I've come a long way

I've been editing my manuscript for the novella due in September. We first submitted the proposal back in 2001. I can't believe how much better my writing is now than it was back then. As I edit I find I'm adding more sensory details, more emotional response and more depth to my characters.

Of course the very first novel I wrote back in 1954 when I was seventeen broke all the rules of good writing. At that time I simply wrote what I felt as a teenager writing about teenagers. Headhopping was the worst mistake I made along with tons of description. One thing I did notice was that I had plenty of conflict, a steady goal, and motivation to reach that goal.

In Not on the Menu, I have a 65 year old woman, Dottie Jean Weaver, who is content with her life as the owner of the best catfish restaurant in South Mississippi. When a wealthy, former classmate Fletcher Cameron comes along and takes her out of that environment into his, all her self-confidence and happiness is stomped on by former classmates who only remember her as the daughter of a drunk and a dressmaker for the wealthy. She returns to Calista and the friends she knows care about her and love her. Will Fletcher be able to win the heart of the woman he loved as a teenager back in high school? Only if Dottie is able to forget her childhood and concentrate on the future with a man who loves her.

Yes, I've come a long way from writing skits, paper doll stories, and teenage love stories.
It's been a long journey during which my self-confidence flew out the window several times as the rejection letters rolled in. It's also been an exciting journey to see where God would lead me. I've met so many exciting people along the way. These people have encouraged me, critiqued me, mentored me, given me opportunities, and have been my cheerleaders.

One of those was my journalism teacher in high school. She told me I had "a gift for words" and she hoped I would someday use it to entertain others. Well, it took over 50 years for that to happen. In the meantime I wrote Bible studies, devotions, and personal stories in hopes of pointing people to Jesus. Now I have a book I pray will accomplish the dreams of that journalism teacher, Mrs. Juniger, and a 16 year old who loved putting words together.

Sugar and Grits

SUGAR AND GRITS is a novella set in Calista, Mississippi. The heroines in each story are good friends. The two older women are 60+ widows who own their own businesses inherited from their late husbands. Dottie Jean, (my character) owns The Catfish House Restaurant, and Sassy, (Janice's character) owns a bait shop and loves to fish. They mentor the two younger women Bertie (DiAnn's girl) who owns a dirt moving company, and Sue Ellen (Kathleen's girl) who owns the beauty salon. Have some fun in the small town where everyone knows everyone else and their business. The ladies don't gossip; they're just concerned for the welfare of others. The heroes are a wealthy business man from Jackson, the town mailmain, an IRS agent, and the local sheriff.

Their paths to romance are filled with various obstacles that the ladies work together to unravel and resolve.

This and That

I've been reading some great books lately. Brandilyn Collins takes the reader on a wild ride down many roads before finding the right path to the killer in Web of Lies. After many twists and turns, the story climaxes in a frantic rush to save an innocent person. When Annie Kingston and Chelsea Adams meet, you know things will happen, and not always good. I've read everyone of Brandilyn's books and eagerly anticipate the arrival of each one. I love scary stories, but make sure I don't read them if I'm alone in the house. If you haven't already read it, make haste to do so. You won't be sorry. Uh, just pretend the spiders arent there.

Another book I thoroughly enjoyed was Paper Moon. Linda Windsor has such a penchant for humor that you find yourself laughing out loud at the antics of Mrs. C, Annie, Karen, and Blaine. As a retired teacher, I can so relate to the situations Linda conceives for her characters. I chaperoned many a senior trip, and this delightful tale brought back wonderful memories of those excursions. This is a great read to take your mind off what ails you.

Martha's Musings for Saturday

Hello, Everyone. It's a beautiful day here in Texas. I'm really excited because after years of waiting, I finally am going to be published in a novella with my three friends. The novella is set in Mississippi where my heroine owns the Catfish House. The town of Calista near a river about 30 miles from the Gulf Coast. She is a 65 year old widow who reunites with an old friend from high school and romance blossoms. It'll be out in Spring of 2007. Hope you have a chance to meet Dottie Jean and her friends as they fall in love and make great changes in their lives.

My writing journey began in the 1940's when I wrote skits for my cousins to perform for the family and also wrote stories for my paper dolls. Some you younger friends may not be as familiar with those since Barbie came into the picture. I wrote my first novel at the age of 17 as a Freshman at Baylor University. My dream then was to become a writer. I wanted to be like Jo March of Little Women when I grew up. Well, it's taken 53 years for me to "grow up" and have my first novel published. But the wait was worth it. God had the plan all along, I just had to keep working until the plan was complete and ready to go. I know He has a purpose for my life, and I'm along for the ride to wherever He takes me.

Have a great day and I'll see you on down the road, but I'd love to hear from you before then.

I'm busy working on a cozy mystery set in a retirement center in northeast Arkansas. It's great fun. My crit partners, Janice, Kathleen, and Marian are giving great advice.

MarthasBooks

Exciting week as I received my first contract. Thanks to all my ACFW friends who believed in me, encouraged me, and prayed for me. A special thanks to my crit partners Janice Thompson and Kathleen Y'Barbo and to my friend and mentor, DiAnn Mills for including me in the anthology, Sugar and Grits. Watch for it in the spring of 2007.