CHARLOTTECARTER.COM

From Secular to Inspirational

2012-02-06T20:39:30Z

Emily Rodmell, my Love Inspired editor, graciously agreed to write a blog for authors who want to transition from secular to inspirational writing. Many thanks, Emily.

Emily Rodmell

Inspirational fiction is a growing market. I work as an editor for Harlequin’s inspirational lines: Love Inspired (contemporary romance), Love Inspired Suspense (contemporary romantic suspense) and Love Inspired Historical (historical romance). We’re actively seeking new authors. And because of that, I sometimes get questions from authors writing for the secular market who would like to transition to inspirational writing. It’s not as hard as you might think, so here are some quick tips to help you make the leap.

Read as much of the genre as you can. Writing an inspirational novel isn't as simple as adding a couple of prayers to the story. Characters need to come across as real and relatable. Immersing yourself in the genre will give you a feel for the things that work and those that don't (i.e. sex, cursing, drinking and the like). You'll be better able to make your characters feel like real people with real conflicts and emotions.

Don't feel you have to preach. Inspirational novels shouldn't be a sermon. They can simply be characters living Christian lives. Not every Christian walks down the street spouting Bible verses. Your chracters don't need to either. But they do need to live lives that reflect the values that Christian men and women espouse

Avoid common pitfalls that face authors switiching from secular to inspirational. Language is a big one. There's a certain tone to inspirational. Learn what works and what doesn't (almost curses or borderline words aren't any better that real curses. Just avoid altogether). Plot is another. If your book reads like a sanitized version of a secular romance plt, it may not work for the genre. Clean doesn't necessarily men Christian, nor does it automatically mean it's a good inspirational book. I want to see unique plots with interesting characters and intriiguing twists and turns, not something that's been done many times over.

Do it for the right reason. If you aren't passionate about writing inspirational and are only doing it because you want to sell books, that is bound to show in your writing. If the idea of inspirational bores you, you'll probably bore your readers. The writers that are the best at inspirational truly loove to write it and come up with new and exciting plots. They don't feel constrained by guidelines because it's how they live their lives. Writers that are lukewarm about it ten to write cardboard characters and uninspired plots. It's better to follow your passion.

Charlotte again......I've made any number of mistakes in my foray into the inspirational market. Bless her, Emily has been very kind and patient with me. And there will be more Love Inspired books by Charlotte Carter in the future.

Books that leave you smiling.....
Montana Family, Love Inspired, available now
Montana Love Letter, Love Inspired, 10/2012

Speaking Dates

2012-02-03T22:23:58Z

I'm tickled as can be that I'll be doing a workshop at the Romance Writers of America national conference in Anaheim this July. The topic is Make 'em Cry, Make 'em Scream, Make 'em Laugh. Deb Mulman, author of 9 historical and regency romances, will join me and handle all the hard part; I'll be the comic relief. <g>

I have a couple of other speaking dates lined up.

February 19th I'll be part of a panel of authors at the Los Angeles Romance Authors (LARA). There I'll be talking about the Inspirational romance market.

Looking way ahead, I'll be at the Yosemite Romance Writers, which meets in Fresno, on November 19th. The topic is yet to be decided, but I expect to have fun with that group. And as it happens, Fresno is on the way to my daughter's home in Sonora. So that speaking date will do double duty and include a visit to see my daughter and her family.

If you're in the area and can make any of these meetings, I'd love to see you.

Happy reading.......
Char......

Books that leave you smiling.....
Montana Family, Love Inspired, 10/2011
Montana Love Letter, Love Inspire, 10/2012
Secrets of Mary's Bookshop, Guideposts Books, 2012

Valentine's Day? Already?

2012-01-24T19:48:32Z

I don’t know about you, but I’m still vacuuming up tinsel and pine needles.

In stores, Christmas decorations were shoved out one door and Valentine’s hearts were brought in the other, leaving only a brief window to celebrate New Year’s Day. Time is simply flying by too fast.

Still, I am a romance writer. Valentine’s Day represents the forever kind of love. So I hark back to yesteryear (Chuck and I have been married a long time!) when my husband and I were dating. He brought me flowers and took me out to a nice dinner. Perfect and romantic.

By the time our second Valentine’s Day rolled around, we were married and living in Anchorage, Alaska. (I knew I’d found a good one and did not hesitated to say ‘I do.’) On Valentine’s Day I gave him a card; he gave me . . . nothing!

Say what? Sheepishly, he admitted he thought Valentine’s Day was for couples who were dating. I quietly (but firmly) disabused him of that notion. Romance does not stop when you get married.

Fortunately, Chuck is a quick learner; he hasn’t missed a Valentine’s Day since. (And I’ve learned how to drop hints and reminders that are as subtle as a giant asteroid landing in our front yard.)

So I’m expecting a romantic card and flowers this Valentine’s Day. Rather than going out to dinner, which we do regularly anyway, I’ll cook a nice dinner at home and we’ll leave the crush of couples waiting in restaurants for tables to the dating crowd.

What’s your favorite memory of Valentine’s Day? How do you celebrate now ?

Books that leave you smiling - by Charlotte Carter
Big Sky Family, Love Inspired, available now
Montana Love Letter, Love Inspired, 10/2012
Secrets of Mary’s Bookshop, Guideposts Books, 2012

Resolutions for Writers

2011-12-28T19:44:21Z

Here we are looking 2012 right smack in the face. If you’re like millions of other people, you’re making resolutions about losing weight and exercising more. Chances are good that 90% of those resolutions will be broken or forgotten by the end of January.

If you are a writer, published or unpublished, you’re hoping this New Year will bring Fame and Fortune. Or more realistically, you’re hoping for a contract that will help to build your career.

I have some suggestions for your New Year’s Resolutions:

1. Make writing a priority. It’s way too easy to get off track if you don’t stick to your guns. Family and friends make demands on you. A good movie opens at the local theater, you promise yourself that you’ll get back to your writing schedule tomorrow. Don’t count on it!

2. Spend time with other writers. No one understands a writer’s fears, failures and successes like another writer. Not even your mother.

3. Don’t let the business get you down. Nora Roberts says, and I believe her, that it was hard to get published when she started writing. Getting published in the traditional way is still hard. Get used to it.

4. Develop a presence on the Internet. Editors do check authors’ blogs and websites. But remember Resolution #1 - don’t spend all of your writing time fussing with your Internet exposure and forget about your goal of being published.

5. Improve your craft. Attend workshops and conferences, take classes online, find a critique group that will encourage you and help you to grow. This is part of making your writing a priority.

6. Keep yourself mentally and physically healthy. Yep, you do have to exercise, spend time with friends and family, and find ways to fill your creative well.

7. Read. A lot. Both in and out of the genre you’re writing. I guarantee that won’t be a burden.

So happy writing in 2012. Here’s to making all your dreams come true.

Char.........

Books that leave you smiling......
Montana Family, Love Inspired, available now (in print and e-book)
Montana Love Letter, Love Inspire, 10/2012
Secrets of Mary's Bookshop, Guideposts Books, 2012

My Favorite Christmas

2011-12-18T18:26:29Z

I suppose everyone has a favorite Christmas. The year they got the bike they had so wanted. Or maybe a Chatty Cathy doll when those were popular.

My favorite Christmas was the year my daughter Carolyn was born.

My husband and I moved to Anchorage, Alaska when we were first married. He was a civilian engineer assigned to help the Air Force keep their missiles operating. For me, a native Californian who had rarely seen snow much less lived in a snowy climate, it was all quite exciting. And truly beautiful.

I was pregnant as our second Christmas approached. (Which, by the way, gave me an excuse not to tramp through the woods in a foot of snow to cut down our own tree and freeze my feet in the process as I had the previous Christmas.)

As I walked through town doing my Christmas shopping, I admired the decorations draped from lamp poles and the store windows painted with holiday themes. Like most first-time moms-to-be, I wanted to shout to everyone that I would soon have a baby! And thank them for decorating the whole town in honor of her upcoming arrival.

On the evening of December 23^rd, my water broke. Off to the hospital we go, which was no easy trick. We’d had a Chinook, a warm spell that melted the snow during the day and turned it to ice at night. Newly-built Providence hospital was at the end of a long, dirt road, not uncommon in Anchorage at the time, and was crowned over with ice. Driving no more than 5-miles an hour, my husband managed to keep us on the road instead of in the ditch. I was so grateful we, and the baby, were in no hurry.

Baby Carolyn definitely wasn’t in a hurry. She didn’t make her grand entrance until the afternoon of December 24^th. It is not possible to describe the surge of love I felt the moment I saw her. Wow! I was a mother. A scary and wonderful feeling.

And the best Christmas present ever!

What was your favorite Christmas present?

Wishing you a lovely Christmas and holiday season.

Books that leave you smiling by Charlotte Carter
Big Sky Family, Love Inspired, available now.
Montana Love Letter, Love Inspired, 10/2012
Secrets of Mary’s Bookshop, Guideposts Books, 2012

A Tale of Two Names

2011-12-06T22:21:36Z

Many authors have used several pseudonyms over their writing careers. For 15+ years I wrote for Harlequin as Charlotte Maclay. When I changed to writing Inspirational romances and cozy mysteries, I switched my name to Charlotte Carter. I didn’t want to confuse my readers between my warm, family secular books and my warm, family inspirational stories.

As a pseudonym, I thought Charlotte Maclay was dead. Poor dear! I closed her website and started this Charlotte Carter blog (with the thought of someday finding the time to do a website again).

But wait!

Charlotte Maclay has been reborn! Harlequin has converted 14 of her/my books to e-books and will no doubt be doing more in the future. But how can Charlotte Carter let readers know those fun books Charlotte Maclay wrote for Harlequin American, Love & Laughter and Silhouette Romance are available?

Guess what? I wrote this blog to let you know.

Happy reading......

Books that leave you smiling.....

By Charlotte Carter and Charlotte Maclay

My Favorite Meal

2011-11-21T19:24:43Z

We’re at that time of year again: Thanksgiving tables loaded with turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce and all manner of family favorites. A neighbor from Canada loves mashed turnips. My family enjoyed a special treat of pickled watermelon rind and spiced peaches (both of which are really hard to find these days).

I remember my brother as a teenager and my father seeing how many helpings of turkey and yams (not sweet potatoes; Mother was from Texas) they could consume at one sitting. Not exactly PC in this day and age when we’re supposed to count our calories and watch our cholesterol.

But Thanksgiving dinner is not my favorite meal. That comes the day AFTER Thanksgiving.

After all that cooking and baking, lumpy gravy (boy, do I miss Mother!), making pies and muffins, getting out the good silver, extending the dining table to full length on Thanksgiving Day, I’m ready to collapse.

I’m ready for leftovers.

My favorite meal is a slice or two of turkey on a plate, add stuffing and gravy, maybe some yams, and slide it into the microwave. Heaven!

What’s your favorite meal?

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving....and the day AFTER.

Happy reading....

Books that leave you smiling........

Big Sky Family, Love Inspired, available now
Montana Love Letter, Love Inspired, 2011
Secrets of Mary's Bookshop, Guideposts Books, 2012

Revision Letter - Part 2

2011-11-11T23:44:40Z

I haven’t posted a blog in a while because I’ve been heavy, heavy into revisions for my current cozy mystery for Guideposts Books. It’s not that I’m a bad writer; at least the editor doesn’t think so, or so she says. But this is the third book in a new continuity, Secrets of Mary’s Bookshop. There are 6 authors and hundreds of details to be set up in these first three books. Details that will eventually affect a dozen or more books. Thus a seven-page revision letter arrived by e-mail. Ack!

Fortunately, some years ago a wise editor said, "When an author receives a revision letter, she goes through the seven stages of grief."

Here’s what an author may experience:

1. Shock and Denial

I couldn’t possibly have written a book so bad that it needs that many changes. It’s a good story. The editor must be having a bad day.

2. Pain and Guilt

Sob! I shouldn’t have made the villain so villainous. The hero is simply too perfect. I should have given him raven-black hair instead of blond.

3. Anger and Bargaining

That editor is crazy! I’m going to talk to her. Surely she’ll let me keep the merry-go-round scene if I cut the one in the mountain cabin. I know what the story is about; she doesn’t.

4. Depression, Reflection and Loneliness

I’m never going to make it as a writer. I might as well give up right now. My career’s over. How can I tell my writer friends that I’m a failure? My mother was so excited I’d sold a book. Now what will she think?

5. The Upward Turn

I’m going to grit my teeth and get through this mess. Her first comment only means I have to change one word. That’s not too hard. Maybe I can do this.

6. Reconstruction and Working Through

Maybe the story will be okay without the merry-go-round scene. The hero and heroine can have the same fun time at the beach. And then when they go to the mountains . . .

7. Acceptance and Hope

Some of the suggestions the editor made really do make the story better. I think I’ve carried them through pretty well. And if she likes what I’ve done, maybe she’ll buy another book from me.

----------

Fortunately, I’ve reached stage 7 in this huge rewrite. I’m not done yet, but I can see the end. I ‘get’ what she wanted better now. I may survive this ordeal after all.

If only I could remember ‘next’ time when I get a revision letter that it’s normal to go through those anxiety-producing 7 stages. I’ll be okay in the end, so will the book and maybe even my career.

What has your experience been with revision letters?

Happy writing......and rewriting.

Books that leave you smiling.....
Big Sky Reunion, Love Inspired available now
Montana Love Letter, Love Inspired, 10/2012
Secrets of Mary's Bookshop, Guideposts Books, 2012.

Theo Jansen's Strandbeasts

2011-10-27T21:21:10Z

Here's something I couldn't resist sharing with you. From Holland -

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=HSKyHmjyrkA&feature=email

Marvelous machines! Enjoy!

Books that leave you smiling.....
by Charlotte Carter
Big Sky Family, Love Inspired, available now
Montana Love Letter, Love Inspired, 10/2012
Secrets of Mary's Bookshop, Guideposts Books, 2012

Big Sky Family - excerpt

2011-10-19T20:39:43Z

To give you a flavor of Big Sky Family, my Love Inspired book which is available now in both print and ebook format, I’ve excerpted a scene that takes place at Potter Creek Community Church in Potter Creek, MT. Eight years ago Ellie James and Arnie O’Brien were a couple, but Ellie left town. Now she’s back with her 5-year old daughter Torie. Arnie and Ellie both have issues of trust they will have to overcome if they are to find their Happily Ever After.

After the church service ended, Ellie ducked out the side door while her mother waited to speak to the minister. She hurried to retrieve Torie from her classroom and returned to find Arnie back at his table raking in more pledges for the Paralympics program from his friends.

"Look, Mommy, Arnie’s here!" Breaking away from Ellie, Torie bee-lined it across the patio to Arnie’s table. Instead of stopping in front of the table, she squeezed in behind it next to Arnie.

Sheila, Arnie’s service dog, stood, backing away from her spot next to Arnie to avoid being stepped on by Torie. Arnie leaned back in his chair, equally startled by child’s sudden arrival. "Hey, squirt. What’s up?"

"I want to ask you an im-por-tant question."

He glanced toward Ellie, his lips twitching with the threat of a smile. "Sure, ask away."

Torie’s face scrunched into its most serious expression. "If my mommy bought me a horse of my very, very own, would you come take care of it for me?"

Ellie choked. "Victoria James! You’re not supposed to—"

"I don’t know, squirt," Arnie said with equal seriousness. "That would be a big job to take care of a horse."

"I know, and I’m too little. I get a dollar a week allowance. I could pay you that much."

By now those standing around Arnie’s table were fully engaged in the conversation, to Ellie’s mortification.

"High time you earned an honest dollar, Arnie," a man said.

"Isn’t she cute," a woman said. "I bet when she’s a teenager, her father will have to guard the door and lock the windows to keep the boys out."

Ellie had heard enough. "Come on, Torie. We have to find Grandma."

"But Arnie hasn’t said he’ll take care of my horse yet."

"You don’t have a horse, so why don’t we worry about who’s going to take care of it, if and when you have one?" With an apologetic smile, she handed her pledge form and check to Arnie.

He glanced at the form and the check, then looked up at Ellie. "Preschool teachers must earn more than I realized."

"No such luck, but a guilty conscience can make a person feel generous."

"No need for you to feel guilty."

That was nice of him to say, but she knew it was a lie.

He held up the check. "Don’t you want to hold off on this in case I don’t actually finish the wheelchair race."

"You’ll finish. I don’t doubt that for a moment." She took Torie’s hand. "Tell Arnie good-bye, honey. Grandma’s waiting for us."

With her daughter in tow, Ellie hurried toward the parking lot. Having such an outgoing child had its disadvantages.

So did having a guilty conscience.

Happy reading.....
Char......

Books that leave you smiling.......
Big Sky Family, Love Inspired, available now
Written with Love, working title, 10/2012
Secrets of Mary's Bookshop, Guideposts Books, 2012

Interview with a heroine

2011-10-13T10:02:00Z

Sometimes characters get really uppity. I interviewed Arnie O’Brien, hero of Big Sky Family, and now Ellie James, the heroine, absolutely insists she be given a chance to tell her side of the story.

Char . . . Okay, Ellie, tell us what is really going on with you and Arnie?
Ellie: I was nineteen when I left Montana and moved to Spokane to go to college. Arnie had been so badly hurt that I spent day and night in his hospital room waiting and praying for him to wake up. But when he did, he told be to go away. I couldn’t believe it. I was frightened and confused, and badly hurt.

Char . . . Yes, I can understand how that would be upsetting. But he apparently thinks he woke up one day and you were simply gone.
Ellie: (long, silent pause) That’s not what I remember. The fact is, I was devastated. I admit, while I was living in Spokane I made some mistakes. One of them was a doozie. But I’m back home now. Torie and I are living with my mother, and I have a new job that I love. We’re here to stay.

Char . . . How do you feel about Arnie now?
Ellie: Despite how hard I tried, I don’t think I ever stopped loving him and regretting I moved away.

Char . . . Have you talked to Arnie about how you feel?
Ellie: So far he hasn’t been real good about listening.

Char . . . Yes, well, he did mention something about guys not talking about their feelings.
Ellie: Tell me about it!! He’s really good about giving a girl the silent treatment. Except with Torie. That child of mine started wrapping him around her little finger the first moment she met him.

Char . . . That sounds promising. Maybe Torie will be the catalyst that brings you and Arnie together again.
Ellie: That may be possible. But in the end, us getting together is going to depend on how Arnie and I feel about each other. We both have to learn to forgive and trust again.

Char . . . Ah, that old bugaboo about trust. Something tells me the two of you will work things out — eventually.

Dear Reader, If you would like to discover how Arnie and Ellie get together to create a Big Sky Family, pick up a copy of the book, available in both print and ebook format August 19^th.

Happy reading . . .

Char.......

Books that leave you smiling.....
Big Sky Family, Love Inspired, 10/19/2011
Written with Love, working title, 10/2012

Interview with a hero

2011-10-11T20:59:17Z

Sometimes the characters in my books get antsy right before the release date. They worry about the readers liking and understanding them. Arnie O’Brien, hero of Big Sky Family, which will be available October 19th, has been nattering in my ear for more than a week now.

Char . . . Okay, Arnie, what is it you want to tell readers?
Arnie: I was really upset when Ellie James left Potter Creek, Montana eight years ago and went off to Spokane.

Char . . . Did you tell Ellie you didn’t want her to leave?
Arnie: Well, no. I was pretty much out of it when she took off. I’d been in a really bad accident. (My brother was driving his pickup too fast and ran us into a boulder.) I was in and out of a coma for days. I did know she was there . . . and then she wasn’t. I felt betrayed.

Char . . . Now she’s back in Potter Creek. How do you feel about her now?
Arnie: I’m still upset she walked out on me when I needed her the most.

Char . . . Have you talked to her about your feelings?
Arnie: (Arms crossed) Guys don’t talk about feelings.

Char . . . (eye roll) Then how is she supposed to know what you’re thinking?
Arnie: She’ll figure it out.

Char . . . (double eye roll) What if she said she was sorry she left? Would that help?
Arnie: Yeah, I guess. But how could I trust she’d never leave me again?

Char . . . Does that mean you would like her to stick around, maybe the two of you get back together?
Arnie: Yeah, maybe. I mean, she’s a beautiful woman — red hair and freckles across her nose. Really smart, too. And now she’s got a five-year-old kid named Torie. She’s some little crackerjack. Asked me if she had a horse would I take care of it for her ‘cuz she’s too little. Offered to pay me a dollar a week. That’s her whole allowance.

Char . . . Sounds like you really like Torie. I suspect you’re still in love with Ellie, too.
Arnie: What if I am? How can I forget what she did?

Char . . . Trust me, Arnie. You’ll fine a way.

Dear Readers, if you’d like to find out how Arnie and Ellie manage to overcome the hurts of the past, pick up a copy of Big Sky Family at your bookseller or online either in print or ebook format, available August 19^th.

Happy reading....

Char.........

Books that leave you smiling
Big Sky Family, Love Inspired, 10/19/2011
Written with Love, working title, Love Inspired, 10/2012

What's Wrong with this Cover?

2011-10-06T21:16:06Z

The creation of a book cover is a collaboration of the author (most of whom claim their suggestions are ignored), the editor, art department and marketing. Sometimes things go wrong.

One of the most infamous cover calamities happened to Christina Dodd, author of Castle in the Air, an historical romance. The hero on the cover is standing behind the heroine, holding her with, um, all THREE of his arms. Amazing fellow!

Jill Marie Landis, who writes western historicals circa 1880 and mysteries in Hawaii, got an early peek at one of her covers. It featured a cabin in the woods with a TV antenna. Oophs! The publisher had to reprint ALL of the covers. Boy, was that an expensive mistake.

I think my cover for Big Sky Family is both appealing and charming; the colors are positively lovely. It’s hard to beat a cowboy hero (Arnie), the heroine’s young daughter (Torie) and a golden retriever (Sheila) for getting reader attention. But there’s just one small problem.

Arnie, our hero, is sitting on the porch steps. He’s a paraplegic. In every scene in the book he is sitting in a wheelchair (with the small exception of rounding up cattle on a specially equipped ATV).

I’m guessing, and I really don’t know, that marketing has ‘discovered’ that heroes portrayed in wheelchairs don’t sell. Okay, I really want to sell lots of copies of Big Sky Family.

But what will readers think when they get to page 10 and find Arnie in his wheelchair? Will they blame me for the misleading cover and write nasty notes? Ouch!

And what about readers who read Big Sky Reunion, a previous book which featured Arnie’s brother Daniel? Won’t they remember that Arnie was a paraplegic in that book? When they see the cover will they think he’s been cured? And write nasty notes? Oh dear . . .

So do you think marketing is right? Would you be more or less likely to buy a book with the hero on the cover in a wheelchair?

Let me know.

Happy reading.......

Char.....

Books that leave you smiling
Big Sky Family, Love Inspired, available 10/19/2011
Written With Love, working title, Love Inspired, 10/2012
www.CharlotteCarter.com

Friendships

2011-10-02T18:48:43Z

Last week I got together for lunch with four of my friends from high school. (I won’t trouble you with the year we graduated.)

Two of the women are recently widowed, which reminded me to count my blessings that I still have a hubby around who (occasionally) works on my honey-do list. One has been divorced for many years, and the other has been married about as long as I have.

We’re all getting older, with the assorted aches and pains that go with that, but none of us are OLD!

Ann is still a major force in a very successful Author’s Day at Whittier College, which is what brought us back in contact. She’s also an incredible hobbiest with a huge collection of miniature houses. And by the way, her garden was featured last year on the Rio Hondo Garden Tour sponsored by the Symphony Guild.

Sheila must be getting younger. For years she volunteered at Descanso Gardens in LaCanada/Flintridge. Now she teaches water aerobics three times a week!

Not to be outdone, Kay worked in Children’s Services until recently when a car accident limited her mobility. She remains super active in her church and in her local chapter of the American Association of University Women. In her spare time, she knits tons of mittens and caps for needy children on Navajo reservations and in Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, if you could see Marilee’s huge yard and garden, and visit with her rescue dogs, you’d know she is one busy lady.

As for me, I gave up my ‘professional volunteer’ role some years ago so I could write and write and write....

But none of us can compare to my 90-year-old friend from Curves, Lawanna. She just returned from a trip to Washington D.C. to a social schedule that would put the White House to shame.

Yep, we’re getting older. But we’re not OLD yet.

What long-time friendships do you cherish?

Happy reading....

Books that leave you smiling...
Big Sky Family, Love Inspired, 10/19/2011
Written with Love, working title, Love Inspired, 10/2012
Secrets of Mary's Bookshop, Guideposts Books, 2012

Romantic Times (RT) Review

2011-09-22T23:25:56Z

All authors look forward to reviews with mixed feelings, hoping they'll be positive reviews that will encourage readers to buy their book.

For Big Sky Family from Love Inspired (available October 18th) Romantic Times Magazine had some very nice things to say.

BIG SKY FAMILY (4) by Charlotte Carter: Ellie James is a preschool teacher at Ability Counts, a program that mainstreams students with disabilities with their non-disabled peers. She is surprised to run in to her ex-boyfriend, Arnie O'Brien, while taking her students to ride horses. After an accident left Arnie in a wheelchair, they broke up, as he thought he would be a burden to Ellie. Now that Ellie is back in town, will it be possible to rekindle their relationship? The reader can feel the characters' anguish. The importance of seeking God's guidance and the value of focusing on abilities, not disabilities, is evident. /Reviewed By: Leslie McKee/

Thanks, Leslie. I appreciate your kind words.

Books that leave you smiling
Big Sky Family, Love Inspired, Oct. 18, 2011
Written with Love (working title) October 2012
Secrets of Mary's Bookshop, Guideposts Books, coming in 2012

What's Funny?

2011-09-19T17:49:19Z

I’ve volunteered (gulp) to teach an online class about writing humor – Make ‘em Laugh – for Orange County Chapter of Romance Writers of America. (www.occrwa.com Class starts August 13^th.)

I’ve done many workshops on writing humor, and I perform standup comedy. But now I’m going to have to come up with eight lectures. That’s a lot of funny!

Since humor is so often hard to write, I’ve been thinking about how and when I use humor in my books. One of my secrets is to put children in my stories. Kids can’t help but lighten even a tense scene. As Art Linkletter used to say, "Kids say the darnest things."

In my upcoming book, Big Sky Family, Arnie, the hero, is a Montana rancher who is paraplegic and confined to a wheelchair. The heroine, Ellie, left town eight years ago (the reasons are complicated). Now she’s back in Potter Creek with her almost five-year-old daughter, Torie.

This scene takes place outside of church where Arnie is taking pledges to support Paralympics programs. Arnie and Ellie, who used to be a couple, have been doing everything they can to keep their distance from each other. Torie has a different idea.

     Arnie leaned back in his chair, startled by child’s sudden arrival. "Hey, squirt. What’s up?"
     "I want to ask you an im-por-tant question."
     He glanced toward Ellie, his lips twitching with the threat of a smile. "Sure, ask away."
     Torie’s face scrunched into its most serious expression. "If my mommy bought me a horse of my very, very own, would you come take care of it for me?"
     Ellie choked. "Victoria James! You’re not supposed to—"
     "I don’t know, squirt," Arnie said with equal seriousness. "That would be a big job to take care of a horse."
     "I know, and I’m too little. I get a dollar a week allowance. I could pay you that much."
     By now those standing around Arnie’s table were fully engaged in the conversation, to Ellie’s mortification.
     "High time you earned an honest dollar, Arnie," a man said.
    "Isn’t she cute," a woman said. "I bet when she’s a teenager, her father will have to guard the door and lock the windows to keep the boys out."
     Her face hot with embarrassment, Ellie had heard enough. "Come on, Torie. We have to find Grandma."
     "But Arnie hasn’t said he’ll take care of my horse yet."
     "You don’t have a horse, so why don’t we worry about who’s going to take care of it, if and when you have one." With an apologetic smile, she handed her pledge form and check to Arnie, and fled.

While this scene is not hysterically funny, it surely brings a smile to a reader and gives her a warm, heartfelt moment.

Who’s your favorite author who makes you smile with her humor? I’d loved to know so I can her include authors and their books as examples in my August class.

Happy reading.....

Books that leave you smiling
by Charlotte Carter
Big Sky Family, Love Inspired, 10/19/11

Creating a Hero

2011-09-12T18:22:23Z

You would think creating a hero was an easy thing to do. You conjure a handsome, hunky guy from your imagination, a man every woman is sure to love. You put him down on paper (or rather, on the computer screen), find his unique traits and away you go. That’s pretty much what I did for Daniel O’Brien in my April 2011 release Big Sky Reunion.

Gazing down at her was the original bad boy of Potter Creek, Montana. His dark eyes held the same teasing glint she remembered from ten years ago. His easy slouch and the cocky way his Stetson sat tipped back on his head suggested he hadn’t changed one whit since she last saw him.

But wait! Every cocky cowboy needs a foil, right? Somebody who can keep that cowboy’s massive ego in check. A guy who deserves to be a hero with his own story. Who better than the cowboy’s own brother, Arnie?

Although they both had inherited their mother’s olive complexion and the telltale cheek bones of the Blackfoot Indians, Arnie’s upper body was more muscular than Daniel’s. His legs, though, had withered considerably since the accident that had paralyzed him eight years ago.

Say what? Arnie’s legs are paralyzed? But he’s the hero of Big Sky Family, my October release. Say it isn’t so!

Arnie drove the ATV to the back porch of the house. Sheila, his service dog, agilely jumped down and waited while Arnie unloaded the wheelchair from the back of the All Terrain Vehicle. Using a trapeze device Daniel had jerry-rigged for him, Arnie lifted himself out of the ATV and into the chair.

Well, he does get around pretty well on his own. But what’s the heroine going to think about a man who is a paraplegic? A man Ellie James had once loved. A man who had told her to go away.

Mouth open in stunned disbelief, Ellie watched in amazement as Arnie O’Brien approached. Each stroke of his hands on the wheels of his chair propelled him forward. The muscles of his darkly tanned forearms flexed and corded. His shoulders were broader than she remembered. Beneath his ebony Stetson, the tips of his silky black hair fluttered in the breeze he created by his sheer strength and power.

Hmm, she doesn’t seem too upset, does she? I mean, she’s seeing him as a hunky cowboy in a wheelchair. This may work yet. Particularly since Ellie’s five-year-old daughter Torie really likes Arnie.

     Sheila stood, backing away from her spot next to Arnie to avoid being stepped on by Torie. Arnie leaned back in his chair, equally startled by child’s sudden arrival. "Hey, squirt. What’s up?"
     "I want to ask you an im-por-tant question."
     He glanced toward Ellie, his lips twitching with the threat of a smile. "Sure, ask away."
     Torie’s face scrunched into its most serious expression. "If my mommy bought me a horse of my very, very own, would you come take care of it for me?"
     Ellie choked. "Victoria James! You’re not supposed to—"
     "I don’t know, squirt," Arnie said with equal seriousness. "That would be a big job to take care of a horse.
     "I know, and I’m too little. I get a dollar a week allowance. I could pay you that much."
     By now those standing around Arnie’s table were fully engaged in the conversation, to Ellie’s mortification.
    "High time you earned an honest dollar, Arnie," a man said.
     "Isn’t she cute?" a woman said.
     Ellie had heard enough. "Come on, Torie. We have to find Grandma."
     "But Arnie hasn’t said he’ll take care of my horse yet."
     "You don’t have a horse, so why don’t we worry about who’s going to take care of it, if and when you have one?" With an apologetic smile, she hurried away.

Yep, I think Arnie’s going to make a great hero. Watch for him in Big Sky Family, available October 19^th. And if you missed reading about little brother Daniel, Big Sky Reunion is still available at online bookstores in paperback and e-book.

Happy reading.......

Books that leave you smiling -
by Charlotte Carter

Concert in the Park

2011-09-01T22:22:30Z

Last Sunday, while much of the east coast was being pummeled by hurricane Irene, my husband, a friend and I were enjoying a concert in the park performed by the Torrance Symphony Orchestra. Lots of show tunes, a couple of operatic arias by a wonderful tenor and soprano, and a classical violin piece performed by a young lady who is about 16-years-old. (Makes me feel like I wasted my youth!)

If I can make you envious for a moment – picture a clear blue sky, 74-degrees with a light breeze blowing. Music lovers seated in folding chairs on a hillside, some enjoying picnic lunches, toddlers making mad dashes only to be snared up into a parent’s arms before they could get into trouble, and dogs and puppies straining at their leashes.

In the shallow pond in front of the bandstand ducks are swimming in the water or napping on the concrete shore. The alpha seagull defends the ‘best’ perch against all comers.

Overhead, palm trees sway and eucalyptus leaves shimmer silver and green in the breeze. When the audience applauds, a flock of pigeons take flight, soaring over the trees.

What a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon — and to celebrate my birthday!

What do you like to do to celebrate your birthday?

Books that leave you smiling -
Big Sky Family, Love Inspired, 10/19/2011
New Beginnings, Guideposts Books, 9/2011

New Beginnings

2011-08-23T17:36:25Z

This week I received my author copies of New Beginnings, my latest release from Guideposts Books.

Forget this is somewhere around my 50^th book, there is something validating about actually holding a book you’ve written in your hands for the first time. (It’s also pretty exciting when you see your book on a bookshelf at a bookstore, although Guideposts Books are only available through subscription.)

This is the final book in the Hope Haven Hospital series, a series that turned out to be quite complicated from the perspective of the six authors involved. We had to deal with four major characters - all nurses - all of whom have spouses, children, in-laws, bosses and personal cars they bought and sold, not to mention one character who bought a new house and another who got pregnant. Whew!

Unlike most continuity series, the stars of Hope Haven Hospital age a little in each of the 16 books. The children have birthday parties and get promoted to the next grade. Illnesses come and go. Whew!

Through it all, I hope readers enjoyed the stories of Hope Haven Hospital.

I’m currently working on another series for Guideposts Books, Secrets of Mary’s Bookshop, cozy mysteries set in Cape Cod. The good news is that Mary and her cohorts will stay the same age, live in the same house and drive the same cars throughout. Whew!

Happy reading!

Books that leave you smiling
New Beginnings, Guideposts Books, 9/2011
Big Sky Family, Love Inspired, 10/19/2011
www.CharlotteCarter.com

Nectarines! Again!

2011-08-12T18:29:43Z

The harvest from our dwarf nectarine tree is in at last. The fruit of this hardworking tree was particularly popular with local red squirrels, skunks, raccoons (which also tried to nest in our attic) and birds. Unfortunately, our urban wild life tended to take a big bite or two out of a piece of fruit and leave the rest for us to clean up. Wasteful fellows.

Last year my husband picked and cut up FOUR HUNDRED nectarines from this little tree. At one point I had EIGHTEEN quart size bags of cut up fruit in my freezer. ACK! (I finally threw out the 18^th bag in May.)

This year hubby got a bit smarter. First, he thinned the fruit in the spring in the hope that each nectarine would be a little larger. (I’m not sure that worked.)

Then, instead of cutting up every single nectarine he plucked from the tree, he actually got selective. He tossed those that were too tart. HURRAH!

I remind you these are seriously organic nectarines. Nary a drop of pesticide or even fertilizer touch our fruit. (Which means be wary. Don’t just bite into these babies. Tiny little worms are also part of our urban jungle.)

This year hubby bagged a mere 8 or 9 quart baggies of nectarines. I’ve already made THREE batches of Spiced Nectarine Jam - 14 jars worth. I still have enough cut up nectarines for two more batches of jam. I figure everyone I know will be getting a jar of jam for Christmas this year. Again!

Meanwhile, my daughter who lives 2-miles away didn’t get a single apricot from her tree this year. Sigh....

So how has the harvest gone at your house this year?

Charlotte Carter
Books that leave you smiling
New Beginnings, Guideposts Books, 10/2011
Big Sky Reunion, Love Inspired, 10/18/2011