Posted on September 14, 2010 - by Shannon Vannatter
Flying Lessons
Once again, reading has been the thing I do least. With new writing projects, marketing, a husband, an eight year-old, 
and a church family, something had to give. And sadly it’s been reading. No matter how crazy life gets, I make time to read at least one chapter of the Bible daily. And I’m reading Lorna’s, Making Waves. But since I read about thirty minutes two or three times a week before I go to bed and in the pickup line when I go to get my son from school, it’ll take weeks to finish it.
Though I read this book a chapter at a time every three weeks, when the working title was Summer of Truth, it’s fun to see the story in book form, with a really great cover and Lorna’s picture on the back. It’s fun to see what she implemented of my critique advice and what she ignored. And she was right in both cases. But a few weeks ago, before I received my copy of Making Waves, I cleared my calendar and made time for a new writer.
And oh am I glad I did. This book has gripping characters to root for, a wonderful sweet romance, conflict galore, emotional baggage, and a wonderful inspirational theme of letting go and letting God. The adventure-seeking hero was absolutely yummy and the play-it-safe heroine so deserving of his affections. The timely subject matter and pacing of this book jolted me through the pages. I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. And every time I thought the characters would get a break, boom things would get worse, which kept me turning the pages to see what happened next. Yet the writer managed to bring it all to a logical resolution. One of those sweet, perfect endings that makes you sigh with satisfaction.
So, who is the new writer I’ve discovered. Our very own, Brenda. Poor Brenda got lost in the shuffle of mine and Lorna’s dueling deadlines. She critiqued her little heart out on our work, taking extra time to read full manuscripts in a couple of week’s time before we turned them into our editors. In the meantime, critiques on her WIP got pushed aside. So after my last deadline to turn in book 3, I told Brenda to send me the full of her new romance she’d written. She did, three months ago.
Then school let out. An all consuming, only child was home alone and bored. We invited friends over, but we’re talking boys, so that just meant double supervision. Plus, I had editing deadlines, a couple of family trips, speaking engagements, and trying to spruce up my hopefully next series to send to my editor. I didn’t touch Brenda’s book all summer.
School started again and suddenly my productivity went into overdrive. Within a week and a half, I finished my manuscript and sent it to my editor. Since I felt so badly about neglecting Brenda, I set a week aside to critique hers. And thoroughly enjoyed every minute. Brenda will be pitching Flying Lessons to agents and editors this weekend in Indy. I’m praying they’ll enjoy it as much as I did, so that one day I can hold it in book form with a great cover and Brenda’s picture on the back and read for pure pleasure.
Have you ever discovered a pre-published author who made you feel like an agent or editor discovering the next big thing?
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White Pearls by Shannon Taylor Vannatter
Shell doesn't have a good reputation...But no matter what everyone in Rose Bud, Arkansas, thinks of her, she's back in town with a job to do. She'll stick it out and make the best of things. But why does Ryler have to be the landscaper on this project? She was just getting her heart under control. Ryler has his own reasons for being in Rose Bud, and they don't include Shell. Spying on his birth family was going to be hard enough. He doesn't have time to worry about a woman who dumped him...even if his heart says otherwise. McKenzie’s Branson Brainteaser by Shari Barr
McKenzie and Sydney meet in Branson, Missouri, where McKenzie has been recruited to help at the Dixie Stampede. While the girls take in the sights and sounds of Silver Dollar City, they become involved in a search to find a teen girl’s long lost uncle–who is rumored to have settled near the Branson area. With no clue other than a whittled necklace with an “SS” on the back, how will they ever reunite Shara with her uncle? The Camp Club girls are on the case, and they’re not about to give up until they close the gap and reconnect Shara’s family.
The Prodigal Daughter by Linda Fulkerson
Ruled by despair, remorse, and anger, the author’s life had become a classic rendition of the cliché “What’s a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?” Desperate. Overwhelmed. Isolated. Trapped. She hit bottom.
On the elevator of life, those descending will all exit on different levels–some much lower than others. You don’t have to go all the way to the bottom. Stop now and push the “up” button. This book will show you how!
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September 14, 2010
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Kav said:
OOOOOOHHHHHHH! That’s so exciting. Good luck and God’s speed to Brenda!!!! Great endorsement, Shannon.
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September 14, 2010
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Brenda Anderson said:
What Shannon fails to mention is all the grousing & complaining she & Lorna put up with as I tried writing in a different genre. I really do have the best critique partners. Thank you both for putting up with me.
And thank you Shannon for your ringing endorsement. With your encouragement, I’m far more confident about pitching Flying Lessons this coming weekend.
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September 14, 2010
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Dawn Ford said:
Fingers crossed and praying hard for you Brenda!! Whatever happens, God has impeccable timing. (I also tell myself this daily.) So best ofluck and may this be God’s time for great and wonderful things to happen for your book!
Of course, no matter what, I would always buy it.
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September 14, 2010
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Regina Merrick said:
Can’t WAIT to read “Flying Lessons!” And have I ever read a pre-pubbed author that I knew was destined for greatness? Four, actually.
Lorna, Marlene, Kim, and Kav. It still just amazes me that they invited me into their writing group! Great post, Shannon! TWO DAYS!
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September 14, 2010
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Shannon Vannatter said:
Kav, I so wish you were coming. Maybe next year.
Brenda didn’t grouse much at all and she’s slogged through my rough drafts enough to earn a huge trophy.
I’m praying all our submittees success. And sometimes success means learning that one thing that clicks and takes your writing to publishable level. For me it was Margie Lawson’s EDITS class.
Dawn, so true about God’s timing. The first ACFW conference I went to back in 2005, I planned to sell White Roses. It didn’t happen and I cried. But three years later after putting all I learned there into practice, I sold White Roses in Minneapolis.
Regina, I knew Lorna would make it the first time I read her work too.
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September 14, 2010
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Gayle Balster said:
I too believe Brenda’s “Flying Lessons” is a great read and could be the one to get published. I could be a bit prejudiced as she is my sister… but my favorite reading is romance and she truly wrote a book that kept me interested and wanting to turn the pages. I can say the same for Shannon’s “White Roses” and Lorna’s “Making Waves”. Brenda is a great passer on of books to be read. Thanks for the great reading!!
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September 14, 2010
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Laura Frantz said:
Oh, love the title, Brenda! Just wanted to say I’ve been praying for each of you by name who will be meeting with editors and pitching, etc. The Lord has a creative, tailor-made plan for each of you and I can’t wait to see all that He has in store! Thankful I get to enjoy the journey with you (and all it’s ups and downs:)
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September 14, 2010
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Annette said:
HI Brenda
Glad to read all the good reports on your book. We will be praying for you.
Love, Mom & Dad
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September 14, 2010
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Marlene (aka Marlo) said:
Shannon, you gave a great review and you piqued my curiosity.
Brenda, good luck!!! And great title.
Enjoy the conference.
Marlene
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September 14, 2010
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Brenda Anderson said:
We are blessed to have a blog with so many encouraging contributors and readers.
Thanks, everyone,for your support and prayers.
And I’ll be praying for all of you too, that God will continue to guide your feet in His direction, and that He will bless your conference experience.
I can’t wait to meet all of you in person!
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September 14, 2010
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Karen said:
Flying Lessons sounds like an amazing read Brenda. Nice build up Shannon. Hopefully the editors and agents at the conference will be as discerning.
As for me I’ve read one (at the time) newly published author and four yet to be published authors, though Lorna has since left their ranks. But together Kav, Regina, Kim, Lorna and Marlene have given me hours of pleasurable reading and inspiration. Thanks ladies.
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September 14, 2010
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Sarah Anderson said:
I have not read “Flying Lessons” yet, but I have talked with Brenda (my mom) about it quite abit and it sounds amazing! I can’t wait to read it! Next time I come home I’m gonna steal it to college with me!
Good luck this weekend Mom! I love you!
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September 14, 2010
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Kelly Jo said:
I am officially pouting that I haven’t been able to see, touch or even SMELL it!! But I WILL pray for you and the book!! You ROCK as an author in my book (excuse the pun!) and I can’t wait to share you with everyone!
Hugs to you, KJ (Cambridge)
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September 14, 2010
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Shannon Vannatter said:
Hi Gayle,
You have an awesome sister. And thanks for the plug.
Hey Laura,
While your praying, pray for my next series. I thought once you got published, you sold everything you wrote. Not true. I just turned in my hopefully next series and I’m nervous.
Brenda,
You have the best family. How sweet of your Mom and daughter to pop in. Great writers are backed by a great, supportive family.
Marlene and Karen,
It’s really that good. Hooked me from the get go.
Kelly,
Maybe you’ll get to read it in book form.
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September 14, 2010
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Brenda Anderson said:
Shannon, I really do have the best family. And the best writing friends.
Talk about being blessed.
Sorry, KJ. As one of my “official” first readers, you’ll get to touch the manuscript when I return home. I promise!
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September 14, 2010
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Lorna said:
Brenda, I’m not done with it yet, but I have to agree. It is a wonderful book! I can’t wait unti you present it. I’m praying for you and rooting for you!
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September 14, 2010
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Lorna said:
P.S. Shannon, I never ignore your advice. I promise I seriously consider every word you utter.
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September 15, 2010
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Gary Bryant said:
Go Brenda! We all want to hold that published book in our hands. Love Ya!
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September 15, 2010
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JerriLynn said:
Wow…I so miss critiquing with you guys. I can’t wait to sink my teeth into Making Waves. I’ve read part of it, but never got all of it. Ugh! I miss you guys. I’m so happy you’re all doing so well. What a great group you have going there.
Good luck this week to all the Ink Mess writers going to the conference. Wish I could be with you, but maybe next year. That’s my goal. To have something to shop and attend next year.
Love you all!
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September 15, 2010
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Brenda Anderson said:
Lorna – thanks for the prayers. I owe you & Shannon so much for helping me grow as a writer. If I do have some success, I owe it to the two of you.
Gary – I can’t wait to hand you that published book.
Jerri – You’ll love Making Waves. It’s so much fun to read for fun & not try to find those rare places Lorna makes a mistake.