Writing in Shades of Hope

I know I made a vow to myself to blog more often, but here I am in the midst of a new project, Shades of Hope, a young adult Christian Novel, dealing with overcoming not only disability, but other issues as well, more painful than even a disability, because I felt the good Lord calling me to do this.

I may not have been blogging as often as I should, but I have been writing, and have nearly sixty pages on Shades of Hope, and am passionate about what I am writing about, that in itself is important right?

I try to write at least two thousand words a day, sometimes more, and sometimes less, but I generally try to write a chapter, and two thousand words I feel is a good chapter amount for a young adult book, that is dealing with as many painful subject matters as Shades of Hope, because I do not want to spend to long focusing on one thing, nor do I want to spend two little times.

As a Christian Writer, I try to make sure I write nothing that would allow others to question my faith, but I do tend to deal with painful subjects, some may say are even taboo, but in a way that shows the light of the Lord, shinning in the end.  I try to teach my Characters a lesson, and show them the importance of leaning on Christ, but I am not perfect, and I do have my faults.  I may not be the greatest writer but I think of myself as a good writer, not because of anything I do, but because the Lord so often moves my pen.

1 John 1

The Incarnation of the Word of Life

 ¹ That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. ² The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. ³ We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. ⁴ We write this to make our^[a] joy complete.

Light and Darkness, Sin and Forgiveness

 ⁵ This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. ⁶ If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. ⁷ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all^[b] sin.

 ⁸ If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

Hope In Writing

Why do I write what I want, why do I stive to make all my stories, no matter how serious or dramatic they are, portray a Christian message?  The answer is simple, our Hope, is in the Lord, and I want to share that in a creative way.  The Lord gave me the gift of words, so shouldn't the words I write, glorify the one who gave me the gift.
“then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”” Acts 4:10,12 NIV
I do not try to write in such a way that makes you feel like I am cramming something down your throat, because I know from experience that more than often does not work, but I can not write in a way that compromises my faith either.  I write in a way that I find works for me, my stories are creations the Lord has given me some mysteries, some more dramatic, and some inspirational, but my words are my gift from the Lord, and my words are my gift back to him.
As a writer the greatest compliment I could get is to have someone say that a story I have created, a character who came from my imagination has touched their lives in some way.  I am sure many of my fellow authors feel that way as well.  As novelists we want our stories to be believable, while being fiction.
In Christs Love
Michelle~

Make Money Writing Interview With Janice Hanna Thompson

Please note book does not go free until Monday-Friday, thank you...

In Christs Love

Michelle

Janice Thompson/booksbyjanice@aol.com

Welcome, Janice. Can you tell us about your latest venture?

Thanks for having me. I’m thrilled to share about my latest book, MAKE MONEY WRITING, which is now available from amazon for kindle users. The book, which is loaded with helpful hints for freelancers, is free from March 12^th – March 17^th. After that, it will sell for $4.49.

Can you tell us a little about yourself and your writing experience?

Sure! I write under the names “Janice Thompson” and “Janice Hanna.” I just signed contract #79 (For QUEEN OF THE WAVES) and have written in a variety of genres, including romance, historical, contemporary, cozy mystery, juvenile fiction, non-fiction and more. I’m best known for my light-hearted contemporary novels and for my quirky characters. I’m pretty passionate about writing, and even more passionate about helping others discover their writing talents and abilities. For the past seven years I’ve worked as a full-time freelancer, earning my living with my books, teachings, articles, and write-for-hire work.

Why did you decide to write this book?

For several years now I’ve divided my time between freelance writing and teaching. So many aspiring writers discover that I’ve published several books and they come to me to ask the inevitable, “How do I get published?” question, usually followed by, “Is there really money to be made in publishing?” Over the past couple years I’ve put together several freelance writing courses to answer their questions, but I felt the need to do more, so I compiled all of my mini-teachings into one book.

Will readers get all of the same materials they would get in one of your courses?

No, the courses are very specific to their individual topics. MAKE MONEY WRITING covers a variety of areas of interest to the freelance writer, including: earning top dollar, magazine article writing, write-for-hire work, writing the novel and/or non-fiction book, the submission process, succeeding as a freelancer, and more. The book is not a textbook. Instead, it is motivational in tone and focuses on offering encouragement to freelancers and giving them basic tips for success in each of the areas listed above.

Can you tell us a little more about the book?  

Sure! It might make more sense to share some of the chapter titles because they will give you an idea of some of the topics readers will find in the book.

Earning Top Dollar

Jumping the Hurdles

In the Beginning. . .the Writer Set Goals

What Industry Pros are Saying about Goal-Setting

Write. . .for Hire!

Revolutionize Your Writing

Girls Just Wanta Have Funds

Double Your Word Count in Two Weeks

Cash in on Magazine Articles

Sync Up

Freelance Lingo

Stop, Drop and Roll (Adding the Crisis Scene)

From Mii to Wii (learning how to incorporate the “we” factor)

Make ‘Em Laugh

Elevating Your Elevator Pitch

Seven Days to Better Writing

Five Things a Writer can Learn from American Idol

Got Moxie?

Becoming a Public Speaker

Writers are from Mars, Readers are from Venus

. . .and much, much more!

What other projects are you working on?

I’m currently writing QUEEN OF THE WAVES, a novel set aboard the Titanic. Very compelling story, I must say! And I’m tickled about my upcoming release, Wedding Belles.

You mentioned your courses. Can you tell us what’s going on in that world?

Yes, thanks for asking. I’m tickled about the recent release of my Non-Fiction Writing Course. I recorded this course in the studio several months ago and had a blast doing it. I’m convinced this is the most comprehensive package I’ve ever put together. Non-Fiction writers should be able to take this course and find some degree of success building their platform, writing short pieces and fully developing a non-fiction book. There’s even information on how to pitch (and ultimately market) the non-fiction book.

Here are the ten topics within the course:

From Magazines to Books: Building Your Platform

Understanding Non-Fiction Book Types

Best Selling Topics

Compiling Your Information (Braiding the Book)

33 Tips to Strengthen Your Writing

Incorporating Fiction Techniques in Your Non-Fiction

The Submission Process

Making the Sale (Includes all aspects of the contract/sale/edits/production)

Marketing Your Book

How to Stay in the Game

As with all of my courses, this one is available online at www.freelancewritingcourses.com. 

How can readers get the free kindle book?

They can follow this link to amazon: http://amzn.to/yBeVBh. The book will be free from March 12^th – March 17^th and will revert to is usual $4.49 price after that.

Janice, how can readers reach you?

I love to chat with my readers! To learn more about my books, visit:

www.janicehannathompson.com

To learn more about my writing courses, including my new non-fiction course, visit:

www.freelancewritingcourses.com

Facebook: JaniceHannaThompson

Twitter: booksbyjanice

The Stories We Tell

I was doing a google search for Young Adult Christian Novels dealing with young adults who inspire despite having a disability, and I wanted fictional stories, but I am afraid I did not get many hits, so I started thinking about Sienna's story, and knew this is what the Lord was telling me too.

I have learned more in the past few weeks as an author, because I have been studying more,  and  I have been praying over what I write as well.  Sienna's character speaks to me at all the hours of the day or night, and I try to put the best of what she tells me on the page.

As a writer you have to also be a reader, and that means reading a lot, thankfully that is something I truly enjoy.  I have discovered some good Christian Novels for teens, but not so many on the subject matter I have, so I have been reading some of what's available.

Their are many wonderful Christian authors out their, that I admire and look up to.  Everyone from Collen Coble, to BJ Robinson, Frank Perretti and Tedd Deeker, when I am in the mood for a Christian Horror type book it's generally a Tedd Deeker that I pick up.

I have learned too the importance of showing and not telling, their is a difference, that sometimes in the moment can be hard.

She was nervous.  Simply tells us something, but if we say she tapped her pencil, as she nervously studied, twirling her finger through her hair she prayed that she would make it through the test.

Okay perhaps not the best or most creative of examples but you get the idea.

In Christ's Love:
Michelle

Isaiah 40:30-31

New International Version (NIV)

³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary,
   and young men stumble and fall;
³¹ but those who hope in the LORD
   will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
   they will run and not grow weary,
   they will walk and not be faint.