span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As readers and writers, no one knows the value of education better than we. Let’s dream big and build a high school for the world’s most vulnerable orphans!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Thirty days of thankfulness. It’s not a long time, but it’s a perfect time to join hands and do something grand, together. </i><i style="border: 0px; color: #1470db; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.allthingssouthern.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #1470db; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">~Shellie Rushing Tomlinson</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hey all, please welcome My Book Therapy team member, Michelle Lim. She's taken the time to write a well done book on how to spark new ideas for your novel that will add depth and conflict.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />Welcome, Michelle!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><o:p> </o:p>Rachel, thank you so much for inviting me to visit your
blog. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
I’ve enjoyed getting to know you through <a href="http://www.mybooktherapy.com/">My Book Therapy</a> and our local ACFW
Chapter, Minnesota N.I.C.E. retreat a few years ago.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><o:p> </o:p>For those of you who haven’t heard, during my <i>Idea Sparking: How to Brainstorm Conflict in
Your Novel </i>Tour I’m having a drawing for a <b>Free Kindle Paperwhite</b>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
For each different blog I visit that you
comment on during my tour, you get one entry. Each day I will post any new tour
locations on my blog.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><o:p> </o:p>One of my favorite romantic moments in my life was the day
my husband left a rose in my mailbox. A surprise meant to bring me delight and
it did. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
I fell in love somewhere between roses in mail boxes and moonlight
strolls along the shore of Lake Superior.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><o:p> </o:p>Our characters fall in love in much the same way. The
struggle is how to be unique in building conflict in a Romance novel. Brainstorming
is a great tool for bringing out the conflict to accentuate the romance.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><o:p> </o:p>In my new book Idea Sparking: How to Brainstorm Conflict in
Your Novel I give tools and strategies to build that conflict to lift a sagging
middle or intensify a limp plot.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><o:p> </o:p>Let’s try the Strategy of Pedestal Principles when talking
about your characters. Characters all have expectations of themselves as do
those around them. Oftentimes our expectations cause internal conflict when we
don’t meet our personal expectations.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><o:p> </o:p>For example:<br /><o:p> </o:p>Linda is a Pastor’s wife at a small country church. It is
her goal to always bring a meal to a family with a crisis like hospitalization,
etc. When Linda comes down with pneumonia she is unable to bring food to a
family they have been trying to reach out to for the last year. She feels she
has failed. This might cause internal conflict.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><o:p> </o:p>The expectations we have of ourselves are not the only
expectations. What about the people around you? The boss that expects you to
finish your work by the end of the day, but you value quality and there is no
way you can produce quality work in that time line.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><o:p> </o:p>Pedestal Principles are one of the tools I cover in greater
detail in my Idea Sparking Book. They are just one of the many ways to add
conflict in a novel.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><o:p> </o:p>Focusing on not just the happy gushy moments in our romance
story is difficult, especially when what we tend to remember most about our own
love story is the special moments that made us feel cherished. Both are needed
to create a strong story.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><o:p> </o:p><b>How about you? What
is your favorite romance moment?</b><b> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b>
<b>***</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>What Others Are Saying About This Resource!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b>
</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5OIn8Qc8cpr3dPQSiogXbQXwjRkI_Wo8xYKbtg04VEG2oAUNTMNonxzSKkSH8PmIoqqDhky8rguxo9rzSWW0ch9ndOkIKk1iMUeH19qCUPcp4gSpD6bqdefNXcFI2js4V_rgzw/s1600/DSCF0039+retouched.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5OIn8Qc8cpr3dPQSiogXbQXwjRkI_Wo8xYKbtg04VEG2oAUNTMNonxzSKkSH8PmIoqqDhky8rguxo9rzSWW0ch9ndOkIKk1iMUeH19qCUPcp4gSpD6bqdefNXcFI2js4V_rgzw/s320/DSCF0039+retouched.jpg" width="213" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b> </b><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">“I think it's a
great resource! I love the way you give examples, offer opportunities for
writers to craft out their own ideas.” ~Lisa Jordan Author of <i>Lakeside Reunion</i> and <i>Lakeside Family</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><i><br /><o:p></o:p></i></span><i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i>“Michelle recently helped me brainstorm <i>Silent Night,</i> my new Rock Harbor digital novella coming at the end
of next month. Her brainstorming prowess amazed me! I loved her new book,
especially the chapter on secrets.” ~Colleen Coble Award Winning Author</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><o:p> </o:p><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">“Michelle
encapsulated some workable, practical, yet energizing techniques to help spark
that all-important conflict and tension in our stories. I especially
appreciated the buffet of ideas that showed how a combination of tips could
bring about a tailor-made solution to a lack-luster character, scene, or plot.”
~Cynthia Ruchti Multipublished Author, speaker, and writing instructor.</span><b> </b><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
Michelle Lim is the author of the new book <i>Idea Sparking: How to Brainstorm Conflict in Your Novel. </i>Also a romantic suspense author whose manuscripts have earned recognition in The Rattler Contest 2012, the Genesis Contest 2011, and the Frasier Contest in 2010. Michelle is the Brainstorm/Huddle Coach at My Book Therapy and serves as Vice President of MN N.I.C.E., a local chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers. Check out her blog at: <a href="http://thoughtsonplot.wordpress.com/">http://thoughtsonplot.wordpress.com/</a>.<br /><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
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<!--EndFragment-->Rachel Hauckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481185182145667961noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767888.post-69051576088592090042012-10-25T11:24:00.003-04:002012-10-25T13:31:59.479-04:00Diary of A Writer: Politics Continued...<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Are you struggling with the vote? I hear this so often, "I'm tired of voting for the lesser of two evils!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well, Beloved, being silent, quitting and/or checking out and drawing into ourselves is not the answer. Some Christians have become so insular. We've left the world to itself and lookit... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then we become more discouraged and more insular and yes, this is coming from a fiction author writing for a Christian publisher.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But the lines have been drawn. Too many publishers don't want the "Christian stuff." If Christian books are shelved with the rest of the books, readers go ballistic. "I didn't know I was going to be forced to read about God."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But originally publishing was done by Christians. The moveable press was invited by a guy who wanted to publish Bibles.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Universities like Harvard and Yale were founded to teach theology and the Bible, to make sure the tenets of the faith.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now it seems they are quite the opposite. How to destroy the faith.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hubby and I were talking about the election and I said, "What do you think God is saying? What's on His heart?"</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxm-f6-2BxTxi-3S5l8AeDAXTHbXvcpjIwV_9P-Nmsoi3LR81YNhCRoaspkT3TVNbrtFqbHWW7OXyCuBTKVgbvFIc5JMe64Cbx2viHCX8yk39oh4GitryCgM6fE9Ad8yPip6td7g/s1600/456665_411074832266708_134420019932192_1208488_1890086895_o.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxm-f6-2BxTxi-3S5l8AeDAXTHbXvcpjIwV_9P-Nmsoi3LR81YNhCRoaspkT3TVNbrtFqbHWW7OXyCuBTKVgbvFIc5JMe64Cbx2viHCX8yk39oh4GitryCgM6fE9Ad8yPip6td7g/s320/456665_411074832266708_134420019932192_1208488_1890086895_o.jpeg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hubby said something profound, "You know, we're a Republic. Maybe the Lord is leaving it up to us to choose. We get who we vote, or don't vote, for."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A light dawned. America is a Republic, meaning "belonging to the people." Our Fathers dreamed and declared God is our King. So, when we have the opportunity to vote for leaders, it behooves us to choose the best possible men and women.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Christians should not be OUT of politics but in the heart of it. We should not adhere to restrictions on speech such as, "never talk about religion and politics."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">No, Beloved, talk about it. Kindly. Informed. With a heart for God rather than ourselves.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Are you struggling to vote for one of the candidates? Don't. Pray. Search the scriptures. And vote. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We have been given a blessed right by the Almighty to align with Him for the leadership of this nation. "Come, let us reason together," He says.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I know many Christians struggle to vote for a Mormon. Frankly, the alternative with his Liberation Theology and Muslim leanings isn't any better. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Study. Don't just guess. Don't just go on the politics you had in the '70s, '80s and '90s, Those days are over! Way over!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">More is at stake here than our personal comforts and beliefs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My friend and fellow author Randy Alcorn, author of Heaven, has been <a href="http://www.epm.org/blog/2012/Oct/18/election-2012-part-3" target="_blank">blogging</a> about this election. It's thorough, thought out and well written. Much better than what I'm doing here. So, please, check out his series.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pray. Vote. Be vigilant for freedom.</span><br />
<br />Rachel Hauckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481185182145667961noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767888.post-83102427202948136802012-10-23T11:22:00.001-04:002012-10-25T10:52:07.241-04:00Dairy of a Writer: I Care About Politics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVqT1tGiWMvKDPYmrFC3QrLEAPZibD4Fe_Hxqnz6CcMVlxbNG6UbWBBENnoKReO-7GvmWVeakaM_h858vu3c4aeIyvlz2g0C_HHx_nw3s3okYX5h5Pz7-ugBTJN7Li6VtcrvUiw/s1600/12027.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVqT1tGiWMvKDPYmrFC3QrLEAPZibD4Fe_Hxqnz6CcMVlxbNG6UbWBBENnoKReO-7GvmWVeakaM_h858vu3c4aeIyvlz2g0C_HHx_nw3s3okYX5h5Pz7-ugBTJN7Li6VtcrvUiw/s320/12027.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I think a lot about politics. Not because I'm a junky. I'm not.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Nor because I'm a news junky. I'm not. But when I read the Bible, I see politics. </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I see Jesus as a returning King to judge the nations.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I see verses like, "If My people who are called by my name humble themselves and prayer... I will heal their land."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">God, healing a nation, IF His people pray? Sounds political.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As a Believer, I can't ignore the political landscape of my country. If I hide myself away and pretend all is well, surrendering my partnership with Jesus for His kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven, then I'm ignoring my calling and right as a co-heir. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So, my first action is to pray. For our nation. For our president and our leaders. For my state and my county.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Second, I stand for Biblical values. I ask for wisdom to understand what the Word teaches me and how it should look in the society I live in.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I strive to think critically. I've been moved by ideas, speeches and leaders only to discover no substance behind the person or the promise.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Asking questions. Looking deeper. So critical in politics.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Too often we just vote the party line. Vote our traditions. But as Believers, we must be transformed by the Word we read. By the Holy Spirit. We must vote and stand according to the truth of God's Word.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How are you voting next month? By your own standards or God's? I'm praying about the vote -- mine and this nations.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I want to remain, "One nation under God." We've a lot to fix. A lot of unity to restore. But with God as our King, it's possible.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Don't sit this one out. Pray. Vote. Be a voice. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Rachel Hauckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481185182145667961noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767888.post-16439938415569283102012-10-15T20:52:00.003-04:002012-10-15T20:52:54.393-04:00Diary of A Writer: Crash. And BurnWell, as you can see it's been a month of Sunday's since I blogged here. Why?<br />
<br />
Busy!<br />
<br />
Using my words for other things!<br />
<br />
I had a revelation. Most writers try to blog three times a week. Less some, more others. I blog once a week at Southernbelleview.com and once a week at MybookTherapy.com.<br />
<br />
Each post takes me about an hour to do.<br />
<br />
Between travel, writing and blogging, my own blog has been neglected.<br />
<br />
I think of things to write, but by the time I get to them, I'm weary or have forgotten.<br />
<br />
This is the life of a writer. I want to save my best energy and words for my stories. I feel I owe that to my readers more than a quippy, regular blog.<br />
<br />
I've thought of just taking it down. But I do like to post when I can. So there's the truth about blogging.<br />
<br />
I'm working on the second royal wedding book. Can't wait for Once Upon A Prince, the first in the series to release in May!<br />
<br />
Be a peace everyone. God is with us. More later... ;)Rachel Hauckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481185182145667961noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767888.post-25362615223935172282012-08-27T08:49:00.001-04:002012-08-27T08:49:44.788-04:00Diary of a Writer: DeadlineDeadline.<br />
<br />
Deadline.<br />
<br />
Dead. Line.<br />
<br />
Working on substantive edits and rewrites for "Once Upon A Prince" coming to you April 2013!<br />
<br />
Look for the cover soon!<br />
<br />
It seems no matter how and what I plan, or all my valiant efforts to avoid deadline crunch, I wind up in it anyway.<br />
<br />
Oy.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Power recliner!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Keeps me leaning against Jesus.<br />
<br />
Random Fact: I still use the ironing board I bought when I first moved her 26 years ago. My iron is the one I inherited from my great Aunt Lillian 20 years ago. Ha!<br />
<br />
News: Getting new furniture this week. Hubby picks up his Lazy-Boy today. Wednesday, the rest comes. :)Rachel Hauckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481185182145667961noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767888.post-61431082939321541912012-08-24T03:00:00.000-04:002012-08-24T03:00:10.656-04:00Blog Tour: Mackinac Island with Cara Putman and Melanie Dobson<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-KsPnhZqlFRDWFgaStEgXZntLqgmtHhKizZsbW-iEq1izoKsdsK2apNvVE9KSN4hkohmP7OWVpPHMz58fFZlElLI7JTlgdgktyT0tr_2SjwX2X8D74YZb2bxWnMHtq8KlhPk/s1600/covers_blue_sm%255B2%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #4f4c45; float: left; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-KsPnhZqlFRDWFgaStEgXZntLqgmtHhKizZsbW-iEq1izoKsdsK2apNvVE9KSN4hkohmP7OWVpPHMz58fFZlElLI7JTlgdgktyT0tr_2SjwX2X8D74YZb2bxWnMHtq8KlhPk/s320/covers_blue_sm%255B2%255D.jpg" style="border: 0px;" width="320" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-KsPnhZqlFRDWFgaStEgXZntLqgmtHhKizZsbW-iEq1izoKsdsK2apNvVE9KSN4hkohmP7OWVpPHMz58fFZlElLI7JTlgdgktyT0tr_2SjwX2X8D74YZb2bxWnMHtq8KlhPk/s1600/covers_blue_sm%255B2%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #388c7f; float: left; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-weight: 800; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-KsPnhZqlFRDWFgaStEgXZntLqgmtHhKizZsbW-iEq1izoKsdsK2apNvVE9KSN4hkohmP7OWVpPHMz58fFZlElLI7JTlgdgktyT0tr_2SjwX2X8D74YZb2bxWnMHtq8KlhPk/s1600/covers_blue_sm%255B2%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #388c7f; float: left; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-weight: 800; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4f4c45;">Mackinac Island. It’s a magical place that allows you to step back in time from the moment you first step off the ferry. Authors <a href="http://www.caraputman.com/" style="color: #388c7f; font-weight: 800; text-decoration: none;">Cara Putman</a> and <a href="http://www.melaniedobson.com/html/main.html" style="color: #388c7f; font-weight: 800; text-decoration: none;">Melanie Dobson</a> have teamed up for a tour of the island, now and then. Comment at each stop for a chance to win a copy of one of their books set on Mackinac Island. You’ll find the list of stops <a href="http://blog.caraputman.com/p/mackinac-island-blog-tour.html" style="color: #388c7f; font-weight: 800; text-decoration: none;">here</a>. Share the tour on twitter, Facebook, pinterest and other places, and you’ll gain extra entries for the grand prize of a copy of each of their books and a 5 slice box of <a href="http://www.murdicks.com/" style="color: #388c7f; font-weight: 800; text-decoration: none;">Murdick’s Fudge</a>, straight from Mackinac Island. Just be sure to email Cara at cara@caraputman.com, so she can record your entries. The grand prize winner will be drawn August 27, 2012.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4f4c45; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4f4c45; line-height: 18px;"><b>Cara Putman:</b> <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1616265353/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1616265353&linkCode=as2&tag=carput-20" style="color: #388c7f; font-weight: 800; text-decoration: none;">A Wedding Transpires on Mackinac Island</a></i> </span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4f4c45; line-height: 18px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYDYxHdy9lSFal6WOeWHoZmgYKcfOEcKwry6bfChmSbWPMrF-CV7Ftoz2jhqir5NHWMO7pd0-Z7wN_mPmO-GbVCfbjleXT5NRgQ6_2a3yyMzPEBjUoR9fxvJnczWRpPB7vvBF/s320/mackinac+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #388c7f; float: right; font-weight: 800; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYDYxHdy9lSFal6WOeWHoZmgYKcfOEcKwry6bfChmSbWPMrF-CV7Ftoz2jhqir5NHWMO7pd0-Z7wN_mPmO-GbVCfbjleXT5NRgQ6_2a3yyMzPEBjUoR9fxvJnczWRpPB7vvBF/s320/mackinac+3.jpg" style="border: 0px;" /></a></span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4f4c45; line-height: 18px;">The draw that pulls my heroine Alanna to return to Mackinac Island is helping her parents keep their art studio open. Several shops on the island display art and photos created by local and regional authors. That served as the impetus for me to create the Painted Stone studio. The island is a place that inspires photos that show the blue sky reflected off the lake in contrast to the grass and quaint shops and Victorian homes. It’s hard not to shoot tons of photos under a cloudless sky.</span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4f4c45; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4f4c45; line-height: 18px;">The island has drawn artists and writers from its earliest days. There are several shops that highlight local artists. And the plaque pictured to the right is in memory of Constance Fenimore Woolson, an early American writer who loved the island. Is it any wonder we were drawn to the island as a setting for our stories? </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4f4c45; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4f4c45; line-height: 18px;"><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1616265353/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1616265353&linkCode=as2&tag=carput-20" style="color: #388c7f; font-weight: 800; text-decoration: none;">A Wedding Transpires on Mackinac Island</a>: </i> Join attorney Alanna Stone as she returns home despite her determination to never set foot on Mackinac Island again. Once again in close proximity to Jonathan Covington, her first love, she vows to protect her privacy and her heart from the man who still makes her pulse race. But when her worst fears are realized and history repeats itself—landing her in the midst of a murder investigation—Jonathan may be her only hope. Will they be able to lay aside the past and let God heal their hearts, or will reconciliation come too late? Read the first chapter <a href="http://caraputman.com/mackinacisland.html" style="color: #388c7f; font-weight: 800; text-decoration: none;">here</a>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4f4c45; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4f4c45; line-height: 18px;"><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1609366409/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1609366409&linkCode=as2&tag=carput-20" style="color: #388c7f; font-weight: 800; text-decoration: none;">Love Finds You on Mackinac Island</a>: </i>As the Gilded Age comes to a close, Elena Bissette’s family has lost most of its fortune. The Bissettes still own a home on fashionable Mackinac Island, and they spend summers there in hopes of introducing Elena to a wealthy suitor. Quickly tiring of the extravagant balls at the Grand Hotel, she spends her days walking along the island’s rugged coastline. There she meets Chase, a handsome laborer who invites her to watch the ships from an abandoned lighthouse. The two begin to meet there in secret, hoping to solve a mystery buried in the pages of a tattered diary. As Elena falls in love with Chase, her mother relentlessly contrives to introduce her to Chester Darrington, the island's most eligible bachelor. Marriage to the elusive millionaire would solve the Bissettes' financial woes, and Elena is torn between duty and love. Read the first chapter <a href="http://www.melaniedobson.com/media/samples/mackinacSample.pdf" style="color: #4f4c45; text-decoration: none;">here</a></span></span>Rachel Hauckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481185182145667961noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767888.post-56268516820150776262012-08-21T18:39:00.001-04:002012-08-21T18:39:21.912-04:00Back from Oregon Christian Writers Conference<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5RwuO_l-muE9jTykdKVmsizcIMacxOI94TZSF9gPCbRhp5XRQfqjeR67d5SdVkyEIp-gxekKBnWCefszN4KZdDiVX_c50vQnI4Ubwz2LET3XbufpgTIM9792RBMV0-aRB5-2uQ/s1600/IMG_1147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5RwuO_l-muE9jTykdKVmsizcIMacxOI94TZSF9gPCbRhp5XRQfqjeR67d5SdVkyEIp-gxekKBnWCefszN4KZdDiVX_c50vQnI4Ubwz2LET3XbufpgTIM9792RBMV0-aRB5-2uQ/s320/IMG_1147.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Hood</td></tr>
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I was honored and thrilled to be invited to the Oregon Christian Writers Conference this year.<br />
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What a great conference. Going on 50 years of encouraging writers to share the good news of Jesus Christ to readers.<br />
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The staff and attendees were fabulous. Kind. Helpful. Eager to learn. Joy abounded at every meal. There was such a spirit of worship and prayer.<br />
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It was a complete and utter joy to be there. I taught two classes and hosted two Nite Owl sessions with a My Book Therapy Live. Susie joined me and we did what we love to do -- comb through a manuscript.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheo_Q9NCBpO3xkBTemu5HLqnOONslQodh4-yYHtHQ0Gt0z77nL-QGbjw2_Bw8VxAJhyEFks8ZND-OobsO7B-ESLQaa_mPNXKeXxvmyXwrcztgmVjCKVI-8cLvdXCJ0je2r4JZp7g/s1600/IMG_1149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheo_Q9NCBpO3xkBTemu5HLqnOONslQodh4-yYHtHQ0Gt0z77nL-QGbjw2_Bw8VxAJhyEFks8ZND-OobsO7B-ESLQaa_mPNXKeXxvmyXwrcztgmVjCKVI-8cLvdXCJ0je2r4JZp7g/s320/IMG_1149.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aldersgate</td></tr>
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I learn so much at each live book therapy. We had an enthusiastic attendee Bob who said live therapy was the best thing he'd ever heard. The next night he applied what we demonstrated and taught to his first chapter. At breakfast he said, "It worked!"<br />
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Now, if only Bob could come and write my story for me... LOL.<br />
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On the last morning, the fabulous Jim Rubart invited me to sit in his class with him and take questions from his class. Awesome time.<br />
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If you can't tell by now, I'm going to say "awesome" about everything I did at OCW last week.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsdrt_YJa2SqSlo5xxdNoK_NKCNolLohKJIBl4ZKDLAKoBbDEdZwI7ks_MHNDiLnNWmDQWuICt7OE-FNkuvO94bwnENyVzczxC8MB0kHtRAsZFRvtdUvM8dha4ndL-49AE_3d7A/s1600/IMG_1185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsdrt_YJa2SqSlo5xxdNoK_NKCNolLohKJIBl4ZKDLAKoBbDEdZwI7ks_MHNDiLnNWmDQWuICt7OE-FNkuvO94bwnENyVzczxC8MB0kHtRAsZFRvtdUvM8dha4ndL-49AE_3d7A/s320/IMG_1185.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Susie and me on the last day.</td></tr>
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There was one other time in my life where "awesome" was the only appropriate word to use for what we'd experienced. It was the first summer we took the youth band "on the road" and did a youth rally in Poughkeepsie, NY.<br />
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God just breathed on our weak effort and each night the attendance grew. When we left, the host church had grown over 150 members.<br />
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Awesome! Truly awesome.<br />
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So, instead of going on and on, I'll just add the pictures. I'm excited to be returning to OCW in October 2014 to keynote their fall retreat. Woot!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK75pIQDvUocWQAcL9lVPmQW_9aniKC6Yt9NmGTgDlg9LrOPXBmZVRg9WlI_IoqX_CKGXaQnNXp7LPPeMZLyfR2zc7wvMS84BZCcLELnWgTetzuQM6T2ADy6DymtzG8J-9TmuzdQ/s1600/IMG_1156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK75pIQDvUocWQAcL9lVPmQW_9aniKC6Yt9NmGTgDlg9LrOPXBmZVRg9WlI_IoqX_CKGXaQnNXp7LPPeMZLyfR2zc7wvMS84BZCcLELnWgTetzuQM6T2ADy6DymtzG8J-9TmuzdQ/s320/IMG_1156.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trees.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVPpJ2AFh4Sorni7bSlH4GrcWFnulZE3DW-1V_fCxfOSRathS5SxDfV3tQYNLnwXauF-kNniEu9xihTGd-2yOvdyV6QUPR9_X5oEA95t2so_LyuLyTDx_CIPTNGS4Z8JKuRtBjA/s1600/IMG_1158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVPpJ2AFh4Sorni7bSlH4GrcWFnulZE3DW-1V_fCxfOSRathS5SxDfV3tQYNLnwXauF-kNniEu9xihTGd-2yOvdyV6QUPR9_X5oEA95t2so_LyuLyTDx_CIPTNGS4Z8JKuRtBjA/s320/IMG_1158.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Randy Ingermanson and Jim Rubart</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4cNhfREkQ3fVp5tKU07nJC2tlPI7OM8oKbidf8U0Sc5hHUWLSA63nHc4TGBcdAdWVqyrTusD9YQntJ3Jg6vZUe5EtlNydYol2qE4QiXNTgJH3O2qyf3TGGXkhnylghdelhhfuDQ/s1600/IMG_1186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4cNhfREkQ3fVp5tKU07nJC2tlPI7OM8oKbidf8U0Sc5hHUWLSA63nHc4TGBcdAdWVqyrTusD9YQntJ3Jg6vZUe5EtlNydYol2qE4QiXNTgJH3O2qyf3TGGXkhnylghdelhhfuDQ/s320/IMG_1186.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oregon sunset</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhcOoubekpR8yyomiqIK_DLVxg8u2MAnxfHAPSjgGbBdsL_mE-wtEgBODxtvArWehZXpsluCeztbsI5vWR6odc9SOsn0BeRNd85mA6JtC2w36PPFMgohGui6lwgAt_kOcuAZA1yQ/s1600/IMG_1188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhcOoubekpR8yyomiqIK_DLVxg8u2MAnxfHAPSjgGbBdsL_mE-wtEgBODxtvArWehZXpsluCeztbsI5vWR6odc9SOsn0BeRNd85mA6JtC2w36PPFMgohGui6lwgAt_kOcuAZA1yQ/s320/IMG_1188.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Harvest House editor, Kim Moore</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCA2TTanJS8lAgTKiXYr_xyhgf9TjD0Z2C83NOKXu3T72Q0u9Vnl_ZjsU9QutMVeTPj11ALQys6uJqoAyS2_HK9RN85JfXLz5NjqTpyU4Ae5s4OVgHTQtSv8NVxYpaFX6PUhGIg/s1600/IMG_1199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCA2TTanJS8lAgTKiXYr_xyhgf9TjD0Z2C83NOKXu3T72Q0u9Vnl_ZjsU9QutMVeTPj11ALQys6uJqoAyS2_HK9RN85JfXLz5NjqTpyU4Ae5s4OVgHTQtSv8NVxYpaFX6PUhGIg/s320/IMG_1199.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Sandra Bishops lovely puppy! And photo montage</td></tr>
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<br />Rachel Hauckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481185182145667961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767888.post-31522544272981568492012-08-10T03:00:00.000-04:002012-08-10T03:00:03.302-04:00I like the quiet...I like the quiet.<br />
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When the only sound in my office is the whir of the ceiling fan.<br />
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The tick of a clock that won't keep time.<br />
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The rapid click-click of my keyboard.<br />
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The resonance of my thoughts...<br />
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I like the quiet.<br />
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Those moments when the world is still.<br />
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When the breeze lies down.<br />
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When peace finds a harbor.<br />
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I like quiet.<br />
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When the white noise of ceases.<br />
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When social media ends.<br />
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When the music is off.<br />
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The radio dim.<br />
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No voices outside or in.<br />
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I like the quiet.<br />
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When God speaks.<br />
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JOY!<br />
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I like the quiet...Rachel Hauckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481185182145667961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767888.post-59419527152597823822012-08-07T15:25:00.001-04:002012-08-07T15:25:28.270-04:00ACK! How many days since my last post...It's true. I've scientifically confirmed it...<br />
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Time flies!<br />
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What have I been doing since my last blog?<br />
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Mentoring, hosting company, plotting my next book... Working title An Uncommon Princess.<br />
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I'd planned to be here more. After all this is my own, personal blog watering hole. But, alas, I've not meandered by.<br />
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I'm writing today. Rewrites for Once Upon A Prince. The book releases April 2013! So excited for this book.<br />
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How about some pictures? Sure...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTAI7MjZltnJF7G2WrBHNvJfn4JIsOxX-tOzQkkUYGXcEx5ojympoXJw8gT8-NOtbq_cCTiS555OwCTrDLWOOU40iXp-OaMMH1aYA9JJ43OkLXgdBdjTwzbSlM0XUTyY97dgQ3w/s1600/IMG_1108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTAI7MjZltnJF7G2WrBHNvJfn4JIsOxX-tOzQkkUYGXcEx5ojympoXJw8gT8-NOtbq_cCTiS555OwCTrDLWOOU40iXp-OaMMH1aYA9JJ43OkLXgdBdjTwzbSlM0XUTyY97dgQ3w/s320/IMG_1108.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch with friends. Two of the couples worked in youth with Hubs when I met him!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQnvzMNOXybuUc4F_fbcGDuZf2KGj9v-tBAWpX5cMyscmpij11FQEyOXL6MLBhefKNBYH_kTXf-a5lhbsDuwjcS506XGWD_d2mFfh0mJg4K85Df4lMpdzqE-JHL3i_YGMrBdAubA/s1600/IMG_1113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQnvzMNOXybuUc4F_fbcGDuZf2KGj9v-tBAWpX5cMyscmpij11FQEyOXL6MLBhefKNBYH_kTXf-a5lhbsDuwjcS506XGWD_d2mFfh0mJg4K85Df4lMpdzqE-JHL3i_YGMrBdAubA/s320/IMG_1113.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The picture says it all</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja24_NTA8o458gdTMtvYglkDZyB85SdY5rL-Ca4Tg0wnEZBKEl3f92qF7v6yRXyAIyvwFnrN_pMHSYJgBrFGdd_jH-Gwec8FUSFjh8bfSzgVbHY7ix0NMm8LoDcIAM8XDVo2-QYA/s1600/IMG_1114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja24_NTA8o458gdTMtvYglkDZyB85SdY5rL-Ca4Tg0wnEZBKEl3f92qF7v6yRXyAIyvwFnrN_pMHSYJgBrFGdd_jH-Gwec8FUSFjh8bfSzgVbHY7ix0NMm8LoDcIAM8XDVo2-QYA/s320/IMG_1114.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notes from brainstorming a rewrite scene with the great Susie May.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A gift. What a nice surprise.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEukPB2w4GqDd4YU_aB_XtmwZEHk3pGEM7Z3l21e9yXcPsa3jBgiT2DmA1WtbVhzx5JCH2m3-GgEPoqHamH1HXlEE_TJUIuliJmkDeYz2pXbzAcqlxaiXJEvtyDFUKvs99kEq21g/s1600/IMG_1098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEukPB2w4GqDd4YU_aB_XtmwZEHk3pGEM7Z3l21e9yXcPsa3jBgiT2DmA1WtbVhzx5JCH2m3-GgEPoqHamH1HXlEE_TJUIuliJmkDeYz2pXbzAcqlxaiXJEvtyDFUKvs99kEq21g/s320/IMG_1098.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long time friends the Leslies. Thumbs up from a Michigan State fan!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX2UNl9M4kN_67xBa-TIPQ7lFGZttzMd55szAHekCsm-WORrPAHZ_RRLfbmJs8RForA75bDAeSt6MrrF4qI2vM47HFT_XsDf9lbXUL2EUysSK86CH4DHWa98xLE_tyENJ2dTfizg/s1600/IMG_1103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX2UNl9M4kN_67xBa-TIPQ7lFGZttzMd55szAHekCsm-WORrPAHZ_RRLfbmJs8RForA75bDAeSt6MrrF4qI2vM47HFT_XsDf9lbXUL2EUysSK86CH4DHWa98xLE_tyENJ2dTfizg/s320/IMG_1103.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hector, the yard jockey!</td></tr>
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<br />Rachel Hauckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481185182145667961noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767888.post-74368317662570890752012-07-27T15:34:00.000-04:002012-07-27T16:23:02.848-04:00Diary of a Writer: Starting A New BookI'm starting a new book. It requires a lot of thinking... A lot of staring at out the window. A lot of noodling.<br />
<br />
Let's see, what is this book about? What story question can I ask? What is the journey of my protagonists.<br />
<br />
This will be my second book in the Royal Wedding Novels. The first "Once Upon A Prince," releases next April from Zondervan.<br />
<br />
I'm tentatively calling this story "An Uncommon Princess" because she is just that, "uncommon."<br />
<br />
The Lord is dropping these salvation and bridal themes in my stories lately.<br />
<br />
I love grasping and molding a high level spiritual theme because it gives me understanding into the journey of the characters.<br />
<br />
But yea, midway through writing, in the throws of deadline and mucking through the middle, don't be surprised to hear a heavy "Sigh" or two coming from my direction.<br />
<br />
Hey, random questions: "What do you think is the best way for an author to get her book to the readers?"<br />
<br />
"How can she best interact with old and new readers?"<br />
<br />
"What makes you a forever fan of an author?"<br />
<br />
Thank you for responding.<br />
<br />
Now, back to me... LOL.<br />
<br />
Back in the '90s when we sang that song, "It's all about You, Jesus..." I used to tease the teens and sing, "It's all about me..."<br />
<br />
Sure the metaphor was lost on them but I had fun anyway. Got to be kind of my signature song for awhile. Ha!<br />
<br />
Praise the Lord it's NOT all about me. What a drag that would be.<br />
<br />
Well, I'll make this a short post. Have a great weekend.<br />
<br />Rachel Hauckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481185182145667961noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767888.post-63413062397639078132012-07-20T11:39:00.000-04:002012-07-20T11:52:19.427-04:00Diary of a Writer: Busyness! ICRS Trade Show!Hey all!<br />
<br />
Just back from the International Christian Retail Show which took place this week at the Orange Country Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.<br />
<br />
It's a straight shot from my house -- about an hour plus -- and I drove over Sunday night to spend a few days.<br />
<br />
I love trade shows. I love meeting people, catching up with old friends, making new ones, walking the show floor, standing in line for the newest and lastest books.<br />
<br />
My first trade was in '87. Vegas. With my first job. I was a software trainer and we helped support the trade shows. I got the honor of being the "in the round" speaker.<br />
<br />
Someone sat at the proprietary computer program, ran the software while I talked about the system's features.<br />
<br />
Fun!<br />
<br />
So, I love trade shows.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFBEN5EW9FBdISKTvIeXQsc-BuPaSy8xyCC1bbxZRP4RrLqGnVwLBTp2fbh8nUQaVcRJY1jAUQA6FfdKGIrsiUAC7ufaaG6XBkXye-s1KV41W9CTkYdUlCZ3MYBSZOQn9HrCVAsw/s1600/IMG_0934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFBEN5EW9FBdISKTvIeXQsc-BuPaSy8xyCC1bbxZRP4RrLqGnVwLBTp2fbh8nUQaVcRJY1jAUQA6FfdKGIrsiUAC7ufaaG6XBkXye-s1KV41W9CTkYdUlCZ3MYBSZOQn9HrCVAsw/s320/IMG_0934.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Javier by the giant iPod! He freaked. <br />
But I was looking at the giant book! </td></tr>
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Monday morning my friend Javier LaBoy and I led worship for a small prayer gathering.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy74sb3YlemqdVbGz7t4JkaNlwvdcgByRM0rS_1yzlPEMmEg6sdcYjx7g9F31YH5oscuvX3P8QsgBC8OR13zRpjKAbHjtz1fKe4DNxjBRTlH-kPRW_2E8ovr16PfaBvBWCkA9YKg/s1600/IMG_0938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy74sb3YlemqdVbGz7t4JkaNlwvdcgByRM0rS_1yzlPEMmEg6sdcYjx7g9F31YH5oscuvX3P8QsgBC8OR13zRpjKAbHjtz1fKe4DNxjBRTlH-kPRW_2E8ovr16PfaBvBWCkA9YKg/s320/IMG_0938.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Author Gayle Roper sharing on the ACFW panel</td></tr>
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Then I went on the trade floor and helped with the <a href="http://www.americanchristianfictionwriters.com/" target="_blank">ACFW</a> panels.<br />
<br />
That was fun. Since the show is for retailers, we focused the power and importance of story and fiction.<br />
<br />
We also shared about <a href="http://www.fictionfinder.com/" target="_blank">Fiction Finder</a>, ACFW's database that helps reader find the kind of novels they love to read.<br />
<br />
In the afternoon I participated at the Fiction Event put on by the lovely <a href="http://suzyq4u.com/" target="_blank">Suzanne Kuhn.</a><br />
<br />
I was able to talk about The Wedding Dress for a minute or two, then sign for the retailers.<br />
<br />
I sat next to Colleen Coble and we ran out of books lickity-split!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLD-y_0Lr_cFhIamBfK81II5B4Ush6AbOW5euLTUCfb0s1pw57tx5FTB8A40ov9_36ZD2NRc4o2TmGoLMH73icbs33RsJXFKSh1h6XOZP8Xc-4xU1nyasQW3p-Ca89MGRYqQhthQ/s1600/IMG_0947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLD-y_0Lr_cFhIamBfK81II5B4Ush6AbOW5euLTUCfb0s1pw57tx5FTB8A40ov9_36ZD2NRc4o2TmGoLMH73icbs33RsJXFKSh1h6XOZP8Xc-4xU1nyasQW3p-Ca89MGRYqQhthQ/s320/IMG_0947.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me with Kim Alexis</td></tr>
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The big highlight of the Fiction Event though was meeting supermodel, Kim Alexis.<br />
<br />
I said, "Kim Alexis, wow!" She was there promoting her book with Mindy Starns Clark, "Beauty to Die For."<br />
<br />
At the 13th Annual Christy Awards, I was the guest blogger, helping Tyson Wynn of Wynn-Wynn let online attendees know what was going on in the room.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpoeyXxGOaGbk_Ns1yEYmNuBxlWIPRyLJmo3xQH-pQIHvuGvOvxTgjSS7TJ_EGneisAiYN7oN5bXAvsQdD4fL-wewwzl7faH8hUnm233pkB4rRB_6_cZV290BniLlhwdcBJ5Tr2Q/s1600/IMG_0962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpoeyXxGOaGbk_Ns1yEYmNuBxlWIPRyLJmo3xQH-pQIHvuGvOvxTgjSS7TJ_EGneisAiYN7oN5bXAvsQdD4fL-wewwzl7faH8hUnm233pkB4rRB_6_cZV290BniLlhwdcBJ5Tr2Q/s320/IMG_0962.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Tyson Wynn at the Christy Awards</td></tr>
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<br />
Allen Arnold was the keynote speaker and he was so good, so quotable I was able to blog a lot for the online viewers.<br />
<br />
You can view our live blog <a href="http://www.christyawards.com/ca_new/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=106:2012-award-ceremony-liveblog&catid=42:news&Itemid=61" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Tuesday I sat again for some ACFW panels and walked the show floor. I learned a few things.<br />
<br />
The new buzz word is "discoverability." Meaning, how can readers discover you and your work. Social media is a part of that but I'm not sure what else is involved.<br />
<br />
Seriously, I think the word was invented this week so the definition is still be molded. But I get where "they" are going.<br />
<br />
Cozy mysteries sell well in e-book.<br />
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Trade books are still the largest part of the market because people still like to hold a trade book, but the market is still changing.<br />
<br />
From Allen Arnold's keynote: Be present as much as you are productive. Your main priority is to live life and walk with God. You can't write about what you are not.<br />
<br />
Allen really focused on having a relationship with Jesus above being great writers or great publishers. I really appreciated that about his talk.<br />
<br />
I'm home now. Catching up and starting to write my next book, tentatively titled An Uncommon Princess. ;)<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8noQx3VVrVKAdaADu5VHg9_qIpR5daeLt-kc6BVDBELnjjnn7rSFVtyvoqAGZ0hUIhyH2-sCxLoc5qXCfHE1lZqEdFBRtb2JoKSp1FIRgOY6eWrqQ-amseNoBFoCBqQEeYlT_w/s1600/IMG_0949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8noQx3VVrVKAdaADu5VHg9_qIpR5daeLt-kc6BVDBELnjjnn7rSFVtyvoqAGZ0hUIhyH2-sCxLoc5qXCfHE1lZqEdFBRtb2JoKSp1FIRgOY6eWrqQ-amseNoBFoCBqQEeYlT_w/s320/IMG_0949.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With fellow belle and Christy nominee, Lisa Wingate</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMopTHjBih4ywXI8GBRpk-QOfQc4FrU24AOHG9F2U0mvMFqqDwoTJDCpL5TP5ncB7CpRkdc_4qaZ-UfSGrqpQlmKLIwh6b6bJ3RWF0YDp3sMN1Oudry-_y5nQzKfCLXCbPvX2MfA/s1600/IMG_0950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMopTHjBih4ywXI8GBRpk-QOfQc4FrU24AOHG9F2U0mvMFqqDwoTJDCpL5TP5ncB7CpRkdc_4qaZ-UfSGrqpQlmKLIwh6b6bJ3RWF0YDp3sMN1Oudry-_y5nQzKfCLXCbPvX2MfA/s320/IMG_0950.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goofing with agent Chip MacGregor</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdIAR_g2_-wh0osohHYqJ1xVbd-BR5H7bbwDTpXp2-dfQiVzfjLBaCUOjpw1kXKtdDMZQ2Xbngy9YgPGxg5Vaid03-6AscVvBU3K2fcDJ4LR2ynTwVw7CsGquz82vYLl_pkeKA9A/s1600/IMG_0951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdIAR_g2_-wh0osohHYqJ1xVbd-BR5H7bbwDTpXp2-dfQiVzfjLBaCUOjpw1kXKtdDMZQ2Xbngy9YgPGxg5Vaid03-6AscVvBU3K2fcDJ4LR2ynTwVw7CsGquz82vYLl_pkeKA9A/s320/IMG_0951.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oops was this the serious picture?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PFAvlGxXi2bFNvZnKWVcFfsJTpxKcpwg-simOZ7xJAuo2RaQZEdCj_uNGz0UwiMaeotD18hVLudXsKpxKnUJ6JaiyFpR1m56eCR4inKhe0yTk_-9_1Be1h2JVe0qT6XdMFpOvA/s1600/IMG_0952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PFAvlGxXi2bFNvZnKWVcFfsJTpxKcpwg-simOZ7xJAuo2RaQZEdCj_uNGz0UwiMaeotD18hVLudXsKpxKnUJ6JaiyFpR1m56eCR4inKhe0yTk_-9_1Be1h2JVe0qT6XdMFpOvA/s320/IMG_0952.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With friend and ACFW ass't conference director Allison Wilson.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNkqBAjxAZg6L0ZMyd70zKHzoQlYdxwDItTKv-BhUlq1yIcomCjYL1vTn9IVNio86V7Rno3Wvp7kfM-so7TwgCf0HsSgqROJrB-H7f-Cs8chnX-oolSJ7BTl_BQ0-wgQmnzwQBw/s1600/IMG_0956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNkqBAjxAZg6L0ZMyd70zKHzoQlYdxwDItTKv-BhUlq1yIcomCjYL1vTn9IVNio86V7Rno3Wvp7kfM-so7TwgCf0HsSgqROJrB-H7f-Cs8chnX-oolSJ7BTl_BQ0-wgQmnzwQBw/s320/IMG_0956.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the humorous Dave Long, BHP editor.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFRM5jj_OP5aSZ120UGU0NdPFN1w2EtaokGOnOFdHQ-0Z1Gm7GZ-EFN5mtYrMp5wMk3oWVcbTaCfqUSBYjIy6NUWm9yid0i99ZyxfdP1v2WB2lu6EJhYpf4YDNuH6DmWI7ycklg/s1600/IMG_0957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFRM5jj_OP5aSZ120UGU0NdPFN1w2EtaokGOnOFdHQ-0Z1Gm7GZ-EFN5mtYrMp5wMk3oWVcbTaCfqUSBYjIy6NUWm9yid0i99ZyxfdP1v2WB2lu6EJhYpf4YDNuH6DmWI7ycklg/s320/IMG_0957.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Christy Winner Steven James.</td></tr>
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<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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVc22xuU-saLF0B4Se8VPnpC2evyxhOgqM6F6VA9NKR7PhkYy9jguunOapPfT0eLxtEFHn3_eMVad6Z0-DcEt6XSoxS3RI5yBXbjoxbv5hK23EfsD1Ndzm6jZpopxRf4jd14YKQ/s1600/IMG_0958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVc22xuU-saLF0B4Se8VPnpC2evyxhOgqM6F6VA9NKR7PhkYy9jguunOapPfT0eLxtEFHn3_eMVad6Z0-DcEt6XSoxS3RI5yBXbjoxbv5hK23EfsD1Ndzm6jZpopxRf4jd14YKQ/s320/IMG_0958.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Christy Winner Ronie Kendig.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnUSPtsRq4YtN-KwXmExe-qaVo78VOV1VGLBT-TCZz2QxOwBu71P8P0WU1HLyZcYPTtFd8aWs0lvJxI3d6qT-59L3-mbbN5q-YMKiRXQoABifzTwkK1em4j_ejzGzfD63-p0z8w/s1600/IMG_0959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnUSPtsRq4YtN-KwXmExe-qaVo78VOV1VGLBT-TCZz2QxOwBu71P8P0WU1HLyZcYPTtFd8aWs0lvJxI3d6qT-59L3-mbbN5q-YMKiRXQoABifzTwkK1em4j_ejzGzfD63-p0z8w/s320/IMG_0959.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Christy Winner Julie Klassen</td></tr>
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<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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_nczyzbSmsxD1ThV_zvauMbkXlMGGe1sFMY0XowiYunNvxajL7sQceopQaXLFNPrEGO1VcTsg4mPcNNJnEzYGYKC06GjNthMHd9dNnYTwnkoS9qsgvMdGZ_AVZETJorQHHOUeTg/s1600/IMG_0960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_nczyzbSmsxD1ThV_zvauMbkXlMGGe1sFMY0XowiYunNvxajL7sQceopQaXLFNPrEGO1VcTsg4mPcNNJnEzYGYKC06GjNthMHd9dNnYTwnkoS9qsgvMdGZ_AVZETJorQHHOUeTg/s320/IMG_0960.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With a future Christy Winner, I'm sure, Dani Pettrey.</td></tr>
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<br />Rachel Hauckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481185182145667961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767888.post-40896717201993881192012-07-12T06:49:00.004-04:002012-07-12T06:53:20.401-04:00Diary of a Writer: Sweet Caroline & Helping Others Pt 2... So there I am. Zombied on a Sunday afternoon, knots in my stomach, talking to Susie Warren on the phone.<br />
<br />
"Send it to me," she says.<br />
<br />
"What? My manuscript?" Gulp. It's horrible. She'll be the first to see I can't write. But I was desperate. I emailed it. Oh, praise the Lord for email, seriously!<br />
<br />
She called me an hour later. The book was good. I just needed some direction. By later afternoon, she returned my first chapter, rewritten. No small feat to do with someone else's manuscript.<br />
<br />
I got the gist and feel of what she was telling me and started my own rewrite that night.<br />
<br />
By Monday I'd gotten some sleep and was feeling a bit more hopeful. Even excited. I could do this!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqnY9l_c74zqQltidcm21M-s-R-utAGUKLD4nDl58jOOtqMRrNCHzI3l32wBAQlNO5xCtpTUgdwZdCMQ0w2wdGXIRwbW16lRozgthZLYPDxio5kPoFWJEnDFEBzJ-EQjnqFXYbg/s1600/475322_397750673585224_1364229278_o.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqnY9l_c74zqQltidcm21M-s-R-utAGUKLD4nDl58jOOtqMRrNCHzI3l32wBAQlNO5xCtpTUgdwZdCMQ0w2wdGXIRwbW16lRozgthZLYPDxio5kPoFWJEnDFEBzJ-EQjnqFXYbg/s400/475322_397750673585224_1364229278_o.jpeg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">With Susan May Warren Feb 2012</span></td></tr>
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I never let up in my prayers and hope in the Lord. I'm a bit of an optimist, a dreamer, so I thought, "I can think it stinks but my editor might love it."<br />
<br />
By now you're wondering why I didn't ask for an extension.<br />
<br />
Because,<span style="background-color: white;"> I don't like missing a deadline. I wanted a reputation as being a solid author who turned her work in on time.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">And there was no reason for me to ask for an extension. I had plenty of time to write the book.</span><br />
<br />
Also, my editor was pregnant and a month away from maternity leave. If I asked for a week's extension, she might have had time to get to my manuscript before she had her baby, but maybe not.<br />
<br />
On top of that, Hubby and I were heading off to NY with a worship team to do a mini conference. So I was traveling the first week of March.<br />
<br />
Any extension request would have to be for 3-4 weeks and for sure my editor would be spending time with her new baby, not mine. :)<br />
<br />
Besides, asking for a few extra days, even a week isn't so bad, but three or four weeks? No, I couldn't do it.<br />
<br />
Of this I was confident, I could fix whatever was wrong with the manuscript after a substantive edit. I'd rather turn a book in on time then roll up my sleeves to perfect it after wise input and feedback.<br />
<br />
Tuesday I took a short break to meet author friend's Davis Bunn and Mark Mynheir for coffee and Barnes and Noble. I still had a lot of rewriting to do by Thursday's deadline, but hanging with author friends would inspire me. And I figured I could stretch my deadline by one day to Friday.<br />
<br />
When I returned home that afternoon, I got my second miracle. The first was Susie's help and invaluable input. The second was an email from my editor.<br />
<br />
Out of the blue she wrote that they'd decided to put me on a 9 month release schedule and therefore I didn't have to turn in Sweet Caroline until May 25th.<br />
<br />
I was ecstatic. I had three <i>extra</i> months. Three! Months! Forget the extended deadline and release. Forget my editor would be out on maternity leave and not read my manuscript. Forget the delay in payment. I had three months!<br />
<br />
<i>Wahoooo! Thank you, Jesus, thank you, Jesus!</i><br />
<br />
Believe it or not, I took all of March off. I just needed some distance. But I worked hard April and May, turned the book in on time to the lovely Leslie Peterson substituting for Ami McConnell.<br />
<br />
Sweet Caroline went on to win ACFW Book of the Year and First Place in Sweet Romance for an RWA contest.<br />
<br />
Now here's why I think the delayed release notice was a miracle. Later that fall as I was writing Love Starts With Elle, I got an email from my editor, checking in, seeing how I was doing with Elle's story.<br />
<br />
"It's due December 1st, right?" she wrote.<br />
<br />
My heart stopped. No, March 1st. We were on a 9 month schedule, weren't we? I remembered reading the new deadlines in an email, didn't I. But who knows... I might have made it up in my head. LOL.<br />
<br />
Yet Elle was set to release six months after Caroline. Which yay, I liked being back on a six month release schedule but it meant Elle had to be turned in much sooner! We compromised on Feb 1. A more generous compromise to me than to them, which I was grateful.<br />
<br />
I'll have to blog about that journey next. Because when I hit send on Love Starts with Elle, I wept. Wept! For sure, for <i>sure</i>! this was the end of my writing career. Ami would know: Hack!<br />
<br />
But six books later, I'm still here. God is sooo amazing to keep me on the journey. I've got some good insight from Him on this writing thing to share too.<br />
<br />
<i>Stay tuned....</i><br />
<br />
<br />Rachel Hauckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08481185182145667961noreply@blogger.com4