Along Came A Writer Network

Growing up in Houston, Texas in the 1970’s, historical romance author Annette O'Hare loved the stories about ghosts haunting the old Spaghetti Warehouse and the mysterious “blue light” cemetery. But it was "Devil's Island," the magical woods across from her childhood home where her imagination blossomed. She created fantastic scenarios to act out with her brother and the neighborhood kids where worlds were conquered and dragons were slain. 

Annette is still making up stories. She is the author of Northern Light and her new release, Redeeming Light. Her love for the history and heritage of her home state of Texas shines through in her writing and she's made it the backdrop for her book series.

Annette is a longtime member of American Christian Fiction Writers and a beloved member of our chapter. Today we'll be talking about her writing journey and navigating down the rabbit hole of research for writing historical novels.

Marji Laine Clubine and Fay Lamb discuss the parts of a novel. The "skeleton" that proves the foundation. Writers who plot and outline will love this discussion as we make sense of the novel structure. But authors who "write by the seat of their pants" can also benefit if they've ever strayed from the main point, written themselves into a hole, or found the pen or keyboard not moving! This skeleton can stir the thoughts, help you visualize your story once again and get back on the correct track.

Lena Nelson Dooley will interview Christian author Jessica White about her The Healing Seasons series and other things.

Marji Laine, multi-published author and Executive Director of Write Integrity Press, along with multi-published author and free-lance editor Fay Lamb discuss the bone structure of a novel. While this series is a natural for authors who plan out their stories ahead of time, the guide can also help pantsers who might find themselves stuck or diverted to a rabbit trail. 

This third episode in the series continues with what would be considered "Act II" of a novel and brings the sections of this part home with a comparison from popular movies. Following Marji's plan won't assure a Bestseller, but it will give your story a strong foundation on which to create.

My guest Merilyn Howton Marriott talks about her new book and her new show.

Merilyn Is an author, a speaker, and a counselor (M.S. LPC). Her first novel, The Children of Main Street, is at the publishing house of: Firefly Southern Fiction, and will be released next year. She won first place for unpublished manuscripts, in women's contemporary fiction at the Florida Christian Writers Christian Conference, 2017.

"When the lost find their voice, stories happen."

Ward Tanneberg will share about writing his wife's Memoir and about dealing with grief.

Marji and Fay will not only be explaining this importance of the second section of your novel, but they will also give examples from popular movies to help you see the nuances of this section and how it fits into the full progression of the plot.

They will discuss the Rubart Writing Academy.

Most stories have an ebb and flow to them - the pacing. They are set up ahead of time to maximize readability and satisfaction for the reader. Movies have the same type of rhythm. Marji and Fay will begin a series of discussions on the skeleton of a story - the sections that will help an author organize their writing to capitalize on the expectations of the readers.

This week, they will be discussing the opening of a story - how to do it right and why it's so important.

Lena Nelson Dooley and Sharlene McClaren will be discussing SUMMER ON SUNSET RIDGE and THEIR DARING HEARTS.