How does this Central Maine writer like to kickback and relax? A day trip to the coast is most welcome every now and then. And, it’s bound to be inspiring.
The forecast was perfect—60s and sunny with a coastal spring breeze. We packed the car (jackets/coffee/snacks) and headed south along The Moosehead Trail (Route 7 from Newport to Belfast), then east over Head of Tide Road to meet Route 1, where we drove north to Searsport to enjoy one of our favorite spots—Moose Point State Park. This coastal gem is the perfect spot to savor an afternoon picnic, revel in the views of Penobscot Bay, climb its rock-bound shore and trek the trails through an awe spruce forest. Ah, the magic of Maine!
Thanks for hopping on board, friends. What’s your favorite spot to enjoy on a day away?
The “Rave Reviews Book Club SPOTLIGHT” is a great place to meet new authors and discover great new books. Today, the SPOTLIGHT is shining on Tim Hemlin, author of “The Wastelanders.” ~ Bette A. Stevens, 4writersandreaders.
The New
We thrive when the creative spirit pulses through our mind, body and soul and the new suddenly springs to life. And I fully admit that’s me. I love writing first drafts. If I had my way I’d only write first drafts for the rest of my life and they’d magically edit and revise themselves. When I first wrote The Wastelanders it took on a life of its own, surprising me at many turns. The Poet Theodore Roethke wrote, “Those who are willing to be vulnerable move among mysteries.” This is what I thought of when slowly I developed my little Time Witch in The Wastelanders. Si-Ting has prescient powers and discovers she can “bend time.” Think of the cat in the Matrix. Neo sees it then sees it again and comments he’s had a déjà vu. Instead it’s a glitch. Time has changed. Si-Ting can make changes, though they must be immediate and she is limited to the shadow of the present. It makes her strong, yet it also makes her vulnerable, open to danger. It is a powerful tool for good. Or evil, should this knowledge fall into the wrong hands. I’d not originally planned this for Si-Ting. But I allowed her to grow as the story unfolded, and she showed me the power she had. That’s what the new does for me. This is why I find the new delightful.
Author Bio:
Tim Hemlin is a marathoner, teacher, and has his master’s degree in counseling, but his passion for the environment sparked him to write The Wastelanders, a dystopian-clifi published in both e-book and paperback by Reputation Books. He is represented by Kimberley Cameron of Kimberley Cameron & Associates Literary Agency. Hemlin has also published a Wastelanders short story called ‘Black Silence’ as a bridge between the first book and its sequel. He is currently in the notes and brainstorming stage for the Wastelanders sequel. Recently the Muse has kindly allowed TIm to tap into that creative magic and pen a young adult urban fantasy. If all goes well with the edits and revision, the final draft should be completed by early summer. Finally, in the late 90s Ballantine published the Neil Marshall series of culinary mysteries set in Houston, Texas. These include If Wishes Were Horses, A Whisper of Rage (nominated for a Shamus Award), People in Glass Houses, A Catered Christmas (the one I most enjoyed writing), and Dead Man’s Broth. He has recently gotten the reversion rights and is planning on reissuing them under an elite publishing house out of New Orleans.
Hemingway liked running with the bulls. Tim enjoys running with dragons (that’s what he calls his grandkids).
Comments to Tim’s post are most welcomed and appreciated. Happy writing and reading, friends! ~ Bette A. Stevens, 4writersandreaders. (Member of Rave Reviews Book Club)
I was fortunate to capture spring’s magical beams composing melodies on our daffodils along the walkway to the Farmstead late last week. Naturally, I got inspired. Grabbed the Cannon, downloaded several images to my laptop and played around with photo editor. I’m a writer inspired by nature who loves to capture the moments and to create new images too. What’s inspiring you?
Sharon K. Connell is the author of Christian/romance/drama fiction and it’s a pleasure to have her with us today at 4writersandreaders.
What readers are saying
Christian/romance (fiction) novels by Sharon K. Connell
A Very Present Help by Sharon K. Connell
This book is artfully written and creatively weaves the plot from beginning to end. It is a great reminder that God is still involved in our lives. This is a must read and leaves the reader filled with hope! ~ Jennifer
It’s wonderful to have you with us today, Sharon. I can’t wait to find out more about you and your books. First of all, tell us a little about yourself.
Meet Author Sharon K. Connell
I was born in Wisconsin, grew up and went to school through College in Illinois. In 1988, I moved to Florida and graduated from Bible School in 1995. For most of my adult life, I have worked full-time in the clerical field. In December 2012, I decided to retire, and in March of 2013 moved to Houston, Texas. Since then I have been enjoying every minute of retirement from the clerical/business world and I have been writing full-time.
Today, I spend my time doing many things, which I never had the time to do before retiring. This includes at least one or two hours daily writing stories about people who discover (as I have) that God will only allow those things into your life that will help you grow and/or increase your faith.
At the age of twelve years old, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior. There has not been a day that has gone by where I have been disappointed in that decision. Many trials have crossed my path, most of which I brought on myself. Nonetheless, God has been with me every step of the way. I have never once felt that He deserted me or does not love me.
How long have you been writing and what type of writing do you normally do?
The genre in which I write is Christian/Romance/Drama. I could possibly add Mystery to the end of that list with the publishing of my fourth novel sometime this year.
While still working full-time, I began my first book around the year 2000—A Very Present Help.
In my stories, I try to bring out some promises in the Bible. Humor always is added for entertainment, along with a good love story. Then there is the villain who adds drama and sometimes mystery to the lives of my hero and heroine.
Can you give us a brief synopsis of your book?
My latest book published in December of 2014—There Abideth Hope deals with the life of a former Navy nurse, Lieutenant JG Lynne Temple and the man she meets in Florida, a youth pastor by the name of Nick Livingston. They run into a treacherous villain who recognizes Miss Temple from a murder trial during her college days, one in which she was the prime witness. While the couple is trying to get to know each other, they wind up dealing with kidnaped teens from a local Rave gone bad, drugs and human trafficking, not to mention attempted murder. The story goes from Chicago, Illinois to the war in Afghanistan to Pensacola, Florida.
What prompted you to write your novels, Sharon?
This is an easy one to answer. My dear friend, Alan J. O’Reilly, author of Sound of Battle and Desired Haven, talked me into it. I call him my adopted brother. We have known each other since shortly after 1990. Through the years, we have corresponded, although never met. When I would relay a story about something that had happened, he would always tell me, “You need to write a story about that.” After Hurricane Ivan hit Pensacola, Florida and I went through it all alone, I told him every detail. Again, he told me that I should write about it. This time I took him seriously. However, I did not write about the hurricane. A story about a girl being lonely came to mind and I was off and running. That story actually became my second book, Paths of Righteousness, but stemmed the writing of the first, A Very Present Help.
Do you have a favorite line from one of your books?
“You came within a gnat’s eyebrow of going for a swim with those dolphins, and you’re worried about your heel?” from There Abideth Hope. (The heel is a high heel and the line is spoken by the hero to the heroine, after she almost fell into the water trying to get a better look at her first live Florida dolphins).
Who is your favorite character and why?
I guess my favorite character from my books is Kathryn Kendall from Paths of Righteousness. She is the heroine I first thought up and started writing about. She is honest, faithful, gentle, beautiful, and sensitive; yet with an air of pride that gets the better of her at times.
What was the hardest part about writing your books?
Keeping all the events in the lives of my characters in order and consistent.
Do you do anything besides write?
Yes, besides all my normal house duties, I paint, sketch, blog, take pictures of nature, am a spectator at RC racetracks, I am an active birder (amateur), exercise (mostly by walking the Houston Bayous viewing the many birds that live there) and do some moon and star gazing.
How can readers get copies of your books?
My books are sold on Amazon and Kindle. If you look up my Author Page on Amazon, you will find all three novels.
What’s next for author Sharon K. Connell?
Currently, I am working on my fourth novel—His Perfect Love— about a young woman who has lived a self-centered life, to the point that her family has all but given up on her. God starts dealing with her by allowing things from her past to catch up with her causing fear and doubt. She bounces from Illinois to Minnesota, back to Illinois and winds up in Houston, Texas. You will have to read the book to find out the rest.
After I finish this story and it is ready for all of you readers, I will be begin my next book about a young woman trying to keep her family’s farm in Nebraska from winding up in the wrong hands after her parents pass away.
Sharon, it has been wonderful having you with us today. I’ve already checked out your books and videos. I’ve purchased and downloaded “A Very Present Help” to my kindle and can’t wait to read it. I’m a fan of Christian fiction and your books all sound great. Happy writing!
Dear Readers,
Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit. Sharon and I would love to hear from you, so please feel free to join the conversation (comments below) and be sure to take a look inside Sharon’s great books on Amazon. I think you’ll want to grab a novel or two.
I love creating art and kids do too!~ Bette A. Stevens, Maine author/illustrator of AMAZING MATILDA, A Monarch’s Tale at http://www.4writersandreaders.com
I’m delighted to have Fia Essen here at 4writersandreaders today and can’t wait to find out more about the author and her latest book:
Meet author Fia Essen and find out about her lastest novel, ARIEL.
Nicholas Blomfield talks about Fia Essen’s latest novel
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Fia’s work about Ariel and her struggle to find and develop herself.
Fia has a staggeringly strong descriptive style that I personally loved. It felt as though she had spent a great deal of time considering the characters, their lives, history and personal ups and downs. The vivid and life like descriptions of things gave the story a fantastic atmosphere helping to shape Ariel and her eventual triumph over life’s obstacles. I shall not spoil the plot or give too much away, I strongly advise reading it!
A truly wonderful piece of literature and well worth immersing yourself into Fia’s creative work. I have no doubt this is the start of a long and fruitful writing career – watch this space! — Nicholas Blomfield
To begin our interview, tell us a little about yourself, Fia.
I was born in Sweden in 1983. My passport claims I’m still Swedish even though I left Sweden more than twenty-five years ago. I grew up in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. And I spent my teenage years living in a stable. Literally. Horses were my next door neighbors. When other girls my age were perfecting the art of applying makeup and discussing boys, I was either mucking out stalls or on horseback, having the time of my life. Now I live in Athens, Greece with Taxi Driver, my Yorkshire Terrier.
How about your family life?
There’s three of us—me and my parents. We’re a small group of nomads. I’m an only child and Taxi Driver is my only child.
How long have you been writing and what type of writing do you normally do?
I’ve been making up stories for as long as I can remember. I have an active imagination. But I didn’t get serious about writing until 2010. What I write now fits into the Contemporary Fiction genre.
Can you give us a brief synopsis of your book?
Ariel is about a half-English, half-American, lifelong expatriate who was born in Hong Kong and now lives in Singapore. At the age of thirty-four, Ariel is in debt and out of luck. She used to have a career, a penthouse, and a group of fun friends. Now she has a dead-end job, a rented hovel of a home, and a rising stack of unpaid bills to keep her company. Just when she is starting to fear she will never be able to get her life back on track, she is contacted by the mysterious Muse Agency. And, suddenly, she is forced to question everything she thought she knew about herself and those around her.
What prompted you to write Ariel?
Every writer has heard the phrase “write what you know” at some point. So that’s exactly what I did. I wrote what I knew. On a personal level, I know what it’s like to be stuck in a rut.
One reader called Ariel“self-help turned fiction”… That’s a genre you don’t see a lot of but it describes Ariel well. What most self-help books fail to mention is that there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to self-help. Every person on the planet is a unique individual. So I began picking bits and pieces of self-help that helped me, advice that suited my personality. And then I put that into Ariel, hoping readers of the story would find something that could help them in their own lives.
Do you have a favorite line from the book?
“Think big, start small, and keep going.”
Who is your favorite character and why?
Ariel is my favorite character. The story is told from her point of view. So, as peculiar as it sounds, she and I became very close while I worked on the manuscript.
What was the hardest part about writing?
I love writing. Writing isn’t hard. The only hard part about being an author is gaining an audience. I’m working on it! I have a long road ahead of me but I’m committed to giving it my all. It’s all part of being an author.
Do you do anything besides write?
I’m the Company Administrator at Essen & Essen, which is a family owned company with interest and ownership in various companies and organizations. We specialize in activities related to business & personal growth, management consulting and interim management services.
How can our readers get a copy of ARIEL?
Ariel is available on Amazon, B&N, and from my publisher’s website.
More writing! Solstice Publishing will release Anna this summer. And I’m currently working on a story called Amanda, which will come out in time for Christmas. Ariel, Anna, Amanda… I have a thing for As.
Fia, thanks so much for joining us today. ARIEL, the story of a young woman caught in a rut, has me tap-tap-tapping my kindle to turn the pages to find out just how she’s going to climb out!
Readers, thanks so much for joining us today. Fia and I would love to hear from you. You’re invited to chat with us (comments below). Be sure to take a look inside Ariel on Amazon and dive right into the pages of a great new book. ~ Bette A. Stevens
Spring has finally sprung after a long and frigid winter at here at The Farmstead in Central Maine. Captured a rainbow and its promise in a spring Haiku. Hope you’re enjoying the sensational sights, sounds and scents of the season, friends! ~ Bette A. Stevens
While sipping breakfast tea and finishing a journal entry, I glanced up at the window and spotted striking black and white flutters darting among the lilac branches. The first feathered friend was a downy woodpecker. By the time I grabbed the camera, he had disappeared and a nearly identical but larger version, a hairy woodpecker, hung upside down, pecking the last of winter’s crumbs from the suet cage. They’re sure to be back to dine, but next time it will be on succulent spring favorites—buds and bugs. Inspiring. Ah, spring! ~ Bette A. Stevens
“Hi, Bethany. It’s great to be part of your Rave Reviews Book Club Spotlight Tour. Can’t wait to find out more about you and about ‘pay it forward’ too!” ~ Bette A. Stevens
Welcome to Rave Reviews Book Club’s “SPOTLIGHT” Author Blog Tour, featuring Bethany Turner.
Author and Rave Reviews Book Club member BETHANY TURNER.
I don’t know that I have had many experiences throughout this whole publishing journey of mine which have meant as much to me as the introduction of Rave Reviews Book Club’s Pay It Forward Week. Or, to be precise, Bethany Turner Pay It Forward Week. I was humbled and moved to learn my name would be associated with something so spectacular. I was not, however, at all surprised that Rave Reviews Book Club was choosing to take on something so supportive and groundbreaking.
That is just what RRBC does.
And though Pay It Forward Week may include my name in the title, it should be known that in principle, Pay It Forward Week has always been a product of Rave Reviews Book Club (RRBC).
I’m very open about the fact that I am not a fan of self-promotion. I don’t mind when you do it, I just personally hate to promote myself. However, I know it is necessary if I ever hope for anyone to read my work – and I am proud of my work. But do you know what I love? I love promoting my friends. I love to find something I am passionate about and then shout it from the rooftops, determined not to give up until everyone is as passionate about it as I am. I love that! For that reason, and a million others, I have found a home at RRBC. I work hard to promote my work, but I also get to work hard to promote the work of a group of people I care about. And guess what? They help me promote my work.
One week in particular—while I was having a big promotion—some of my friends at RRBC went above and beyond in their support. All the while, I promoted myself like crazy. By the end of the week, I thought I was tired of promotion and marketing, and I considered taking a week off. But then I realized…I wasn’t tired of promotion. Only self-promotion. Rather than take a week off, I took a week to promote some of the authors who had helped me out, and put aside my own self-promotion for the entire week. And it was the most wonderful week! I enjoyed every moment of it. And guess what? Unsurprisingly, most of the authors who had been the most supportive are members of Rave Reviews Book Club.
I’m incredibly proud to be a member of RRBC. Promoting myself will probably never be easy for me. But promoting RRBC and its amazing members? That’s something I am passionate about, and I intend to shout it from the rooftops, determined not to give up until everyone is as passionate about it as I am.
Welcome to 4writersandreaders
I’m a writer inspired by nature and human nature. You’ll find great books, authors, writing tips and more right here. I advocate for kids & families, childhood literacy and the protection of monarch butterflies and their habitat.Happy reading & writing!~Bette A. Stevens, Maine author
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Bette A. Stevens, Maine Author 
Written
on 05/27/2015