The Book Pusher's August Mini Book Reviews: V. Diffenbaugh, J. Kibler, C. Martin, P. McLinn

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THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS Vanessa Diffenbaugh: Women's Fiction

 An amazing journey of a foster child into love, loss, and growing up with all of life seemingly against her. Her one solace gives her a voice--flowers and their meanings. This is an absolutely must read.

CALLING ME HOME Julie Kibler: Women's Fiction

A poignant story of love and loss, and what we sacrifice for both. Calling Me Home is a deep, enriching story that shows racism in all its facets, but also tells how love can heal. The lovely characters live and will steal your heart. Must Read!

THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US Charles Martin: Suspense

The Mountain Between Us is an amazing testament to enduring love and the stamina and faith required to maintain it. Must Read

SHOOT FIRST Patricia McLinn: Mystery (Caught Dead Wyoming #3)

McLinn continues her charming mystery series with another twisty story.




Next Week: August Links!

What Is Women's Fiction and Why Is it Needed?

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What is Women’s Fiction for The Thursday Night Book Club at

Neva Lomason Memorial Library, Carrollton, GA--July 21, 2016

I loved sharing my genre with the Thursday Night Book Club. Ladies, your questions and discussions were delightful. The fact that you meet month in and month out to read, share, and discuss good books is something I wish more people did. After all, books are food for the soul.

Here's what I shared with the group. The library provided copies of Diffenbaugh's The Language of Flowers, Kibler's Calling Me Home, and Meissner's A Fall of Marigolds.  Many of them had read more than one of the books. To be able to share some of the best in Women's Fiction with astute readers was a treat.

Why have the genre?

·        If I want to get my good story in front of your eyes, I have to find an agent.

·        Once I find an agent, they need the genre specifics to find editors and publishers.

·        Without a genre classification, you can’t narrow down the hunt.

·        Even if a writer self publishes, they must have the genre clear to find readers.

·        The term WF isn’t denigration. In fact, publishers are actively seeking it. It’s one of the fastest growing genres with a wide-open market.

What is Women’s Fiction?

• First of all, remember, that books that could be classed as WF have existed for a long time: Jane Eyre, Ann Tyler, Gail Godwin, Anita Shreve, Anna Quinlan for example.
• Women’s Fiction Writers Association's definition: “…layered stories that are driven by the main character’s emotional journey.”
• Romance Writers Association's definition: “a commercial novel about a woman on the brink of life change and personal growth. Her journey details emotional reflection and action that transforms her and her relationships with others, and includes a hopeful/upbeat ending with regard to her romantic relationship.”

• RWA ceased allowing Women’s Fiction with Romantic Elements as part of their association in 2012. This was the reason that writers who felt disenfranchised created the WFWA
• “We began this organization in 2013 with the idea to create a safe, nurturing place for male and female writers of women’s fiction. The publishing industry is morphing – with new opportunities and, as yet, unknown futures. Some of us came from the Romance Writers of America, where a shift of focus left many of us out in the rain. The founders of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association wanted somewhere to amass and disseminate information to and about our chosen genre”. The current membership is 791 as of June 29, 2016.

My personal working definition of WF is a story that pulls back the character’s outer layer to find the vulnerable core that makes them tick. In fact, much of what people do is because of the view of our inner core and how it doesn’t stack up to others who are only showing their outer layers. WF works when the core vulnerability creates the tension of the story.

Tropes for Romance vs. Women’s Fiction

Romance Tropes:

o   Heroine and Hero meet early and “cute” or at least in the first few pages.

o   Obstacles must abound to keep them a part making both doubt the outcome.

o   End with Happily Ever After—ends when courtship comes to end. What comes next is out of the Romance parameters.

Women’s Fiction has but one—the emotional journey of the protag(s) with both internal and external conflicts.

Because WF is such a large, general group, we have many subgenres.

·        The first distinction is on this continuum: Literary with the emphasis on character over plot, Upmarket with character still strong, but plot growing to equal importance, and Commercial in which plot is more important.

·        All of them are marketed for book clubs, usually with readers’ discussion guides in the back.

·        Then there are the elements of other genres—the most prominent are Romance and Chick Lit, but you can find mystery, SF, fantasy, and suspense.

How I found this genre:

·        I found my current main story during a dream and began writing. Then I looked into finding an agent and hit a wall. Agents had specific genres that they represent. It’s about a retired teacher and an abused foster child.

·        My story wasn’t mystery (though there is a bit of mystery about why the foster child looks like the MC’s deceased husband), romance, SF, fantasy, Historical, Suspense, or Horror (though some people think abuse fits this category). I knew I didn’t write Literary.

·        That left me with Mainstream. How could I sort through the hundreds of agents?

·        Then I came across Amy Nathan’s blog—Women Fiction Writers—and found my home.

·        When people ask me what I write, I say Women’s Fiction. Let me tell you about my story.”

Here are some Women's Fiction titles that I wholeheartedly recommend!

(In alphabetical order by author:)

Kathryn Craft:

--The Art of Falling

--The Far End of Happy

Vanessa Diffenbaugh:

--The Language of Flowers

Margaret Dilloway:

--The Care and Handling of Roses with Thorns

--Sisters of Heart and Snow

Julie Kibler:

--Calling Me Home

Sue Monk Kidd:

--The Secret Life of Bees

--The Invention of Wings

Susan Meissner:

--Secrets of a Charmed Life

--A Fall of Marigolds

Amy Sue Nathan:

--The Good Neighbor

--The Glass Wives

Barbara O'Neal:

--The Garden of Happy Endings

Barbara Claypole White:

--The Forgotten Garden

--The In-Between Hour

--The Perfect Son

Coming in September: Echoes of Family

I'll be taking a break next week. See you on August 9 with the latest edition of The Book Pusher.

July Links!

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Note to readers: My second cataract surgery is planned for tomorrow. I'll be back around as soon as my eye settles.

Source

I've got a bumper crop of links for you this month. Enjoy!

Inspiration:
Elissa Altman shares "Writing and the Permission to Succeed." We all need this one!

Craft:
Jacqueline Mitchard shares "8 Practical Tips to Avoid too Much Plot in Your Novel."

Donald Maass explains "What Makes Fiction Literary: Scenes versus Postcards."

Abby Geni has some tips on "Description" for us.

Marta Sprout has advice "On Writing Crime Scenes."

Katie Rose Guest Pryal shares how to "Write Around Your Dialogue."

Advice:
"So, How Do You Know If You're a Good Writer?" comes from Janet Reid of Query Shark fame.

Answers to Vexing Questions:
Ronovan shares some info graphics on "Why Readers Stop Reading" that are eye-opening.

Next Week: On Thursday, July 21, I'm presenting to a book club my take on "What Is Women's Fiction?".  I'll report on how it goes.

The Book Pusher's July Mini Book Reviews: J. Blackwell, U. Carbone, C. di Maio, S. Meissner, C. Ruchti

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THE PARIS KEY Juliet Blackwell: Women's Fiction

Genevieve Martin thought that not all locks should be  opened, but maybe some secrets shouldn't be under lock and key. Moving to Paris teaches her that happiness can be hidden away as easily as pain. Good Read.

BLUEBERRY TRUTH Ute Carbone: Women's Fiction

This is a sweet story about hard truth. Add a great main character and you have a good read with genuine heart.

THE MEMORY OF US Camille di Maio: Women's Fiction

This poignant story of love and loss, repentance and renewal, will take you into the heart of Julianne Westcott. The journey will renew your hope for all who have their dreams stolen.

A FALL OF MARIGOLDS Susan Meissner: Women's Fiction

If you haven't read any of Meissner's books, A Fall of Marigolds is a good place to start. Meissner is a master of stories with two setting--in this one we have a 9-11 widow and a nurse working at Ellis Island in 1911. A Fall of Marigolds is a beautiful story of two young women--Taryn and Clare--who must discover the freedom to love and be loved will never be found if we are stuck in between choices. This is a must read! I'd give it ten stars if I could.

SONG OF SILENCE Cynthia Ruchti: Women's Fiction

This gentle story of grace, hope, forgiveness, and love reveals how music and life both benefit from rest.


Next Week: July Links!

The Eyes Have It

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I'll be missing in action next week. I'm having my first cataract surgery. Yes, I'm that old. I know you didn't think so from my photo. Ha! I know better. So, if I don't hop around much next week, please cut me a break. My optometrists and ophthalmologists have been tracking them for over six years. Now, they're finally "bad enough" by the standards of my insurance company for removal. 

Our eyes are so important to our writing. We observe, write, edit--everything with our eyes fully engaged. As my sight took that gradual dimming that comes with age, I knew I'd have to do something. Glare is a constant companion. In fact, when I edit either on screen or on paper, I found the glare to be more than distracting.

Here's hoping that that problem will be gone soon! By the way, I'm opting for multi-focal lens implants. I'll be saying "Goodbye!!!!" to glasses, my hated companion for fifty-one years. (Now, be a sweetie and don't try to figure out my age from that tidbit. ;-)

Hopefully, I'll be a better blog-visitor when this is all done. Keep your fingers crossed!

In Two Weeks: The Book Pusher is back!

The Book Pusher's June Mini Book Review Part 2: E. Carpenter, B. Davis, L. Grimes, IWSG, C. Ruchti,

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BURYING THE HONEYSUCKLE GIRLS Emily Carpenter: Women's Fiction/Suspense

Carpenter gives us a roller coaster of a story full of gothic suspense and deeply moving emotional growth for the main character. Excellent read.

THE SECRETS SHE CARRIED Barbara Davis: Women's Fiction

The secrets kept by Leslie Nichols family at the Peak Plantation have a way of seeking the light. Only Leslie has no clue what's coming until the truth shows up and up-ends her life. Good read.

ALL FIXED UP Linda Grimes: Urban Paranormal

(Ciel Halligan Book 4) With a bang and a giggle, Grimes continues her comic urban paranormal series. Can you imagine Ciel as an astronaut? Apparently the enemy isn't buying it. Great read.

PARALLELS: FELIX WAS HERE IWSG Anthology: Science Fiction

Ten insightful, intriguing stories--all from the minds of the member of the IWSG. Under the direction of founder Alex J. Cavanaugh, this group offers support for writers and, now, has unveiled the depth of talent within this group. There's not a story rating below a 7. If you like thoughtful SF, you'll love this book.

AS WATERS GONE BY Cynthia Ruchti: Christian Women's Fiction

The journey from despair to hope is a long one, and Ruchti's characters are rich, inviting, and forgiving. Lovely story! Told exceedingly well! Must Read.


Next Week:

June Links

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Some of my many books...

And now, on the center stage--the Links for June! There's enough for everyone. Pick and chose of read it all. I aim to please. tease, and share the wisdom of writers, editors, and agents. And, Readers! Without them, there would be no reason for the rest of us. ;-)

Agents:

Chip MacGregor takes on the weighty topic of How Do You Define Success.

• Brenda Warneka shares tips for Negotiation Your Book Contract.

Writers:

• Elizabeth Percer shares her Nine Non-Rules for Writing.
• Chuck Sambuchino has information of the Five Comparisons NOT To Make. (Just when you thought finding comps was complicated, here's more to keep in mind. ;-)
• Michael Neff shares some lessons on Third Person Point of Vew. (This is for all of you who write this POV. I'm a confirmed First POV writer. ;-)
• The meat of any story for me, is character. Now Novel shares Seven Tips for Writing Better Portraits.
• Ella Joy Olsen shares tip for fighting insecurity in "Talking Yourself Down and Talking Yourself Up."
• Laura Drake shares "Why You Should Write Flash Fiction." (Speaking of...if you know of a contest of micro flash fiction 100 to 200 words, let me know.)
• Ben Yagoda makes Commas easy...well easier. ;-)

Readers (without you, we writers would be lost. XOXOX)

• I saved the best for last--Teddy Roosevelt's "Ten Rules for Readers. " This is absolute perfection! 

Let me know which is more "link worthy" to you. I value the input!
Next Week: The Book Pusher's June Mini Book Reviews, Part 2!

The Book Pusher's June Mini Book Review part 1: S. Bryant, D. Gabaldon, D. Hining, L. McNeill, F. Rivers

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CHANGE OF LIFE Samantha Bryant: Science Fiction Women's Fiction

(Postmenopausal Super Heroes book 2) This is a bigger rip-roaring superhero tale than Bryant's book one. I can't wait to find out what comes next for this fabulous cast of women now that their creator has made such heroes of a much maligned group.

THE SCOTTISH PRISONER Diana Gabaldon: Historical Fiction

This is even better than BROTHERHOOD OF THE BLADE and true to its title, it concerns Jamie Fraser and Lord John Grey. If you've ever wondered how these two very different men can be good friends, you must read this book. Besides, we all need a dose of Diana Gabaldon while waiting for the next big Jamie and Claire book.

A SAINT IN GRACELAND Deborah Hining: Christian Women's Fiction with elements of Romance

This is a story about the growth of mature and radical faith. The romance is nuance and amazing, too. Hining has topped her debut with a story of war and peace.

SISTER DEAR Laura McNeill: Women's Fiction/Suspense

In this taut mystery, the brilliant use of multi-POV tells a compelling story. The emotional journey will keep you guessing all the way to the end.

LEOTA'S GARDEN Francine Rivers: Christian Women's Fiction

This is a classic story of pain, forgiveness, love, and sacrifice in the style Rivers is known for. The deeply realized characters tell the story from multiple POV.


If you didn't find anything interesting above, how about one of these? Here are the 2016 WFWA STAR Award Nominees.
Finalists for General are:

• Scott Wilbanks, The Lemoncholy Life of Annie Aster
• Cynthia Ruchti, As Waters Gone By
• Cynthia Swanson, The Bookseller

The finalist for Outstanding Debut are:

• Kelli Estes, The Girl Who Wrote in Silk
• Linda Lucretia Shuler, Hidden Shadows
• Scott Wilbanks, The Lemoncholy Life of Annie Aster

Here's another chance to Read! Read! Read! this summer! Check out WFWA's Summer Reading Challenge.

And now, another place to find me and my book suggestions: Pinterest!

Next Week: June Links! ;-)