Author Archive

Posted on May 18, 2013 - by Rose Ross Zediker

The Envelope Please….

We have winners!

Veronica Sternberg-Wedding on the Rocks

Ginger-Wedding on the Rocks

Maxie Anderson-Rose of Sharon

Bookworm99-Rose of Sharon

Many thanks to everyone for helping me celebrate my book release!

And don’t forget the Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt! You start off at LisaBergren.com and visit the sites of 31 authors. At each stop, collect a clue (listed in red), and then click the link for the next stop. There are THREE great prizes including an IpadMini 32G loaded with a book by each of the 31 authors!!!

Also, there are BONUS giveaways at many of the sites like gift cards and more books.

 

 

 

Posted on May 8, 2013 - by Rose Ross Zediker

Not My Mother’s Makeup

In Wedding on the Rocks, my heroine, Jennifer is a beauty advice columnist for a teen magazine. I chose this profession because as a young girl I loved to read that section of Seventeen Magazine. Yep, the first pages I turned when the monthly magazine hit my mail box were the makeup and hair columns.

I spent my teenaged years in the hip 1970’s, where vibrant blue and green eye shadow and thick mascara laden eye lashes were the grooviest! I’d read about the popular brands, the differences between powder verses cream shadows, and how the shape of the mascara wand changed your eye lashes. I’d pursue the dime store finding just the right shades. (Anyone else remember blue and green mascara?)

However, for a long time I didn’t get to take those necessary beauty items home. You see, my mom, who grew up in the 1950’s thought lipstick was the makeup of choice and the first product a young girl should experiment with. And not just any lipstick but the cherry reds that she wore!

UG! Nobody wore that color but ‘old ladies’, I argued so she changed her mind and bought me….peony pink lipstick. Sigh….she just didn’t get that “the times they were a changing”.  After the lipstick lay unused on my dresser, she finally broke down and let me purchase some pale pink lip gloss.

I can’t remember the exact age I was, when I was finally allowed to purchase a tube of Maybelline Great Lash mascara but I do know that I bought it with birthday money.  

Lipstick was my mom’s go-to beauty product that she wouldn’t leave the house without. Mascara is mine. Enquiring minds want to know the first makeup product you were allowed to wear or what beauty product can you not leave home without?

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HOW CAN YOU WIN A COPY OF WEDDING ON THE ROCKS?

Rose is generously offering not one but TWO copies of Wedding on the Rocks AND TWO copies of her previous release Rose of Sharon to readers who comment during the next two weeks and let us know about their most unusual job or a beauty secret and/or mishap. That’s four chances to win a book every time you post here at Inkspirational Messages in the next two weeks.

Contest closes Friday, May 17 at midnight (central time). It is open to readers in the U.S. and Canada only.

Posted on April 24, 2013 - by Rose Ross Zediker

Like Night and Day

Although we share the same genetics, growing up my (older) sister and I were very different.

She liked hard rock (think Alice Cooper).  I liked soft rock (think the Carpenters).

She hated to sew.  I loved to sew.

She preferred watching soap operas. I preferred riding my bike.

She liked scary shows like Night Gallery. I liked anything BUT scary shows! (It was my writer’s imagination, I’m sure!)

She read mysteries. I read romances.

She stayed up late. I went to bed early.

She wore her hair long (and still does). I wore my hair short (and still do).

She loves summer time. I love winter time.

She ate salty snacks. I ate sweet snacks.

She helped Dad in the garden. I helped Mom cook the garden produce.

Yet we always had fun together going to movies, driving ‘the loop’(dated myself there didn’t I?), playing with Barbie’s and paper dolls, going to rodeos and concerts. The list could go on and on.

We still do have fun together and like all sisters, we also share secrets and memories and have a language all our own. It only takes a slight facial change in a crowd of people to know what the other sister is thinking!

This is the most recent picture I have of us saved to my computer. It was taken about two years ago beside a memorial barn quilt given to the town of Westfield, Iowa in honor of our mother, but it’s not the best because we are looking into the sun!

Do you have someone that you share a language all your own?

Now its your turn. Every time you share one of your sister stories in the next two weeks, you’ll be entered in the drawing for a copy of  When Love Calls for yourself and a matching copy for a sister. Contest closes at midnight, central time on Friday, May 3 and is open to those in the U.S. and Canada. Name chosen by Random.org.

Posted on April 10, 2013 - by Rose Ross Zediker

Short and Sweet

I thought I’d focus my spring reads on one April and two May releases from Heartsong Presents. Harlequin has done a wonderful job of breathing new life into this book club formerly published by Barbour, and have made these shorter books easier to obtain. They are shelved in select stores and sold through Amazon and Barnes and Noble. As a bonus all the Heartsongs are offered in print, Nook or Kindle versions and can be pre-ordered!

With Eyes of Love by Linda S. Glaz

She has the perfect live or so she thought

Barbara Richardson is living a charmed life. Perfect family, beautiful voice, wealthy fiancé. But when she realizes her soon-to-be husband only values her for her pretty face, her life is suddenly in turmoil. Then a handsome young man comes to her rescue when she’s stranded in a storm on Christmas Eve. And the world suddenly seems full of possibilities.

Unlike her former fiancé, Jackson Judge loves Barbara for everything she is, inside and out. But how could so lovely and talented a woman ever love a scarred monster like him? All he can see, shut away in his room, are his wounds from Pearl Harbor. Jackson finds himself questioning God’s plan, but Barbara knows real love looks deeper than beauty or scars. Eyes of love see straight to the heart.

Always Abby by Linda S. Glaz

Abby’s all grown up. She just needs Will to notice.

When WWII soldier Will Judge brings home an orphan boy from Europe, it turns his world upside down.His fiancée might be ready to marry him, but not to mother a war orphan. As Will struggles to figure out his next move, he turns to Abby, his childhood friend.

Since they were teenagers, Abby Richardson’s feelings for Will have always been more than friendly. Once she was willing to be his pen pal and his confidante, listening as he poured out his heart. But now Abby wants so much more: to be part of Will’s ready-made family. What will it take to open Will’s eyes—and his heart?

Wedding on the Rocks by Rose Ross Zediker

Jennifer Edwards is back home again?

When she traded small-town life for the bright lights of Chicago, Jennifer Edwards yearned to discover a world beyond Faith, South Dakota. So when her father’s illness calls her home to run their cattle ranch, she tells herself it’s temporary. Then why is she even thinking about a future with archaeology professor Brett Lange—the boy she left behind—whose life’s work is digging up the past?

Twelve years ago, Brett had a crush on Jennifer the size of the T. rex that put his hometown on the map. Now she’s a citified magazine editor who prefers designer duds to dungarees. Except that’s not the real Jennifer. Brett needs to make her see how a little faith can go a long way in uniting two perfectly in-sync hearts.

***Remember, every time you leave a comment during this Spring Reads series, you’ll be entered for a chance to win Lorna Seilstad’s May release of When Love Calls and a $10 Starbucks gift card.

Posted on March 27, 2013 - by Rose Ross Zediker

Laundry vs. Quitting Writing

 

Remember this next time you’re discouraged with your writing! Anything is better than doing more laundry, right?

Posted on March 13, 2013 - by Rose Ross Zediker

Preventative Measures

I’m going to make a U-turn today and instead of talking about what I do to cure writer’s block I’m going to talk about what I do to TRY to prevent writer’s block, especially while I’m working on the first draft of my manuscript. 

• I work from a loose chapter by chapter outline. That way I have some direction to go when I sit down to write thus avoiding the dreaded white page and flashing cursor.
• I stop writing when I hit my word count goal for the day. That usually leaves me in mid-scene so I can jump right into the story when I sit down to write the next day. Note: I don’t stop in the middle of a tense action scene. Those require a certain momentum that can’t always be recaptured.
• I jot down notes at the bottom of my manuscript before I close my file. These give me a good jumping off point for the next writing session. It may be a few words of where I was heading when I stopped mid-scene or it might be ideas for the characters reaction scene that follows.
• I take every possible precaution to keep my focus on my manuscript when I’m writing. I will admit that dirty dishes sitting on the counter or in the sink doesn’t bother me BUT if that bothers you, load that dishwasher before you sit down to write. By eliminating niggling irritants you can give your manuscript your complete focus. (Yes, sometimes your family is niggling irritants….no you can’t eliminate them!)
• I read but not in the genre I’m writing. I’m a huge proponent of knowing your market and your competition but while you’re writing a rough draft, it’s really easy to start comparing your first draft to that published book. THAT can cause a huge block. So when I’m working on an inspirational romance, I read cozy mysteries or non-fiction. Once my rough draft is finished, I go back to my first love, inspirational romance.

 These tips really help me make full use of my writing time. Does anyone else have any tips that pulls you back into your manuscript and keep your fingers flying across the keyboard?

Posted on February 27, 2013 - by Rose Ross Zediker

Everyday Prayers

Many times when people talk about the power of the prayer in their lives, it’s during a huge life changing event, like terminal illness, relationship problems or a new job. And like others, I’ve struggled with each of those events in my life and have stories of how my petitions were heard and answered by God. But today I want to talk about how simple everyday prayers have affected my life.

 Since I’ve always lived in the plains states and worked full time, I’ve had to drive in nasty weather, including white out conditions. From the moment my vehicles wheels start turning, I call out to God to help me and other travelers get to their destination without incident. I have always made it home safely and know that God heard my prayers.

Many times when I’ve have a bad morning, I’ll ask God to help the day get better. Then something will happen. I’ll hear an old song that brings back a happy memory. A stranger will smile and say ‘good morning’.  I’ll get an email or a text from a friend I haven’t heard from in a while. I don’t believe in happenstance so I know those things are sent from God. And sure enough my day gets better!

Do you realize when God answers even your smallest prayer? I will admit I didn’t always recognize those little things that are answers to my simple prayers but now I do, I never fail to thank Him for them.

Posted on February 13, 2013 - by Rose Ross Zediker

Lovable Heros

The first book hero that I ever fell in love with was Laurie in Little Women. I was so angry at Jo when she turned his affections away. I remember thinking what a mistake! And to be honest, I never did like Professor  Baer! Why? Because Louisa Mae Alcott made me fall in love with Laurie even if she didn’t let Jo return his love. Laurie appealed to me because he knew Jo’s foibles and strengths, yet he loved her in spite of them.

As I matured, so did my taste in fictional heroes. I picked up a copy of Aola Vandergriff’s, Daughters of the South Wind and absolutely fell in love with Dan Tallent. A tall, dark and handsome cowboy, he was just my type. This was back in the late 1970’s and he was not a politically correct hero. He wanted to save the day. He wanted a woman that took care of the home and hearth. But he fell in love with a strong willed woman who’d do anything to keep her and her sisters together and alive, so she sang in a saloon and wouldn’t give it up. These characters stood toe to toe for independence in an era that didn’t allow independence in woman.  The emotions Dan Tallent stirred in me were not the innocent first love feelings that Laurie had, but the fiery passion of complex adult love. The moment he realizes that he’ll love and fight for the heroine no matter what, made me adore him even more, and made me hope for a real-life hero just like him.

Now I tend to go for strong heroes who have a sense of humor. Detective Werner, in Annette Blair’s Vintage Magic cozy mystery series that is more of an antagonist to the heroine and hero, but does have a history with the heroine. They grew up together, not exactly friends but they know it each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Their banter is funny and he fights his attraction to heroine in every book. And I have to say, in every book, I hope she dumps her FBI boyfriend and dates Detective Werner, but so far, she hasn’t. However, I’ll keep reading this series in hope that the heroine sees the light and falls in love with Detective Werner just like I have!

Do you remember the first book hero that you fell in love with?

Posted on January 30, 2013 - by Rose Ross Zediker

Variety –The Spice of Life…um… Story!

I cut my writing teeth on short stories and articles for children’s magazines. I’d taken a correspondence course and one lesson focused on varying the start of paragraphs. Because of this lesson, it was imbedded into my memory to start each paragraph with a variety of words.

Varying the start of paragraphs was so ingrained in me, that I thought this rule was no brainer. Then I read a writer’s blog post who just learned that you shouldn’t start each paragraph the same, especially with a character’s name, and she spent a lot of time revising most of her manuscript.

My minds light bulb flickered. Hmm…not everyone was aware of that? Then while reading one of my favorite suspense authors, I ran across three paragraphs in a row that started with the character’s name. It was jarring and took me out of the story. No writer wants that to happen!

When I learned the “Inkspers” were talking about revisions for the next couple of weeks, I jumped at the chance to cover this topic. Here are five tips to help you keep the first sentence of your paragraphs varied.

1)      Only one paragraph per page can start with a character’s name.

2)      Use a pronoun instead of the name but keep the same rule as the character name, one paragraph per page can start with a pronoun.

3)      Begin the paragraph with dialogue. Show inner thoughts or action after the dialogue.

4)      Rule number one also applies to the word “the”.

5)      Start the paragraph with the character’s action verses name. ‘Blowing out the candle, Esther tried to gauge the distance of the approaching riders over the pounding of her heart.’ Rather than ‘Esther blew out the candle, her pounding heart making it impossible to gauge the distance of the approaching riders.’

Writers, do you have any additional tips for varying the start of your paragraphs?  Readers, do you find repetitive starts jarring when reading a book?

Posted on January 16, 2013 - by Rose Ross Zediker

Follow Through

It’s mid-January. By now you’ve read many blogs posts about the importance of setting goals for your writing career. You’ve set a specific and attainable goal like writing a historical category romance novel and marketing it to agents by the end of December.

So now what? If you want to really complete that novel and send it to agent by the end of the year, you must follow through on your goal.

Here are a few tips that I use to keep on track so at the end of the year I’m happy with my progress:

1)      Breakdown the goal(s) into twelve month increments. Nothing is worse than realizing its December 1^st and the last time you worked on your novel was May.

2)      Write down your monthly goals. I use a journal but a spreadsheet or calendar works great too. Use whatever works best for you.

3)      Keep your monthly goals visible. Remember out of sight, out of mind.

4)      At the end of the month honestly review your progress. I do this in the same journal that I use to list my monthly goals. The key to this is not to gloss over the undone tasks. Note why you didn’t get the tasks done. Did you blow them off to go to the movies? Or did the flu put you in bed for three days? Illness is not something you can control however you control your social life. It’s okay to go to the movies but use that as a reward when you complete your monthly goals.

Setting your goal(s) seems to be the star of the show. In reality, it’s the follow through plan that’s important and helps you score that goal.

Implementing a follow through plan that works for you takes time. Have you found a follow through plan that works for you?