Hi everyone, Winnie Griggs here. Today I want to discuss one of the components that is absolutely essential to any romance story - the Happily Ever After ending (HEA). And for this discussion I’m going to lump Happy For Now (HFN) endings under the same umbrella.

From the outside looking in, this element of your romance seems simple enough to write. After completing their story journey, the hero and heroine discover they truly do love each other, they profess this sentiment in a heart-tugging, romantic manner, and then—figuratively or literally—thy ride off into the sunset with the blissful intention of never parting. Easy-peasy, right?

Wrong—at least not if it’s done right. As with most things, getting it right is much harder than it looks.

So how do you make sure your ending is satisfying and memorable? Below are some things you should take into consideration when crafting your story’s HEA

Don’t rush the ending.
There are certain scenes, even in the fastest paced stories, that have a huge emotional payout for your reader - these are the scenes you most certainly DON’T want to race through, that you want to dig into in order to provide depth and texture and sensory richness. These scenes are the heart and soul of your book, the emotional lynchpins that, when structured well, can land a book on many a reader’s keeper shelf. In a romance, the HEA is one of those scenes.  This means that you should take the pains to immerse the reader in whatever emotions are applicable - hope, joy, anguish, poignancy, rage, passion, or a deep and abiding commitment, or some combination of these.
Just one note of caution here. While you don't want to rush your ending, you don't want it to drag on either. Make sure you give it the emotional depth it needs and then wrap it up.

The HEA should never appear to be cookie cutter or generic.
An ending that has nothing to do with the characters and their story journey will always fall flat. Rather, your HEA moment should be informed by these specific characters and the specific growth and healing they experienced throughout the story. This is their payoff for all of that angst they endured (and the payoff for the reader as well) so make it fit!

Don't make the HEA moment feel like it comes from ‘out of the blue’.
We’ve all read at least one book where the characters had a relationship that went something like “I hate you, I hate you, I hate you, oh wait-I love you.”  Not very realistic and also not memorable (except in a bad way). For the HEA to be satisfying the reader needs to feel it came about over time and as a result of personal growth and the recognition of qualities in their .

Your protagonists should show that they’ve earned their HEA.
They do this by exhibiting growth through overcoming obstacles both external and internal throughout their story journey. It should be clear that the people they were at the beginning of your story could not have made the commitment necessary to grasp their HEA, that it is only by undergoing the changes experienced through their story journey that they are finally ready to make the necessary leap of faith.

There should be a sacrifice of some sort on the part of both protagonists.
Again they need to show they deserve this reward. The sacrifice they each make won’t be the same or even carry the same weight. Instead the sacrifice will be tied to who they are and what their wound is. And a good rule of thumb is, whoever has the biggest problem with commitment should be the one to sacrifice the most, to make the biggest leap, to make himself/herself vulnerable in order to reach for the HEA in the end.

There should be indications that this HEA is truly a new beginning for a rich and fulfilling life to come.
Now that they’ve committed to each other the reader wants some indication that this commitment will stick, especially if one or both fought really hard against it for a large portion of the story. In many romances this is done with an epilogue, but that’s not the only way to do it. It can be shown in the depth of the sacrifice, in the willingness of a proud protagonist to humble himself.

So that’s my HEA checklist. If you've reached this point in the writing of your story, you've invested a lot of blood, sweat and tears in its creation - make sure you don't fumble the ending. Give your readers an ending that makes them sigh with satisfaction and think about your story long after they've closed the book.

Can you give an example of a book or film that you thought had a particularly memorable HEA? Leave a comment to be entered in a drawing for any book from my backlist.

Have you heard about the “NEW” Faith, Hope & Love Christian Writers organization?

It’s an online group for writers at any stage of their careers, from pre-published to established authors. If you’re a writer or are interested in writing, FHLCW is the organization for you!

The original FH&L was established in 1996 as a chapter of Romance Writers of America. In 2021, the 90-plus members disaffiliated from the national group and became an independent writing group that has seen its membership grow ever since.

The FHLCW website (https://fhl-cw.com/) provides an in-depth overview of the organization. Here’s some of what you can find there:

What is FHLCW’s purpose?

“To promote excellence in Christian fiction and/or fiction written from a Christian worldview. To help Christian writers establish their careers and to provide continuing support for writers within the fiction publishing industry.” We accomplish this stated purpose through our email groups, our online programs, our contests and awards, etc.

»FHL sponsors an email group where members can exchange publishing information, discuss writing issues, and receive encouragement.

»FHL sponsors the FHL READERS CHOICE AWARD to honor the best in published Christian Romantic Fiction as well as the TOUCHED BY LOVE AWARD for unpublished manuscripts.

»FHL seeks to encourage its members through special projects, including through online chapter programs via Zoom and Facebook Groups.

»FHL seeks to connect members with readers through social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

I told FHLCW President Nancy J. Farrier that I would be talking about FHLCW on Seekerville today, and she sent this lovely note to our blog community to help explain the many positive aspects membership in the organization entails!

I have been a member of FHL, now FHL Christian Writers, almost since its inception in the 90's. I love our group. Now that we are independent, we are striving to be a family of writers. We encourage one another. We have excellent programs with replays available to members. We have Zoom gatherings when we meet according to genre or location or one of many other topics to chat with one another. Our authors can connect with each other, even when they live in Australia or Europe. This year, we reinstated our Touched by Love Award for unpublished authors and were surprised at the eager response. I'm so excited to see these authors grow. We have several critique groups and next month we are having a workshop for members only to teach how to benefit from cross-promotion. Exciting stuff. My dream is for FHLCW to become more of a family. To have our own conference in the future--one that is an encouragement to all so that we build each other up. I'm excited to see how we're growing and look forward to new horizons. 

I also heard from longtime Seekervillager and now FHLCW Prayer Volunteer Coordinator Patti Jo Moore, who sent this message:

The FHLCW organization is such a caring group of Christian writers, and I'm thankful to be a member. Not only are members willing to share their expertise in certain areas, but more importantly, they are always willing to pray when a member has a concern or a prayer request.

My favorite aspect of this group is our Monday morning prayers. I am the Prayer Volunteer Coordinator for the group, and have been so blessed and inspired by the uplifting prayers that our members post. When I asked for volunteers, the responses I received made me realize just what a caring group I'm in! I truly feel the Lord is at work through the members of FHLCW.

Both messages reveal how the “new” FHLCW is a Christian organization centered on the members and their needs. Whether you’re actively writing or interested in writing, consider joining FHLCW. I feel confident you’ll enjoy the many benefits available to the members!

Happy Writing! 

Wishing you abundant blessings,

Debby Giusti

www.DebbyGiusti.com

#2 on the Publishers Weekly Bestseller list for Religious Books

A Two-in-One By

Debby Giusti

The Officer’s Secret

In the middle of the night, Maggie Bennett finds her army officer sister dead in her military housing. But as US Army criminal investigations agent Nate Patterson begins asking questions, Maggie can’t tell the handsome man everything she knows. Except that her sister was definitely murdered—for a secret Maggie can’t share. Then she walks into the killer’s trap and has to trust Nate with the truth…and her heart.

The Soldier’s Sister

Someone wants Stephanie Upton dead. Fearing for her life, Stephanie turns to Special Agent Brody Goodman for help. But can she trust him when he’s convinced her own brother is a prime suspect? Torn between her devotion to her brother and the agent she may be falling for, Stephanie doesn’t know who or what to believe. But soon she’ll have to choose sides to stay alive…

Order NOW!

When I told her my dad had recently given me my own hidden treasure, she urged me insisted that I share it on my Seekerville post this month. "Sure!" I said. "That would be fun." (That may not be an exact quote.)

Christ the Savior (Pantokrator), a 6th-century encaustic icon from Saint Catherine's Monastery, Mount Sinai [PD-US].

Jesus said to his disciples:
"I have come to set the earth on fire,
and how I wish it were already blazing!
There is a baptism with which I must be baptized,
and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!
Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth?
No, I tell you, but rather division.
From now on a household of five will be divided,
three against two and two against three;
a father will be divided against his son
and a son against his father,
a mother against her daughter
and a daughter against her mother,
a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."

Luke 12:49-53 

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

May the Lord bless you and keep you safe.    

 by Chris Fabry

It also happened with my writing a few years ago. A reviewer online had said something cutting and biting about one of my novels. He referred to what brings me joy as “silly little stories.” 

If you write, you have to grow a thick skin. Same with doing any kind of public speaking or revealing your thoughts and personality through radio. Not everyone is going to get what you’re saying. 

The truth I keep coming back to is that if God has placed a creative desire inside you—and since he’s wildly creative, why wouldn’t he?—then allow the process to do its work in you as well as on the page. I do not control the outcome of my stories. I don’t dictate how they will be received. I don’t know if what I’m doing will be a bestseller or a bomb. But I do know that my job is to be faithful to tell the story with everything in me and allow that process to change me.

As I was writing the novelization of Lifemark, a story crafted and filmed by the Kendrick Brothers, I had two competing voices inside. One was loud and brash and angry, like a heavy metal rendition of “My Way.” That voice said something like this: Readers are going to see through your agenda. You just want people to believe the way you do and to control women’s bodies. The accusation and vitriol continued as I fleshed out the story of Melissa, a teenager with an unwanted pregnancy.

Don’t give up.

Keep telling your stories.

The criticism is meant to stop you because you’re doing something that counts.

Don’t give up.

I’d love to hear of a moment when you listened to the whisper rather than the noise.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Chris Fabry is an award-winning author and radio personality who hosts the daily program Chris Fabry Live on Moody Radio. He has written more than 80 books for children and adults.

Author's Website , Chris Fabry Live - Moody

ABOUT LIFEMARK

For eighteen years, she tried to believe she had made the right decision—for him.

But if she never saw him again, how could she ever be sure?

Melissa had clung to the thin thread of hope given by the adoption agency that someday her newborn son might want to connect with her. When his eighteenth birthday arrived, she called the agency to simply update her contact information, not expecting a response.

Susan and Jimmy Colton had raised their boy with openness about his adoption. After the heartbreaking loss of two infant sons that marked their early years of marriage, they promised themselves they would try not to hold too tightly to David or hold back any information he wanted about his birth. And so they waited on him.

David was hesitant to talk about the questions and curiosities about his birth story that often haunted him. But as he neared adulthood, his need to know the full story of his life became something he couldn’t shake. Until the call came to the Coltons from the adoption agency, and the first tentative bits of communication and connection set in motion a story that would change all their lives forever.

From the team that brought you the movies Courageous and War Room comes Lifemark, the novelization of the new film inspired by a true story of adoption, redemption, and hope.

Giveaway

By Seekerville Guest Blogger Mary Alford

Being a writer can seem isolated at times. It’s just us and our computer, (and sometimes writer’s block) typing away for hours on end. Amidst the looming deadlines, it’s easy to lose track of time and the things happening around us. It’s just us and a whole lot of blood, sweat, and tears, (and of course our favorite snacks such as Bai Coconut water and peanut butter M&Ms—just saying!). 

Despite the sometimes-hectic pace we keep, there are many blessings to be found along the way. The biggest for me are the wonderful readers and authors that I’m happy to call my friends, and the hidden gems I discovered while doing research that I know came straight from God.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with me, I write Amish Romantic Suspense. I started writing in the genre a few years back after reading Beverly Lewis’ THE SHUNNING. I fell in love with the Amish genre. It’s so much fun to read and to write. 

When I started AMISH COUNTRY KIDNAPPING, my first Amish book for Love Inspired Suspense, I wanted the Amish community to be remote and set in the mountains. I feel the setting is very important in suspense in that it helps to create an atmosphere of danger and intrigue. 

Did you know there are actually several Amish communities in Montana?

When I found the West Kootenai Amish community, I fell in love with its remoteness. The community can only be reached by crossing the Koocanusa Bridge, which is over Lake Koocanusa. 

I’ve written 6 books so far that are set in this community. Several revolve around 5 brothers. The last book about the Shetler brothers of West Kootenai will be released in March of 2023.

My latest release came out June of this year through Revell and is entitled, AMONG THE INNOCENT. The story takes place in the Amish community of St. Ignatius, Montana. 

There were so many hidden gems to be found in St. Ignatius and it was a joy to research.

The community is the only Amish community in the US to sit on tribal lands. Both the community and the town of St. Ignatius are part of the Flathead Indian Reservation. And there are 3 different law enforcement agencies that have jurisdiction over the area. The tribal police, the St. Ignatius police force, as well as the sheriff’s department out of Polson. All 3 police agencies are featured in AMONG THE INNOCENT.   

Another interesting fact about the Amish community is that it backs up against the rugged Mission Mountains. The mountains cast their shadows over the Amish community below them and act as silent witnesses to the danger unfolding in the book.

But my favorite gem of all was discovering the historical St. Ignatius Mission which features 58 hand-painted murals painted by Brother Joseph Carignano, a self-taught artist who worked as the mission cook and handyman many years ago. The beauty of the mission is something to behold. 

When I set out to find the perfect mountain location for AMONG THE INNOCENT, I had no idea the wonderful gems I would uncover that would make their way into the book. I hope readers will see them and be as thrilled by St. Ignatius as I was.     

So, what’s next? Well, we’ll be traveling to the Ruby Valley of Montana, to a small (fictional) community there sometime in 2023. I’m excited about starting a new book as well as creating my first fictional community.

As a reader, are there certain aspects of the Amish way of life that you like to see in a book? Which ones would you prefer not to read about?

About Mary 

Mary’s titles have appeared on the USA Today Bestselling List, Publisher’s Weekly Bestselling List, and have finaled in the Daphne Du Maurier award of excellence in mystery, The Beverly, The Maggie, and The Selah Awards.  

Mary is published through Annie’s Publishing, Love Inspired Suspense, Forget Me Not Romances, as well as being an Indie Published Author. Mary’s first book through Revell Publishing entitled Among the Innocent features an Amish suspense theme with a twist. 

As a writer, Mary is an avid reader. She loves to cook, can’t face the day with-out coffee, and her three granddaughters are the apple of her eye. She and her husband live in the heart of Texas in the middle of 70 acres with two very spoiled cats and a sweet rescue dog named Cody.  

Mary is regularly active online and would love to connect with readers on Facebook and Twitter or any social platforms listed at www.maryalford.net.

About AMONG THE INNOCENT 

When Leah Miller's entire Amish family was murdered ten years ago, the person believed responsible took his own life. Since then, Leah left the Amish and joined the police force. Now, after another Amish woman is found murdered with the same MO, it becomes clear that the wrong man may have been blamed for her family's deaths.

As Leah and the new police chief, Dalton Cooper, work long hours struggling to fit the pieces together in order to catch the killer, they can't help but grow closer. When secrets from both of their pasts begin to surface, an unexpected connection between them is revealed. But this is only the beginning. Could it be that the former police chief framed an innocent man to keep the biggest secret of all buried? And what will it mean for Leah--and Dalton--when the full truth comes to light?

USA Today bestselling author Mary Alford keeps you guessing as two determined souls plumb the dark depths of the past in order to forge a brighter future--together.

Leave a comment and be entered for a chance to win a copy of Mary’s latest release, AMONG THE INNOCENT.

Ruthy here!

I am so excited to see this wonderful series hit the shelves of Guideposts.com!

"Love's a Mystery" is a great new concept for Guideposts, a wonderful coupling of TWO novellas in one book... a historical romantic mystery and a contemporary romantic mystery, written by two separate authors.

WE HAD SO MUCH FUN WORKING ON THESE STORIES! 

Gabrielle Meyer did the historical on this one... I did the contemporary, and it was wonderful to spend a couple of days in Sleepy Hollow (formerly North Tarrytown, renamed after a huge manufacturing shutdown by General Motors left the town reeling and virtually unemployed).

But the town hit the Reset button, changed its name to reflect Washington Irving's amazingly successful story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and now the town is a tourist mecca of history, great sites, wonderful foods, bakeries, kitchens, great churches, and black-and-orange street signs. :) 

And now the book is out... A wonderful romance that sizzles in the midst of an autumn mystery and no one in Sleepy Hollow has time to mess around in October! :) 

From Guideposts, Inc.: 

When a strange man claiming to be the brother of Ichabod Crane accuses Brom Van Brundt of murdering Ichabod, his daughter Hannie begins a desperate search for the truth. Was the local folklore true? Was Brom the headless horsemen who scared Ichabod out of Sleepy Hollow? Or did something more sinister happen? The handsome new schoolmaster, Gideon, offers to help Hannie, but how long can they hide their growing feelings for one another?

Then turn the page and travel 200 years to the present where Tess has returned to Sleepy Hollow to help run her Gran’s soup shop. But all is not well. Gran has been scammed out of thousands of dollars by a bogus animal charity. She hires Riley O’Toole, Tess’s high school crush, to help. As Riley and Tess investigate, sparks soon fly. Is Gran secretly playing matchmaker?

#fun

#amazing

#flyingsparksrock

THEN...  in two months I am blessed to have a second novella in this series:

"Love's a Mystery in Cut and Shoot, Texas", a pair of Christmas stories set in an iconic Texas town named... you guessed it... Cut and Shoot!

Throughout all the crazies and over-reactions of the past two years, the Guideposts team has stayed at the top of their game with all of their work on inspirational writings, devotionals, self-help books and a deep-dive into more fiction and rebranded fiction. This new series goes along with the republishing of the Summerside Press books that hit the charts years ago, an original Love Finds You series including my "Love Finds You in the City at Christmas", an award winning novella "Red Kettle Christmas" which will be loved, loved, loved by fans of "Call the Midwife".

SO BLESSED! 

So they're republishing my historical "Red Kettle Christmas" in "Love Finds You in the City at Christmas", a wonderful step back into 1947 Manhattan and these two new novellas.

Yes, it's been a busy year!

Yes, I'm so blessed to be part of this.

And yes, I'm looking forward to more mysteries with Guideposts! 

So celebrate with me today... Leave a comment and one person will win a copy of "Love's a Mystery in Sleepy Hollow, NY"! 

 Do you ever find hidden treasures? I love it when that happens. 

The other day, my dad and I were sifting through some of the treasures my Momma left behind. We uncovered old family photos we didn't know she had, Bible verses on post-it notes, and then I uncovered the award-winning first stories by Jaime Jo Wright. 😂😂

Okay, fine. Not really. But I did find it curious that Mom saved these. What makes a mother save things that seem insignificant? There was no way possible, when I was in 1st grade, that Mom knew I'd grow up to not only want to write stories, try to write stories, but actually publish stories. Still, something about these two pieces of paper must have tickled her funny bone or touched her heart in a way that made her tuck them away.

Years later--forty, to be exact--these stories were rediscovered after she moved to Heaven. What it tells me, is not really that I'd grow up to be an author who won an award that sits on a shelf now. What it tells me is that my being an author meant nothing to my mom. What meant something, was me. My attempts at poor writing. My mind and my heart. She cherished me. Treasured me. Enough to spirit away these small remnants as something precious.

It's a gift she left behind just for me. When I frame them--and I will--it's not because I want to read my 6 year old attempts at story. It is because it's a treasure of love, a testament to her mother's heart, and a true message of a mother who is a cheerleader. Even now. Cheering me on with the rest of the great cloud of witnesses.

What treasures have you found after a loved one has moved on?