THE MOST HOLY TRINITY

The Adoration of the Trinity by Albrecht Dürer (1511): from top to bottom: Holy Spirit (dove), God the Father and the crucified Christ. [PD-US]

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might not perish
but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world might be saved through him.
Whoever believes in him will not be condemned,
but whoever does not believe has already been condemned,
because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

John 3:16-18

The Seekerville bloggers have been praying for YOU and for our entire blog community. If you have any special intentions that need additional coverage, leave a request for prayer in the comment section below. 

Please pray for our country and for an end to the problems that plague us at this current time, such as the increased cost of fuel and food and the rise in crime. Please pray for world peace, for the protection of our military, law enforcement officers and border agents.   

God bless you and keep you safe.  

When most readers pick up our novels, they’re anticipating an escape. They want to find a few moments away from their everyday lives to live in a world with their favorite (or soon to be) characters. While characters and plot are undoubtedly essential components, never overlook the vital role that setting plays. As authors. we must craft the setting of our stories to evoke emotions and enrich the plot. We need to create an experience for our readers that makes them look forward to our next book or continue reading our series, because we given them a book that’s the entire HEA experience.

Setting as a Character

Just as we carefully craft our characters with backstory, hopes, and dreams, the setting of a novel often assumes the role of a character, as well and should be treated with the same diligence. A well-developed setting possesses its own personality, history, and distinct characteristics that influence the story and its inhabitants. Let’s bring in the masters as examples: J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth or Arthur Conan Doyle's fog-shrouded Victorian London. These settings aren’t just backdrops, but “story engines” that shape the events and drive the actions of the characters. By infusing the setting with depth and personality, we can draw our readers into our fantasy world, allowing them to feel as though they are truly part of the world within the pages.

Setting as a Source of Conflict

Setting can be a fertile source of conflict, intensifying the challenges faced by the characters. Whether it's a bleak and desolate post-apocalyptic wasteland, a medieval castle fraught with hidden dangers, or a small mountain town with it’s own everyday drama, the environment can present formidable obstacles that characters must overcome. Depending on the plot of your novel, the setting can also reflect societal, cultural, or political tensions, adding layers of complexity to the narrative. Imagine a tinder dry California town threatened by wildfire, or a 9.0 earthquake that shakes a major city that then needs to brace for the ensuing tsunami. By integrating conflict within the setting, we not only heighten the stakes but also invite a deeper connection between our reader and the story's events.

Setting as an Emotional Catalyst 

The power of setting lies in its ability to evoke emotions and immerse readers in a particular atmosphere. From the cozy charm of a small-town café to the foreboding gloom of a haunted mansion, the ambiance created by the setting can elicit a wide range of emotions. Can we all say Agatha Christie, Stephen King, Ray Bradbury? A well-described setting can transport readers to another time, place, or state of mind, enabling them to experience joy, fear, nostalgia, or awe alongside the characters. By building on powerful sensory details of the setting, we can foster an emotional connection that our readers won’t soon forget.

Setting as a Reflection of Themes

A thoughtfully crafted setting can serve as a symbolic representation of the novel's themes and motifs. The physical environment can mirror the internal struggles or conflicts faced by the characters, offering a glimpse into how our character perceives themselves and their situation. Think about it — a decaying, dilapidated cityscape may symbolize societal decay or the loss of hope, while a lush, vibrant forest might represent growth, renewal, or freedom. By posturing the setting with the story's underlying themes, we can create a deeper layer of meaning, even if our protagonist is fighting for the future of her bakery or to wrangle back possession of his ranch.

Storytelling is an art form and the importance of setting can’t be overstated. A well-crafted setting breathes life into a novel, immersing readers in a world that exists beyond the confines of their imagination. It acts as a character, a source of conflict, an emotional catalyst, and encourages the reader to see beyond the simple stated text. By recognizing and appreciating the impact of setting, both authors and readers can embark on thought-provoking journeys that resonate on a profound and unforgettable level. 

So, next time you sit down to work on your novel, or open a novel as a treat for reaching a goal, pay attention to the setting—think about the story going from “That was a good read” to “Wow! When is the next book coming out!”

Website: www.audraharders.com

We know that in everything God works for good with those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. ~Romans 8:28 RSV

Memorial Day is a day set aside for honoring and remembering the military personnel who have died in the performance of their duties in the US armed forces.  

Please take a few moments today to reflect on the sacrifices that so many have made to protect not only the cherished freedom of the USA, but that of other countries around the world.

Please stop by again soon!

PENTECOST SUNDAY

Fresco of the Pentecostal dove representing the Holy Spirit at the Karlskirche in Vienna, Austria.[PD-US]

On the evening of that first day of the week,
when the doors were locked, where the disciples were,
for fear of the Jews,
Jesus came and stood in their midst
and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.
The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.
As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,
“Receive the Holy Spirit.
Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,
and whose sins you retain are retained.”

John 20:19-23

The Seekerville bloggers have been praying for YOU and for our entire blog community. If you have any special intentions that need additional coverage, leave a request for prayer in the comment section below. 

Please pray for our country and for an end to the problems that plague us at this current time, such as the increased cost of fuel and food and the rise in crime. Please pray for world peace, for the protection of our military, law enforcement officers and border agents.   

God bless you and keep you safe. 

Wishing you a joyous Pentecost!

May you be filled with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit

 today and in the year ahead.

But, anyway, tacked on to the end of my babysitting day, I’ve been involved in getting the ACFW Conference, ACFW Consignment bookstore, and ACFW Storyfest rolling the last few weeks. One thing led to another and my thoughts ended up on retractable vinyl banners.

Are you thoroughly confused yet? lol

ACFW Storyfest Readers' Event August 2023

I asked around and got some really eye-catching banners to share with ya’ll. I’ll be honest. I don’t think I’ve seen a BAD one yet.  And since there’s nothing new under the sun, I found this great article of 9 Tips on Creating a Unique Retractable Banner. I’m going to just hit the high points, but I’ll share the link to the full article for you to really dig into.  The author did such a good job of outlining everything and it’s worth a read.

I probably could have just sent ya’ll to his article, but there aren’t any examples, and since that’s the main focus of today’s blog, well, here we are.

One of the first questions he asked in his article was what do you want your banner to accomplish?

Well, for writers, most of the time we’re standing right there by our banner, right there with our books. We want people to come over and look at our books, engage with us, hopefully BUY a book or two, and last, but not least, sign up for our newsletter. Maybe even follow us on SM.

What do you want on your banner?

Top billing should be your author name, which is YOUR logo. Like Pam Hillman with Author underneath that. Or, even better, be more specific. If you have a tagline, use that. Mary would use “Romantic Comedy with Cowboys”. For my banner, I would probably put “Historical Christian Fiction.” Leaving the word “author” off completely. 

C.F.E. Black has “heart-stealing fantasy” and underneath that “fast-paced science fiction”. So perfect for her brand.

C. F. E. Black

Generally, most people will know that you’re an author by the piles of books around you, but sometimes at festivals and local events, they don’t always grasp that. They just think you’re selling books. More than once, they are surprised to find out that I AM the author. So spelling out on your banner that you’re an author is a good thing.

Call-to-Action

At the bottom, you’ll want to include your website address, maybe even a QR code. If you want to use your banner to point people to your presence on Social Media, the best way to do that would be with QR codes. If you plan on having a giveaway for people who sign up for your newsletter, follow you on FB, IG, Twitter, etc., having those QR codes right there would make it so easy for them to pop it in. However, you don’t want to get too crazy with these links and QR codes on a banner. It’s probably enough to just send include your website. For newsletter signup, you could provide a QR code right by your guestbook and those who are IT savvy could just sign up right there.

You want your banner to state who, what, and where (where being your presence on the internet). You’re not wanting to point people to your house or a storefront, so don’t put a physical address (unless you DO have a storefront), a phone number, or even your email address. If they need to get in contact with you, your website address is the best way. Or, through Facebook these days.

Branding

Davalynn Spencer

A bit about Banner Size, Vendors, and Pricing. Retractable banners range from 2’ x 5’3” to 2.9” x 6’9” tall. Go as big as you can afford. Almost all venues can handle something as tall as 6’. Remember that you want to catch a reader’s eye from a distance, and you need your banner to stand out above the crowd.

VistaPrint and Banners on the Cheap are two vendors I’m familiar with. Prices can range from $50-$180 and most of these quotes include the retractable stand that comes with your banner. If you’re not in a hurry for a banner, get your design ready, keep an eye on prices and you can sometimes cash in on a great deal (as low as $50) with VistaPrint.

Less is More

Linda Kozar

Color

Building on the paragraph above, a bit more about color. Look at Linda’s banner again. Bright pinks, reds anchoring the top corners of her banner, pastel blue. On brand. C.F.E. Black, again, staying on brand with black, brown, tan, a hint of fire. ACFW’s Storyfest banner which is not an author banner, but promotes the Storyfest Reader’s event is also on brand: black and gold.

Sometimes it takes a few books, a few years to reach a color scheme that really works for you, but once you do, use that to your advantage.

Final takeaway

We’ve covered a lot in today’s post, but there is so much more in the article referenced, so feel free to dig deeper into the topic there. Staying true to your brand is so important. 

Also, you want an evergreen banner that you can use over and over again. So I wouldn’t include dates, locations, or words like “new release” or “local author” on your banner.

A special thanks to authors C.F.E. Black, Davalynn Spencer, and Linda Kozar for coming to my rescue and providing their banners for this blog post.

Want to read more? Check out this article. Retractable Banner Design : 9 Ultimate Tips To Create an Attractive Display Banner

CBA Bestselling author PAM HILLMAN was born and raised on a dairy farm in Mississippi and spent her teenage years perched on the seat of a tractor raking hay. In those days, her daddy couldn't afford two cab tractors with air conditioning and a radio, so Pam drove an Allis Chalmers 110. Even when her daddy asked her if she wanted to bale hay, she told him she didn't mind raking. Raking hay doesn't take much thought so Pam spent her time working on her tan and making up stories in her head. Now, that's the kind of life every girl should dream of. www.pamhillman.com

 I love it when worlds collide, like when earlier this week my librarian daughter messaged me to ask if I knew a particular Love Inspired author because she had just catalogued two of her books. Why yes. I'm even friends with Connie Queen. 😀

The happy collision I'm thinking of today is how lessons taught in a classroom of preteens can apply equally to writers. A few weeks ago, we had a group come to do an assembly with students on mindsets. In preparation for the program, I was reviewing some cute videos with my class, because cartoons can be ageless.

Here are links to them. If you have a few minutes, you might enjoy MOJO! (He's really cute.)

About four years ago, my husband and I went on a close-to-home adventure. We drove the two-hour road trip from Asheville, NC to the real location of Catherine Marshall’s Christy. In the novel, Christy shows up in Cutter Gap, but the place where the real story took place is called Chapel Hollow/Ebenezer Mission and the real Christy gets off the train in Del Rio, TN.

If you’ve never heard of this New York Times bestselling historical novel, here’s a little blurb about it:

The train taking nineteen-year-old teacher Christy Huddleston from her home in Asheville, North Carolina, might as well be transporting her to another world. The Smoky Mountain community of Cutter Gap feels suspended in time, trapped by poverty, superstitions, and century-old traditions.

But as Christy struggles to find acceptance in her new home, some see her--and her one-room school--as a threat to their way of life. Her faith is challenged, and her heart is torn between two strong men with conflicting views about how to care for the families of the Cove.

Yearning to make a difference, will Christy's determination and devotion be enough?

The audiobook read by Kellie Martin (who plays the heroine in the T.V. adaptation of the book) is FABULOUS! (here’s a little article about fact vs fiction in Christy. Also to see some photos of the REAL Christy and mission house, checkthis out.)

The first few photos are from the film site of the t.v. series, which wasn't super far from the actual site, but I see why they didn't choose to film at the actual site because it took my husband's 4-wheel drive to get up the narrow road to the real spot of Chapel Hollow. 

The white church is the actual church in which "David Grantland" preached. The entire building was moved from it's original spot to a little lower down the mountain, I think, some time in the mid 19th century. 

Another interesting discovery on this trip were the miscellaneous gravestones at the church (which is the same church the real David Grantland held service). Hand carved names, poor grammar, words misspelled, and dates etched with simple tools showed a culture who valued their people in death in the best way they could.

Visiting this site on which one of the most-loved stories of Appalachia  was written really spurred a deeper appreciation for the culture I call my own and (paired with family history) influenced the creation of my historical romance novels that are set in the early 1900s Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. 

Have you ever read a book that really captured YOUR culture? Or a book that drew you into a culture with such vibrancy you felt like you were a part of a world very different than your own?

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You can learn more about Pepper and her books on her website at www.pepperdbasham.com