Page Turning Books

I never wanted to be an author, writer or a blogger. My book is a religious/spiritual book; I was given the assignment for this book by a simple conversation with God while in prayer. Similar to the story of Moses, in his journey, he encountered a burning bush experience. I too have encountered an experience like this though not in a physical sense but more in a supernatural experience in the spiritual. In this experience God gave me everything that I needed to get my start. I went from knowing nothing about how to write, to becoming a published author. A lot of my lessons have come from trials and error. God has been my inspiration throughout every step of this book. Without Him it would not have been written. The best thing that I have learned is never to say “never”. If you say never you may close the door on the best opportunity in your life.

This book is a biblical perspective on how God wants us to see and get through the trials that life brings our way. It is a book of conversations and things brought to our attention that we may not always see and how through scripture God wants us to get through them.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre - Christian Living

Rating – G

More details about the author

Connect with Carlos Aranda through Facebook & Twitter

Website http://carlosaranda.tateauthor.com

Top 3 Tips for Beating Writer’s Block

Writing is like exercising. Once you get started, it can be enjoyable, and it always feels great when you’ve finished a good session. But finding the motivation (or inspiration) to get started in the first place – that can be a challenge.

According to some, writer’s block amounts to nothing more than sheer laziness, and maybe they’re right. I’ve had days when I wanted to do anything but write, yet managed to knock out some quality material once I locked myself away in the cave and committed to the job. However, it’s not always that simple. Some days I’ll sit down, eager to write, only to find that my brain isn’t being cooperative. I’ve literally struggled with a single sentence for over an hour, typing and retyping it in a thousand different ways, hating each new version more than the last.

That’s writer’s block. It’s a feeling that makes me want to toss my laptop through the window and scream “never again!” to the writing gods. But who am I kidding? Like an abused lover who loves the abuse, I keep coming back, and I’ve found three solutions that tend to help me forge on.

Solution 1: Skip it.

If a certain scene just isn’t coming to you, skip it for the time being. It’s helpful to hold yourself to a daily writing commitment, but nobody said you have to write your story in order. Jumping to a fresh scene can be a great way to get your creative juices flowing again and renew a sense of excitement in your work. Of course, your aim should be to make every scene exciting, and if the section you’re stuck on really isn’t…

Solution 2: Cut it.

Before you slave away, striving to make that particularly cumbersome scene work, ask yourself: How much would be lost if I cut this segment from the narrative? Maybe the reason your scene isn’t working is because it’s not meant to be. Are you forcing a passage into your story merely because you’re in love with a snippet of dialogue, despite the surrounding action not being terribly eventful?

Don’t do it. Trim that unnecessary fat and leave your overwrought scene on the drawing board. It might hurt losing those few lines that you like, but the sacrifice is worth it. I can’t overstate the relief I’ve felt when it stuck me that a passage I was struggling with wasn’t truly vital to the story at all. The slimmer, sleeker tale that resulted flowed better for readers, and good pacing is worth far more than a witty line or two.

Solution 3: Get some fresh air.

Despite the writing drill sergeants who preach that you just have to power through it, sometimes getting away from the keyboard may be exactly what you need. There have been days when I’ve beat myself up over trying to hammer out a passage just right, only to leave the computer and have the perfect words miraculously spring to mind mere minutes after I commit to doing something else. I’ll be taking a walk or a drive, and there it’ll be – the wonderful sentence I’d been striving for in vain all those fruitless hours in front of my monitor.

So get out. Get some fresh air. But here’s the thing: don’t overdo it.

A break should mean getting away from the computer for an hour, maybe the rest of the night. It shouldn’t mean taking a month-long vacation from writing to go “find your center.” Every writer has a rhythm, and you can lose that rhythm if you take off for too long. You may even forget the tone or direction of your story. If you need a week to clear your mind after every three pages, then writing probably isn’t for you.

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre - Christian Fiction

Rating – PG-13

More details about the author and the book

Connect with Donald J. Amodeo on Twitter

Location and life experiences can really influence writing, tell us where you grew up and where you now live?
I was born in Smithtown NY and raised in Rocky Mount, NC. I currently live in music city! I love how everyone I meet here is pursuing their dreams. Living in Nashville keeps me inspired on a daily basis.

How did you develop your writing?
I journal often and as a former pastor, I had to write sermons each week. If someone fell asleep during the sermon, I knew I needed to revise my writing style! That actually did happen a couple of times.

Where do you get your inspiration from?
Pain. Joy. Humor.

What is hardest – getting published, writing or marketing?
Writing. To get published and have good marketing, you really just need money to hire experts to make that happen. Writing takes heart and time and persistence.

What marketing works for you?
Word of mouth is the best

Do you find it hard to share your work?
Absolutely. It’s hardest to share my work with family because I never know if they really like it or if they are being supportive. I know that as I continue to write there will be books and messages that my family may not like, but at the end of the day, I don’t write for my family, I write for the people who need to hear my message.

Is your family supportive? Do your friends support you?
My family is very supportive, my mom is my biggest fan! My friends are amazing and definitely support me in more ways than I probably realize. I’m incredibly thankful for everyone around me.

Do you plan to publish more books?
Absolutely. I have another devotional book coming out in 2014 and I have a fiction and nonfiction book that are in the works.

What else do you do to make money, other than write? It is rare today for writers to be full time…
You can make money writing? I had no idea as I have yet to experience this. I serve as a Program Director full time at Preston Taylor Ministries which is an afterschool program targeted to low income children. Working full time definitely cuts into my writing time, but I make it work!

What other jobs have you had in your life?
I was a sales person at Build A Bear workshop and Victoria’s Secret in college. As a teenager, I volunteered at the library and worked as a hostess/waitress. During summers, I worked as a camp counselor and program director at Camp Walter Johnson and I have even leased apartments.

I also served with The Salvation Army a few years ago and through that I had the opportunity to lead a congregation. My work with The Salvation Army was hands down the most humbling job I’ve ever had.

You didn't learn these prayers in Sunday school. Put your armor on, and get ready to see God move!

Do you ever get sick of praying? It's okay to admit. We all do. It is emotionally draining to beg God without ceasing. Christians often forget that under Christ's authority, we have the power to command God's promises to be released from heaven to earth and into our lives.

In Praying for Men of P.O.W.E.R., author Nina Elaine Borum challenges readers to stand confidently and command the promises of God for the men in your life. As someone who has struggled with prayer, Nina believes that God does not intend for his children to feel helpless in praying. His Word has instructed us in how to bring the kingdom of heaven to a world where Satan runs freely. We are all in the midst of a vicious spiritual battle, and Nina hopes this book will help you to fight on behalf of Christian men.

Buy Now @ Amazon & Tate Publishing

Genre - Christian non-fiction

Rating – G

More details about the author

Connect with Nina Elaine Borum on Facebook & Twitter

Bobbie Ann Cole’s inspirational memoir charts her personal journey to faith and redemption. Broken by cancer and the failure of her marriage, she visits Israel, seeking direction and new meaning for her life. She has a profound spiritual experience in a Jerusalem church, where, as a Jew, she’s not supposed to be. Her experience there marks the start of a chain of supernatural events, through which God reveals His purposes to her. This transformational story of love, set on three continents, echoes that of biblical Ruth, who accepts faith in the Land of Israel and receives God’s blessing in the shape of a new husband of faith, a Canadian.

‘Filled with humor, warmth and love, She Does Not Fear the Snow is the promise of love after a battle with cancer and the sting of divorce. Bobbie Ann Cole has written an honest, touching memoir which permits the reader to accompany her through a time of healing, self-discovery and faith. Bobbie's transparency makes it hard to put down. A great read for those healing from their own journey. You will find encouragement here.’ Kim de Blecourt, Author of Until We All Come Home: A Harrowing Journey, a Mother's Courage, a Race to Freedom (FaithWords, November, 2012)

‘This book will inspire you to look for God's voice in everyday events of life. It will cause you to reflect on past experiences and see how God's hand led you in the right path. It's a beautiful story full of romance, forgiveness and coming to faith.’ Evangeline Inman, Author of The Divine Heartmender and Extreme Worship for Songwriters

‘Bobbie’s story greatly encourages us that life is not to be lived or viewed through the lens of chance. Open your heart as you read, and embrace the personal truth that God in His providence will direct our steps and bring us to our destiny.’ Pastor Wayne Flowers, Smythe Street Cathedral, Fredericton, NB, Canada

 Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre -  Faith Memoir

Rating – PG

More details about the author 

Connect with Bobbie Ann Cole on Facebook

Website www.shedoesnotfearthesnow.com