Captain's Log, Stardate 03.11.2006 Blog Book giveaway: My Monday book giveaway (LOVE THE SINNER) is here . My Thursday book giveaway (ALMOST HEAVEN) is here . You can still enter both of them. Just post a comment on those blog posts. On Monday, I'll draw the winner for LOVE THE SINNER and post the title for another book I'm giving away. Stay tuned. The Daphne: The contest bug has bit. I blame my friends on the SAYSF loop (you know who you are, you stinkers) who are contest junkies in denial. Another reason is because my agent encouraged me to enter because it will pad my writing resume to have any contest wins. I've only won one contest, the suspense category in the Noble Theme last year, so I decided to try a few more contests to see if I'm just a one-hit wonder or not. I entered two manuscripts in the Daphne today. Since I'm judging the Inspirational category, I entered my suspense in Mainstream and my Christmas chick-lit in Category (series). I admit I did to...

Captain's Log, Stardate 03.09.2006 My Sensitivity Meter: I took an email the wrong way today. It was because I've gotten tons of complaints from people about the Genesis, and so I automatically assume that emails are either lavish thanks, or whirling confusion, or angst-ridden annoyance. It's usually the third one. This email was annoyance, and what's more, it was a little unjustified, but it had a very valid point. But all I saw was the email-sender's annoyance at YET ANOTHER detail of the contest that I hadn't thought of beforehand. Meredith said it was God stretching me (which is true but didn't make me feel better). Ronie unearthed proof that the email was a little unjustified (which prevented me from feeling depressed about yet another mistake I've made for this contest). My husband pointed out that often life is not a matter of being right, it's being loving. So where does this leave me? With the unhappy realization that my Sensitivit...

Captain's Log, Stardate 03.08.2006 You've Got Books! : Christian Authors Network (CAN) launches email book club Ever wish you could "test drive" a book before buying it? CAN's new online book club, You've Got Books! lets you to do just that! Here's how this free service works. Once you subscribe to the CAN book club, you will receive a two-minute sample of a book by great Christian authors via email each weekday. By the end of the week, you'll have read a chapter or two of the book. By then, you'll have a pretty good idea if you'll enjoy the rest. You've Got Books! Fiction will feature books from popular Christian novelists like Lyn Cote, Susan Meissner, Shelley Bates, Lauraine Snelling, Gail Gaymer Martin, Randy Ingermanson, Kathryn Mackel, DiAnn Mills, and many more. Fans of Christian nonfiction will get a taste of the work of authors like Allison Bottke, Mary Byers, Tricia Goyer, Grace Fox, Cyndy Salzmann, Nancy Cobb, Connie Grigsby, and...

Captain's Log, Stardate 03.06.2006 Bible in 90 Days: Day 54. God describes Israel's sins, and I can't help thinking it sounds a lot like the US. God also keeps reiterating that He wants His people to repent and return to Him, which is very hopeful in the midst of His descriptions of judgment. Writing: I actually have time to write today, and I'm looking forward to it. Diet: Had a small breakfast and did some yoga this morning, which felt good. I might go walking with the dog later this afternoon if the weather improves. I'll have tunafish sandwich for lunch and hopefully eat smart tonight, too, since my husband has volleyball and won't be home.

Captain's Log, Stardate 03.05.2006 Leave any prayer requests in the comments and I’ll be praying this week. You don’t have to be Christian to leave a prayer request. If you’d rather not advertise to everyone on the blogosphere, just leave an unspoken prayer request or email me. Not to be mean or anything, but if you don't email me or comment to update your prayer request, I'm only going to pray 3 Sundays. Name above all names, we praise you. Father, please comfort the grieving and give them the peace that only you can cover them with. Give Christina the strength and guidance she needs as she finishes her time in Japan serving you. Thank you for her servant's heart. Please be with Heather as she works through the things you spoke to her about. Give her courage and trust, and thank you for her desire to love you more. Help Pammer overcome her fear, and thank you for how you've led her so far. Please continue to blanket her with your presence. I pray for healing for Sq...

Captain's Log, Stardate 02.28.2006 Continuing my interview with Margaret: CT: What's your writing schedule like? How do you ensure time for family and church? MD: I usually write when I get home from school then on the weekends. You have to make time for your family and church as anything you want to do. I'm a very organized person and my son is grown and on his own now. It was harder when he was at home. CT: What is your most memorable moment as a writer? Selling my first book! Nothing beats that. CT: When did you first discover that you were a writer? MD: When I finished my first book, I started to think of myself as a writer. Of course, I will never show anyone that first book. CT: Writing a novel is... MD: like bleeding all over the white paper. CT: LOL! I like that analogy. Must be your romantic suspense side coming out, or else Shirlee has rubbed off on you. ;) What's your greatest writing weakness and how do you overcome it? MD: Descripti...

Captain's Log, Stardate 02.27.2006 Margaret Daley has been an enthusiastic encourager to me since I started writing and posting on the Steeple Hill discussion boards. She's got a bazillion books under her belt and just keeps coming up with ideas and churning out novels despite working full-time as a teacher. Interview with Margaret Daley: CT: Who do you write for--moms, singles? What do you want to say to that demographic? MD: I write for both but I do deal with the dynamics of a family in a lot of my stories. CT: Where would you like to see your writing going, in terms of genre and scope, in the next several years? MD: I want to continue to write both Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense books but I also would like to tackle a longer story with many layers. CT: Do your kids influence your writing at all? How? How about hubby? How about your students? MD: Yes, my family influences my writing. What I do influences my writing. I think it would be hard to ...