If you’ve kept to more than a few of my posts here, I’m sure you’ve gathered that I love old things. Old books embrace me. Old movies draw me in. Old folks’ tales take me back, teaching me much and making me grateful. Old ways of life make me realize that not all things modern make life better. Old friends feed my soul. Old customs make me long for a time when, for the most part, we were a more courteous and honorable people.
A few years ago, my family (they know I like the old stuff) added to my Mother’s Day gift a copy of “Mrs. Sharp’s Traditions: Reviving Victorian Family Celebrations of Comfort & Joy” by Sarah Ban Breathnach. Now, how did they know that was right up my rose-lined foot-path? It’s one of those books that is so full of beautiful artwork on nearly every page that turning the pages without even reading it brings you peace. I found it for you here on Thriftbooks for under six dollars! Of course, it’s also on Amazon for around twenty dollars.
Here’s an example of a page in my copy that depicts Victorian life in the month of August.
As I flipped through it today, it struck me that we’ve come a long way from this scene and in some ways this is a relief! I thank the Good Lord for air conditioning, especially since my thermometer registered 99 degrees today. As a culture, we are far more likely to shove the kids (or ourselves) in the direction of the pool or the TV than we are to embrace nature or, if confined indoors, invent our own ways of having fun together. That causes us to miss out on a lot. Families thrive when they are together and engaged. Your children and grandchildren’s relationships with others their age thrive when they are doing something with each other besides texting and social media. It can be a struggle to get back to where we belong.
I thought I would review the book and offer you a glimpse of some of Mrs. Sharp’s ideas that might help you turn this last stretch of summer into something that draws the family together rather than apart. My apologies here to any artists or writers here if doing so violates any rules of the trade, but I fail to see what this review can do other than to promote the sale of more of your books!
Sarah Ban Breathnach created the fictional Mrs. Sharp sometime after a debilitating accident put her out of commission for quite some time. Mrs. Sharp then became so beloved that many readers became convinced she was a real person. It was a little disheartening, wasn’t it, when you found out Betty Crocker was – Oops! Well, I guess that was a spoiler for some of you, wasn’t it?
If you’re tired of being the family activities coordinator who can’t pull the participants out of their rooms and off their phones, you can start with something simple such as a Matinee Party. Pop the popcorn and gather everyone around (family members or friends) for a movie in the comfort of air conditioning. This is the modern version of getting everyone outside for a neighborhood stage production or puppet show. If you can handle the heat, choose the latter two! Your kids will remember it far longer than the movie. You could even hire a trustworthy teenager to be the director and oversee rehearsals.
She suggests a memory book party. Provide scrapbooks and glue and, set up a table and put out everyone’s photos and memorabilia in front of them. Soon they’ll each be creating their own special book and writing what they remember about the experience or items on each page.
If you’re like me, you might want to plan literary games. Kids can cook a meal based on their favorite book, such as the Twelve Oaks barbecue from “Gone With the Wind” or fried catfish and corn bread from “Tom Sawyer”. If that’s too complicated, consider a croquet game as in “Alice in Wonderland”. Mrs. Sharp recommends skipping the use of flamingos, however. Personally, I’d leave hedgehogs out of it as well.
Of course, in Victorian times, people made fun out of necessary work. Once the process of canning became widespread, there was hardly a household that didn’t fill a cellar with shelves bursting with jars of garden produce. Later, we all lapsed into buying all our canned goods, but now that we have better equipment in our air-conditioned kitchens, it it catching on again amongst those who want to grow their own healthier, tastier food and enjoy it throughout the year. Not only would your children learn much if you involve them in the process, but they might really enjoy it if you get some cute labels for the jars, let them label their own products with their name and then, of course, have the joy of delivering a jar or two of it to someone they’d like to bless.
Don’t forget about doing just what you see in the beautiful art here. Just enjoy nature on it’s own. Watch the weather forecast and when a slightly cooler or overcast day is expected, head outside or to a nature center and collect all sorts of leaves, seeds, pods and types of things other than ticks, chiggers and poison ivy. Peach pits can be carved into baskets and acorn tops can become dishes for dolls to eat from.
Planning the outing with family or friends can be just as exciting as actually going. I had to remind myself of this recently when Smuffy and I had planned to take Lil’ Snookie to a nature center for the day. There were trails, activities set up in clearings in the woods and surprises like a giant turtle to climb on and a very tall tower designed to prevent falls. Lil’ Snookie had a blast and just kept shouting out, “We’re hikers!” intermittently throughout the day. This grandma, however, had to adjust her attitude in midstream due to the fact that she had failed to notice that the inside of the place would be closed on that particular day. You see, the inside was filled with live animals, a giant fish tank and a further array of fun hands-on learning that would have delighted Lil’ Snookie beyond his wildest dreams. However, since he’d never been there before and had never seen the inside, the picnic lunch and outdoor attractions were more than enough and after ten minutes or so of wanting to stomp, spit and wave my arms in frustration, I joined in with a shout of, “We’re hikers!” and we had a great day. Smuffy, however, expressed the opinion that Raccoon Run was a far longer trail than necessary and I opted out of climbing the tower due to the fact that I felt I’d already climbed every giant fallen log in the forest.
There’s always the good old backyard campout. Smuffy knows that aside from preparing the food I’ll put him entirely in charge of a thing like that and he says he’ll wait until Lil’ Snookie and Fruity Pebbles are old enough to stay out there longer than five minutes once the coyotes start their evening concert.
Maybe you want to grab a copy of “Mrs. Sharp’s Traditions: Reviving Victorian Family Celebrations of Comfort & Joy” and find out what you can do throught the year to draw your family together in positive ways. (No need to dress the part unless you absolutely thrive on that sort of thing.)
Whatever you do, enjoy the rest of summer! Leave a comment and tell me what kind of interesting things you’ve done that bolster family togetherness.
I’ve been spending every spare moment (hear me chuckle at the idea of one of those) editing the first novel in my series so that I can get it back to the publisher. This is so they can get it back to me and I can get it back to them and they can get it out to you. What could be simpler?
Much has been going on with our household lately and I find myself dealing with a greater degree of stress than I’d prefer. As I’ve often let you know, I’m a great fan of P. G. Wodehouse. No, make that an absolute addict. He is my literary idol. Although I do read many other books, I daresay that if you found yourself in a wager and had to guess what might be found on this writer’s nightstand at any given moment, it would be a Wodehouse. It would likely be one I’ve already read multiple times. His brand of humor just makes my day and since laughter is the best medicine I turn to him especially in times of stress. To enter his wonderful world of enjoyable characters and bathe myself in his ability to turn a phrase washes the day’s troubles away and gives me a reset.
Smuffy has an author who does the same for him. He’s able to re-align and de-stress within the pages of Gladys Taber. That might seem out of character for Smuffy, but if you’ve followed him on my Life with Smuffy page, surely you’ll be able to see how a writer who moves into a centuries-old New England farmhouse and chronicles her existence in a place where nothing much every really happens would be a stress-reducer for someone who manages to find himself in as many scrapes as Smuffy does.
Not too long ago, a dear friend of mine who also loves to read old books introduced me to Miss Read and I’ve had time now to read a couple of her books. I find delightful peace within the pages. I’ve just finished “Thrush Green”. It’s a short read and melts the world away.
As I’ve been acclimating myself to the publishing world for the last several years, I am so often told that the modern reader craves instant action, strong characters, twisting plots and, if at all possible, some kind of bomb going off on page two of the manuscript. I’m not opposed to it. In fact, my novel series will make you laugh, make you cry and yank you around in spots. I find, however, that as a lover of old books, I don’t always need that. Sometimes I just need a peaceful escape.
If you’d like to take a break from your stress, I’d recommend a visit to the quiet English village in “Thrush Green”. The story, set in the 1950’s, takes place on the first day of May as a one-day fair comes to delight most of the townspeople and aggravate a few of them. In that 24 hours, you’ll meet the trusted old doctor and his possible replacement. You’ll fill with hope for the girl with the broken heart and cheer on two young lovers as they navigate the hurdles that others place between them. You’ll discover who the scoundrel is and pat the hero on the back and give a few sighs of sadness at the thought that you may be witnessing the end of an era for this quaint village.
All this, yes, as the stress of your own life eases away. What better way to call it a day than to take a vacation to such a place before dropping off to sleep?
So, while you must wait a bit longer to get your hands on my own page-turner, you can check out Miss Read and start with “Thrush Green”, the first in her “Thrush Green” series.
You can find many of the books by this author at great prices here at Thrift Books. I find their deal of free shipping with at fifteen dollar purchase a great buy – just pick up two or three titles at once. And, as always, it’s here on Amazon.
Spring is so revitalizing and healthy for us in body, mind and spirit, but it isn’t quite here yet. Use these remaining chilly days to get in some relaxing reads.
What have you been reading lately? Leave a comment and share a book or books that soothe your soul!
I may need some soothing tomorrow. While we enjoyed 82 degrees today, it will dip to 22 degrees tonight and will fight its way to a mere 40 degrees tomorrow and my calendar says that I’m not allowed to stay in and keep cozy. This is where I live, folks!
Subscribe to my blog if you haven’t already. That’s where all my announcements will be concerning the release of my novel series coming soon!
December has gone by in a blur around here. I hear it hasn’t been so for some of you who’ve had pretty much everything cancelled. I didn’t get in much blogging and writing time due to my small daily companion even though he tried to be such a help with his new skills at grabbing and throwing, paper tearing and high-speed floor cruising. Evenings and naptimes seemed to be the only slots available for this gal who normally suffers from Martha Stewart/June Cleaver/Mary Poppins/Emily Post-itis to decorate, create, bake, wrap and deliver. But, hear me loud and clear – I’m not complaining! This Grandma Life – there’s nothing like it!
I didn’t really know what to ask for this Christmas because I’ve learned from experience that no matter how many times you proclaim that all you want is a nap, you never open a box or bag and find one.
My First Friday Freebie did, however, find a new home and if you’ve been keeping up with Midwest Storyteller for a while, you may recognize the winner –
Kathy from Prairie Home, Missouri!
Congratulations, Kathy! I hope you’ve had time to enjoy your gift!
Kathy is such a creative spirit. She’s been a guest here on the blog to share some of her creations. Hopefully, she’ll reappear here at Midwest Storyteller again in 2021 and show us how to do more creative projects. If you’d like to take a peek into her talents and see the Freebie she helped me create, click here. Other creative ideas are found on my Create! page.
Kathy received this copy of Glenn Beck’s novel, “The Christmas Sweater”. I offered this book after reading it myself and giving it five stars. I recommend it for ages pre-teen and up.
If you’d like to see the original freebie offer, check it out along with my thoughts on the book here.
You can see past First Friday Freebies and their winners on myFreebies! pagehere. If you’re not yet a subscriber to Midwest Storyteller they might entice you to become one – First Friday Freebies are for email subscribers only.
Kathy entered her email in the subscription area here on the blog and then confirmed her subscription when the confirmation email arrived in her inbox. If you’ve done that and not received a confirmation email, please email me at barb@midweststoryteller.com and let me know as I am trying to work out a few bugs with that.
Subscribing is the best way to avoid missing what’s new here on the blog because you’ll get an email reminder each time there’s something new – like when there’s a FREEBIE on the First Friday of every month.
Comment as directed on the post that offers the Freebie and you’ll be entered to win.
Freebies are my way of reaching more people with the stories, recipes and more. When you share with all your friends via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, you’ll give them the opportunity to subscribe and win also. Subscribing is free. Freebies are free. Get the idea?
Coming up: The First First Friday Freebie of 2021! That takes place on Friday, January 1st. I’ll surprise you that morning with a “Happy New Year” and a photo of January’s free gift, so don’t forget to check it out.
A winner is chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight on the day of the drawing.
REMEMBER: Should your name be drawn as the winner, you will be notified via the email you used to subscribe. That means you’ll need to check your email often in the week following the drawing so that you can respond and keep the prize from being offered to someone else.
Take a moment make yourself familiar with the complete Freebie Rules by clicking HERE.
These four simple steps will have you ready to enter to win on Friday, January 1st, 2021.
Preparing to say “goodbye” to 2020? It’s been quite an experience! Blessings on your life as we enter a bright and happy new year!
This month’s First Friday Freebie is one that you’ll really enjoy and I hope you’ll share it with someone else.
I’d heard about this for years and had put it on my mental list under “Someday When I Have Time, I’m Going to Get This Book Because I’m Curious”.
From what I’d heard, it seemed to be about a boy and a sweater he’d received one Christmas. As a novel with such a plot, I couldn’t fathom why the author, Glenn Beck, would put out such a book. There must be some driving purpose, right? Some political point? Some analogy to the times in which we live?
Well, there is a driving purpose and it’s not what you think.
It takes a while for things to move to the top of my slush pile and when I tell you that this book came out in 2008 and that I just read it a few months ago, you get the idea. I discovered the purpose of the book at last and I believe that Glenn’s intent was to tell his own story in a unique, entertaining and heartfelt way and, most importantly, to heal your soul.
The copy I am sharing with you today is in large print, making it easy to read for you, young readers or anyone else who needs that feature.
Yes, it is about a boy and a sweater he received one Christmas just as he entered his trying teen years. It’s about his loss, his heaving emotions, his relationships with his parents, grandparents and everyone else. As I read it, I found myself wanting all boys and girls in this stage of life to read it and find that they are not alone and that God cares. You’ll fly through the pages and won’t be able to put it down. Glenn gets an A+ rating from me on “keeping it clean”.
To enter to win this copy of “The Christmas Sweater”, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “Send me The Christmas Sweater!” You’ll need to do that before midnight TONIGHT, December 4th, 2020!
NOTE: There seems to be a problem here on the blog with people trying to subscribe and not receiving their confirmation email. If this has happened to you, please email me at barb@midweststoryteller.com and let me know so that I can report all these instances and have the issue solved.
First Friday Freebies are for email SUBSCRIBERS ONLY, so hop on over to the right sidebar or use the drop-down menu on your device to navigate to the “Contact” page and subscribe to Midwest Storyteller if you haven’t done so.
Your friends will enjoy the stories, recipes, laughter and, of course, the FREEBIES here on the blog, too, so share with all your friends and family through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest.
Subscribers win every single month! On the “Freebies” page, you’ll be able to see what they’ve been winning.
Once again, a winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight tonight by leaving a comment which says, “Send me The Christmas Sweater!”
Don’t let the day slip away! Subscribe now if you haven’t already, and confirm in your email before you forget! (See note above concerning subscription problems.)
Christmas will be here before you know it! My apologies for moving straight from “Freebie-to-Freebie” this month. There has been much to distract me as you will see in upcoming posts.
Comments or questions? I’d love to hear from you! If you’ve by chance already read “The Christmas Sweater”, please leave a comment and let me know how you liked it!
If you’ve been keeping up with me here on the blog then you know why I’m slow in getting this announcement made. Smuffy’s grand remodel is all consuming and I do have to stop once in a while to clean what can be cleaned, snuggle Phoebe June, have a little melt-down and, of course, play toys, read books and sing songs with my Lil’ Snookie. He’s five months old now, sprouting teeth, rolling over and liking his grandma to be as interactive as possible. (It’s a tough job, but somebody’s gotta do it. Tee-hee!)
May’s First Friday Freebie has found a new home in the Ozarks! Let’s meet the winner –
Carol from Branson, Missouri
Carol may have had time to finish reading her free copy of “All That Matters” by Diane Yates by now! If so, please comment and treat us all to a book review.
Congratulations, Carol, and I hope you truly enjoy it!
If you’re curious about this great read, I encourage you to check out my interview with author Diane Yates here where you can also read my review of her first book, “Pathways of the Heart”. I would encourage you all to visit Diane’s website at dianeyates.com and take a look at what she as to offer. I’ve also read her novel, “Melissa’s Fate” and I know you’ll be captivated by the story in that book. Diane has a brand new novel out now called, “Impossible Fate” and you can find that on her website as well.
If you’re wondering what “All That Matters” is all about, see my original First Friday Freebie offer along with my comments here.
You can see past First Friday Freebies and their winners on my Freebies! pagehere.If you’re not yet a subscriber to Midwest Storyteller they might entice you to become one – First Friday Freebies are for email subscribers only.
Carol subscribed by entering her email in the subscription area here on the blog and then confirming her subscription when the confirmation email arrived in her inbox. This is the best way to avoid missing what’s new here on the blog because you’ll get an email reminder each time there’s something new – like when there’s a FREEBIE on the First Friday of every month.
Comment as directed on the post and you’ll be entered to win.
Freebies are my way of reaching more people with the stories, recipes and more of the stuff of life. When you share with all your friends via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, you’ll give them the opportunity to subscribe and win also. Subscribing is free. Freebies are free. It’s one of those “I win – You win – We all win” situations!
June’s drawing will take place tomorrow on Friday, June 5th.
A winner is chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight on the day of the drawing.
REMEMBER: Should your name be drawn as the winner, you will be notified via the email you used to subscribe. That means you’ll need to check your email often in the week following the drawing so that you can respond and keep the prize from being offered to someone else.
Be sure to take a moment make yourself familiar with the Freebie Rules by clicking HERE.
These four simple steps will have you ready to enter to win on Friday, June 5th, 2020.
If you’ve won one of my Freebies in the past, leave a comment today and let me know how you liked it. Did you gift it to someone special or keep it for yourself?
Much has changed in our world over the last month. Here in the United States we grapple, as so many other countries do, with shut-downs, social distancing and concerns for loved ones.
Each month, I try to offer, as a First Friday Freebie, something I think my readers would enjoy. This month, I believe I’ve found something that qualifies in three categories – a free gift for you, a book review and an opportunity for reflection.
As we enter Holy Week, my prayer is that this will be a blessing to you, no matter your faith or lack thereof.
Although it is not my blog’s “theme”, I’m sure most people have gleaned that I am a Christian. I not only enjoy, but depend upon, spending daily time in prayer and Scripture studies. Often, I read other books by Christian authors that offer extra insight into a particular area of study. Although I’ve never read a book by these authors before, I had heard rave reviews about history books they’ve collaborated on. I don’t know quite how it happened, but I stumbled across it and found myself immersed in the book I’m offering as April’s First Friday Freebie –
It just seemed that still, small Voice tugged at me, telling me that this was the perfect time of year to get a better grasp on the whole of world events surrounding the one event in human history of which it can be said, without dispute, changed everything!
“Killing Jesus” by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard had me hooked right away. The third in O’Reilly’s “Killing…” series (after “Killing Lincoln” and “Killing Kennedy”), it takes a detailed look at the life and death of Jesus purely through the lens of world history. Various sources including Roman writings and records, the detailed, first-hand historical accounts of Josephus, archaeological evidences, and other sources which provided records of the current events of the time are woven in with the historical record provided in the four Gospels to give a thorough picture of not only what happened, but what drove what happened and what it was like to live through what happened.
Despite my first instinct to find the book lacking and to have the tendency to pick it apart, I found myself educated and enthralled to comprehend the driving forces that motivated Herod, Pilate, Caesar, the Jewish hierarchy as well as Jesus’ followers. The efforts that the authors undertook to in order to convey the sights, sounds, smells, economy, political atmosphere and customs of the time and place transported me to Bethlehem, Galilee, Nazareth, Jerusalem and the other places Jesus lived, walked and taught.
This book is not preachy. In no way does it seek to validate miracles or prove the Messianic claims of Jesus or induce you to become His disciple. It merely lays out the historical events in ways that will familiarize you with the backgrounds, motives and sometimes the personal issues of all the people involved.
To discover what the records have to say about Herod’s health issues, the total depravity of the Roman rulers, the financial interests and investments that probably motivated the Temple priests more than service to God and where the kick-back from the money-changers’ tables really went was eye-opening.
“Killing Jesus” is an enthralling and easy read for anyone. Even if you are not a follower of Jesus or perhaps you’re even a card-carrying atheist, this book will, without coercion, educate you as to what all the fuss was about concerning this one Man who lived and died in this small geographical area all those years ago.
Here we are, in modern times, tuning into the news each day to find that people all over the world are not giving up on their Messiah because of pandemic and isolation, but looking for innovative and meaningful ways to recognize on Friday, April 10th that He was, indeed, condemned to death by the highest authorities within his own religion and given over to the Roman executioners to be tortured and put to death by crucifixion. They’re looking for ways to connect, as best they can, to celebrate on Sunday, April 12th, their belief that He rose from the dead and is still alive and will return.
I hope this First Friday Freebie offers you all three:
1. A free gift you’ll enjoy.
2. An honest book review.
3. An opportunity to reflect on who Jesus was, what His life and death were really like and who the people are who follow Him.
It benefits us all to understand other people groups and their faith and traditions, so, non-believers, this will help you do that.
Parents, this book would not be appropriate for anyone who is not yet ready to be exposed to the detailed horrors of crucifixion methods or the lengths Roman emperors and their cohorts went to indulge their vile imaginations, even at the expense of innocent children.
If you’d like to win this free copy of “Killing Jesus”, you’ll need to comment on this post, saying, “Send me the book right away!” You’ll need to do that now, because the deadline for entering the drawing is midnight tonight, April 3rd.
The winner will be chosen at random from those who comment as directed and this month, we will do that as quickly as possible so that I can get this book into your hands during the coming Holy Week time of reflection.
For the complete Freebie rules, please click here. Winners are notified using the email they used to subscribe, so be checking that in the coming days to see if you’ve won.
Each month, there’s a new Freebie – SUBSCRIBE so that you don’t miss out!
Why not SHARE this post through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest or send the link in an email to all your friends who might like to enter to win?
Midwest Storyteller’s previous freebies can be found on my “Freebies” page. Take a look. You’ll get an idea of the greatgifts subscribers can win!
REMEMBER: A winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight tonight by leaving a comment which says, “Send me the book right away!”
Three simple steps – Subscribe, comment as directed and check your email!
Now hurry! Go! Go! Go! Subscribe if you haven’t already, confirm and comment to enter before midnight tonight, April 3rd!
I just heard the
extended weather forecast. Cold. Snow. More
arctic air has us in its sights and it looks like March is not going to lure us
outdoors in our shirt sleeves, at least those of us who live anywhere in the
Midwest. But, then again, it just snowed
in Las Vegas, so I suppose few of us here in the U.S. will escape the
chill. We may dream of tiptoeing through
the tulips, but it’s only a dream, lest we catch cold.
That makes March the perfect time to curl up with a good book! I want to give a special thanks to Diane Yates for providing this month’s First Friday Freebie!
If you’ll remember, I recently did an interview with Diane and a review of her first book, “Pathways of the Heart”. You can catch up on that here in case you missed it. In my post, I shared about how I met Diane, how much she has helped me in my writing endeavors and my thoughts and gleanings from “Pathways of the Heart”.
Now, Diane is
graciously giving one of you the opportunity to receive this autographed copy
of “Pathways of the Heart” absolutely free!
What better way to curl up with a cup of tea (or hot chocolate) and
pretend the cold winds aren’t howling
outside?
To enter to win “Pathways
of the Heart”, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post,
saying, “I’m ready for a good read!”
You’ll need to do that before midnight TONIGHT, March 1st,
2019!
First Friday
Freebies are for email SUBSCRIBERS ONLY, so hop on over to the right sidebar or
use the menu to navigate to the “Contact” page and subscribe to
Midwest Storyteller if you haven’t done so already.
Your friends will
enjoy the stories, recipes, laughter and, of course, the FREEBIES here on the
blog, too, so share with all your friends and family through Facebook,
Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest.
Subscribers win every single month! On the “Freebies” page, you’ll be able to see what they’ve been winning.
Once again, a
winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before
midnight tonight by leaving a comment which says, “I’m ready for a good
read!”
And now, here are the complete rules:
Four simple steps!
Don’t let the day
slip away! Subscribe now if you haven’t
already, and confirm in your email before you forget!
Spring, I promise,
is on the way. It’s never failed me
yet. Well, except for maybe last year
when it came for two days and then vanished.
I’d have thrown a temper tantrum, but it was 90 degrees and so humid
that I couldn’t muster up the energy.
May our 2019 bring delightful days that, like treasured loved ones, come
early and stay late!
Comments or
questions? I’d love to hear from
you! Please leave a comment telling me
what good books you’ve read lately. I’m
curious – what is your favorite book of all time?
I find that books are like potato chips – you can’t seem to stop with just one. I feel the same way about their authors. If you’re longing to add spice to life, ask someone where the writers meet! Not every chip in the bag will suit your taste, but you’ll definitely experience a variety of flavors. I’ve savored every moment I’ve spent with author Diane Yates.
I met Diane through a series of coincidences. I believe that’s what I’ve heard it called when God chooses to remain anonymous. Smuffy happened to do some work for a friend of mine whom I hadn’t seen in years and happened to mention that I’d been writing a novel and my friend happened to mention that she had a writer friend who might be able to provide me with some good resources when it came time to publish and that friend just happened to be Diane Yates, author of “Pathways of the Heart”.
Diane’s
name didn’t ring a bell, but the captivating book title somehow did. I suppose it had already been calling to me
from bookstore shelves. Let me introduce
you to both of them.
Gracious to her core, Diane took me under her wing, listening to my ramblings and assuring me that my story was worthy of being told. Honest as well, she told me I needed to edit, edit, edit and polish, polish, polish. Little did I know what that entailed when she said it. She’s helped me more than I can express and I am grateful for it. I went home from our first meeting with a copy of her book.
“Pathways
of the Heart” is the story of Diane’s mother, Clella. For all of us, life takes twists and turns,
leading us at times into pleasant places and at others into frightening
scenarios from which we long to escape or worse – a never-ending drudgery that
leaves us feeling that it’s all for nothing.
Cella’s
story is a memoir written as a novel and it couldn’t be more real or, shall we
say, just plain human. It’s as frustrating as it is touching with
its genuine love story that keeps you hoping for the best and fearing the worst
as you walk through life with this strong-willed woman in a time when women
weren’t supposed to be.
Although
there were ways that Clella’s story didn’t mirror my own mother’s story at all, there were certain strong similarities,
including the time frame and general locale, that had me rooting for her,
nudging her forward and shedding a tear for her as if she’d been my own mom,
making it an emotional read.
I
appreciated the way in which Diane related the story just as it was, piecing
her own experiences together with accounts shared by her parents and other
family members.
The
common thread of “Pathways of the Heart” speaks to all of us that we all have hopes and dreams, we all fall far short of the ideal, we are all disappointed by those we love most
and by ourselves and we all must find
our way back to the right path.
Diane’s
careful, yet candid, re-telling of real people making real mistakes is done in
a way that makes “Pathways of the Heart” something that you can share with your
teens without concern that it might be too graphic.
All in
all, this story of a woman and her family, beginning in the Ozark hills of the
1920’s and leading you through the Great Depression, love, betrayal and on into
new locations, joys, desperation and relationships, left me wanting to know
more.
Diane is happy to oblige with the sequel, “All That Matters”, a book that takes us on a journey through the remainder of Clella’s life.
And
now, a little about Clella’s daughter, Diane:
Diane Yates is a
published author who lives in Fayette, Missouri with her husband, Rick, of
forty-seven years. She has three children and eight grandchildren.
Her first published works, “Pathways of the Heart” and its sequel, “All
That Matters” are published by W&B Publishers. Both these memoirs
serve as tributes to her mother and touch the reader with the joys, struggles,
heartbreaks and new beginnings. You can look forward to Diane’s upcoming
works of fiction. “Melissa’s Fate” is now being considered for publication
while she continues work on “My Brother’s Eyes”.
Diane is semi-retired from a career in medical clinic practice management and is a past president of Ozarks Writers League. She is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Ozarks Writers League, Columbia Writers Guild, Boonslick Creative Writers, and Clean Fiction Writers.
I asked Diane several questions so we could get to know her better.
Barb: Many things compel us as authors to write. Why do you write, Diane?
Diane: My answer to this question remains consistent no matter how many times I answer it. I write to be read. I want my readers to laugh, cry, and rally for my heroes and heroines, and when they read the words “The End” and close the cover, nothing would please me more than if the book they’d finished would inspire them to be an even better person.
Barb: Did you write stories or create characters as a child? When and how did you begin?
Diane:From the sixth grade, I wrote stories and skits that we acted out in school and the neighborhood.
Barb: Do you believe that, for you, writing is a gift or a calling? What is your source of inspiration?
Diane:Writing is both a gift and a calling for me. I pray about my work and God uses various avenues to inspire me.
Barb: Do you have other creative outlets besides writing?
Diane:I don’t draw or paint or sew. I have done crafty things, but I wouldn’t call them talented!
Barb: Do you remember the first thing you wrote “just for fun”?
Diane:In the second grade I wrote a story about my big brother. I drew a picture of him flexing his bicep, showing me how strong he was.
Barb: Why did you decide to write Clella’s story as a memoir and not fiction?
Diane: “Pathways of the Heart” is a tribute to an amazing woman, and it needed to be accurate with real names of family members. This story takes place about twelve miles from the home of an elderly Laura Ingalls Wilder where she read her stories to my siblings.
Barb: Most of this story takes place before you were born. Do you feel like you were able to tell it factually?
Diane: My mother and siblings told me all these stories over and over. They were corroborated by my aunts, uncles, and cousins. Other facts and details were verified by county records and historical societies.
Barb: How did you fairly examine both of the main characters without apparent judgment?
Diane:Mine is not to judge Kenneth or Clella. It’s easy to walk down the aisle and say “I do.” But then, life happens, and in their case, that life included the Great Depression. Their relationship is the picture of what can happen as a result of neglect. Marriage takes work. Don’t let the love you found slip away in the hustle and weariness of everyday life.
Barb: Clella’s story covers a whole lifetime! How did you choose what details to put in and what to leave out?
Diane: I didn’t exactly outline, but I did make a list of all the stories I felt needed to be included; the adventures, mishaps, tragedies, and heart-wrenching events that were pivotal to the pathways they chose.
Barb: “All That Matters” is the continuing story. Why was it not part of the first book?
Diane: I only ever intended to write Clella’s story from 1928 through 1957, which is the time era at the end of Pathways. After it released, I started hearing from readers that they wanted to know the rest of the story. I prayed and eventually decided to write “All That Matters”, which continues Clella’s story as well as my own. Both books span an era of almost a hundred years and are a testament to the strength, courage, and character of the people whose lives touched one another.
Barb: I know as soon as I closed the last page on “Pathways…”, my first thought was, “and then what happened?” How is the sequel different and how is it the same as the first?
Diane: The first book is a little bit of Little House on the Prairie meets The Bridges of Madison County. Clella’s true grit and resourcefulness help her provide for her family during difficult times. She struggles to remain faithful after being abandoned by her husband, but a chance meeting with a younger man complicates her life in ways she never imagined. It is a book of choices and speaks to the importance of marriage and family. “All That Matters” is a book about consequences. It begins amid the craze of Rock’ n’ Roll and travels through many destinations and problematic events. We all have things that are important to us, but in the end, these characters must examine the reality of what really matters.
Barb: Since then, you’ve written a novel. Tease us with the plot!
Diane:My first two books are memoir, but my passion is fiction. “Melissa’s Fate: The Untold Story” is my third work and is currently being considered for publication. When Beth, an accounting assistant, discovers that Phil Davis is actually Phil Drake, the president of the company where she works, and he is in love with someone else, she flees New York City without telling anyone she’s pregnant. Two years later, she must return and recruit his help to rescue their little girl whom she had placed for adoption. Sparks fly as Phil will not forgive Beth, but he’ll do anything to save his little girl. They must both put aside their own feelings and marry in order to win custody of Melissa. Danger lurks as they fight each other, the difference between their two worlds, and a love long denied. While Beth knows that success and wealth are measured by more than material things and money, Phil is learning that he can’t always be in control despite his position and wealth. New York City and rural Connecticut are the setting of this story. My husband and I flew into LaGuardia and visited New York before driving on to Connecticut and the covered bridge at West Cornwall. I couldn’t have picked a more idyllic setting for this book.
Barb: I love the story line! Tell us about your current work-in-progress.
Diane: I’m working on “My Brother’s Eyes”, which is set in the Minnesota Territory in the middle of the nineteenth century. Maggie and her father nurse back to health a wounded Indian brave they found in the field. Only after Maggie falls in love with the Indian brave, Nahkeetah, does she realize that their relationship is plagued by more than cultural differences. It is surrounded by danger and evil. Maggie’s father is the country doctor; Nahkeetah’s father is the chief of the Chippewa tribe. Nahkeetah is next in line to be chief. Can their love survive the prejudice of his people and a hatred that boils beneath the surface?
Barb: Ooh! Love versus hate – now that’s drama! I can tell you keep busy. Are your family/friends supportive of your writing and do they ever fear being “put in a book”?
Diane:I’ve already put my family and friends in my books! I love all of them. My husband’s support and encouragement are endless and a tremendous blessing to me.
Barb: Have you ever found yourself falling in love with or being frightened/shocked/surprised by a character you’ve created?
Diane:I love my protagonists – all of them! They are each different. Beth from “Melissa’s Fate” is down-to-earth, loves a simpler way of life, despises money and those that are driven by it, including Phil, the man she inadvertently falls in love with. Maggie, in “My Brother’s Eyes”, is gutsy, smart, willing to take on difficult tasks and face odds that are seemingly unsurpassable in the Minnesota Territory of 1857. She must fight like crazy to overcome the hate that is in her native brother’s eyes, but she will prevail because of the love she has for the son of a Chippewa tribal chief. But, the character I love most of all is my first character ever – my mother, Clella, in “Pathways of the Heart” and “All That Matters”. None of us are perfect, but in real life she was a picture to me of the Proverbs 31 woman. Also, it surprised me that when I wrote about the men in her life, Kenneth and Francis, I was able to empathize and see things from their perspective, which of course was what needed to happen.
Barb: What would you say to someone who wants to write, but either doesn’t know where to start or perhaps thinks no one would want to read what they’ve written?
Diane: It’s rare that a writer knows where to start. You just have to start. You can go back later and rearrange or revise the writing. Some people write and don’t want anyone to read it. I write to be read. Will others want to read what you write? There’s no way to know until you first write it, so get started!
Barb: So, a person says, “OK, I’ve written it – now what?” What are the first steps they should take if they want to be published?
Diane:Take your writing seriously. Join with other writers in groups to get connected and network. Let your manuscript rest and then go back and edit, edit, edit. Then, consider hiring a professional editor. It’s money well spent.
Barb: Have you ever dealt with rejection or delays with publishers and how do you handle it (or how have you learned to handle it)?
Diane:So, after all the edits, you’re ready to submit to agents or publishers. Prepare yourself for rejections. You will get them, lots of them. Everyone does. There are many reasons why your writing might be rejected and it may not mean that your writing is bad. You may have submitted to an agent that doesn’t represent the type of story you’ve written. If you’ve written a romance and that agent is having more success with mysteries, then the agent might not choose your romance at that time. Remember, publishing is about business and money; what is selling, what is not, the current trends, etc.
Barb: How do you connect with other writers? How vital is that? Would you recommend beginners join writers groups and/or attend writing conferences? Give the wannabes your best advice!
Diane:Yes, yes, yes! It is extremely vital. Whatever stage your writing is at, there is always something else to learn. Writers groups and attending conferences are a necessity, not only for education but for networking, and opportunities to meet industry professionals like literary agents and publishing editors.
Barb: You’re talking about literary agents and publishing editors. These are the people writers have to face in order to “pitch” or promote the idea of their book for publication. For most people, the very idea brings them closer to pitching their lunch than their book! Give us a glimpse of what that was like for you when you started out.
Diane:I remember the first time I pitched to an agent. He was from the William Morris Agency in New York and was the agent for a published author in a writers’ group I had joined. I was so nervous I couldn’t complete a coherent sentence! Heat rose in my face and my palms were sweating. What saved me was he had asked for ten manuscript pages to be sent to him before he arrived. According to the published author, when the agent got off the plane, he had my pages in his hand. “I want to meet this lady,” he told him. So, after my interview and me fumbling my words, he asked for my complete manuscript and told me what he liked was that I hooked him from the first paragraph.
The
second time I pitched a manuscript. I was at a writers’ conference and I had
several appointments to pitch to literary agents and publishers. I had heard
that I needed to be able to explain my book in one to two short paragraphs,
called an elevator pitch. That’s easier said than done! I hadn’t been able to
figure them out. My first appointment time arrived and I met with a publisher.
I couldn’t talk, couldn’t complete a coherent sentence, but I tried to explain
my book. My palms were sweating and my heart was pounding. He didn’t seem
interested, so I finished with, “but, it’s a really good book!” I think he felt
so sorry for me because he gave me his card and asked for the first three
chapters. That was my only interview that night. I knew before I went into the
next one tomorrow, I needed to have my elevator pitch down. I went back to my
room by myself and worked until four in the morning. I finally gave up, prayed
and told God I was leaving it to him, and went to sleep. At six o’clock I awoke
with the words flooding into my mind. I knew I needed to get up and write those
words down right then. I did and the rest of my appointments went much better
with several requests for the manuscript.
Barb: Thanks so much for giving us a glimpse into your life and your books! How can readers contact you?
Diane:I love to hear from readers. My email is Diane@DianeYates.com. They can visit my website at www.DianeYates.com and go to the contact page. I, also, welcome readers to follow me on my social media sites:
I hope you enjoyed getting to know Diane and I hope that her thoughts and experiences inspire any of you who have a story burning within you that is waiting to be told.
To purchase books by Diane Yates, simply click “BUY NOW” on her website and you’ll be taken directly to Amazon. They are also available from Barnes & Noble here.
