Here’s a little link that is simple, yet a fun time-waster: Line Rider. Draw a quick line, and watch the sledder take your slope for a ride. Of course, you can get some Funniest Videos like rides as well! This kept my boys and I amused for a good part of the afternoon. The boys think the sledder is a penguin; who am I to judge?
As I’ve gushed through the week, I happened to really like Scoop. If you’re up for a read with great characters, a bunch of laughs, and coffee breaks, then you need to check out this book.
If what I’ve said has intrigued you, then check out what Rene Gutteridge herself has to say. She was kind enough to conduct an email interview with me, so her answers are below!
1. Scoop is the third book you’re releasing this year, according to your website. How do you manage such production?
Carefully! And sometimes not all that well! It’s usually just two a year. I took on a special project to write the novelization of a motion picture, The Ultimate Gift, coming out in March.
2. How did you come up with the concept for the Occupational Hazards series?
It started with an idea to a series of books on undercover officers, but then I decided, why not explore other occupations, too? So I decided to create an entirely new series. It’s been fun to pick the occupations.
3. Can you give a hint on the next book in this series? It’s Mack, isn’t it?
It is! And she goes into undercover work. I’m completing the rewrites right now. It’s called Snitch. The third book, Skid, will be about transatlantic pilots and crew. I just came back from Atlanta where I spent several days researching for that novel.
4. I loved the humor in the book. I don’t always see a lot of that in the novels I read. Is there a “method to the madness” on putting humor in a book? How do you test to make sure it is, in fact, funny?
Good question! I don’t know if there is an actual method. Madness is a requirement. Comedy is very subjective, so I think that is the real challenge. To write comedy you have to be an observer of people. Comedy writers are often times the quietest people in the room because they’re constantly studying people. To test if it’s funny? Well, my standard is that if I’m not laughing, nobody else will either. My years in drama ministry really helped me cultivate my comedy writing. I would write comedy sketches and saw immediate reaction from the audience, so I learned what worked and what didn’t.
5a. Have you found it hard to switch from comedy to suspense in your writing?
It’s actually harder, for me anyway, to switch from suspense to comedy. Comedy takes way more of my brain power and concentration, and I have to be in the right frame of mind. But I do like to put a lot of humor in my suspense books too. It’s just that it doesn’t have to be on every page. However, suspense does require a lot more attention to plot.
5b. Also, some authors feel they need to stick with a “brand”. What do you think about that?
I think it’s a good idea. I think the idea is to find something that you’re good at and do it. I happen to really love writing both suspense and comedy, and my diversity most likely comes from my studies in screenwriting, where genre really isn’t as important as it is in literature. It’s difficult to build a brand while writing different genres, and if I writer wants to do that, he or she should be prepared to do a lot of extra work. Or wait until you’re a bestseller and then you can write what you want!
6. I specifically loved the part where Ray was with his Christian singles group discussing an outreach. It seemed you were able to tweak some ways the church does things without authenticity. Do you find humor is a better vehicle for bringing out these issues?
Sure! We are all better able to hear something if it’s fed to us with humor. If we can laugh at ourselves, that is when we are most likely to see, and accept, our flaws. I think humor is a powerful device, which is why I use it so much. It can bring out the truth in a much less painful way.
7. A lot of people who read the blog tour are aspiring writers. Any tips for them (besides buying all your books to study the wondrous prose)?
Ha! Well, my advice is to write as much as you can, and save up money for a big writers conference. Writers conferences are incredibly valuable. I encourage writers to do one or two. But don’t get caught up in feeling like you have to do them all the time. Most of your free time needs to be spent cultivating your craft, which means setting down all the books you’re reading on the craft and actually start writing. Finish what you start. Write one entire book before starting something else.
8. One last question: pants or plotting? (For those that don’t understand writer lingo, “pants” is someone writing “by the seat of their pants”, just winging it. Plotters carefully outline everything.)
Pants. Most definitely.
As I’ve gushed through the week, I happened to really like Scoop. If you’re up for a read with great characters, a bunch of laughs, and coffee breaks, then you need to check out this book.
If what I’ve said has intrigued you, then check out what Rene Gutteridge herself has to say. She was kind enough to conduct an email interview with me, so her answers are below!
1. Scoop is the third book you’re releasing this year, according to your website. How do you manage such production?
Carefully! And sometimes not all that well! It’s usually just two a year. I took on a special project to write the novelization of a motion picture, The Ultimate Gift, coming out in March.
2. How did you come up with the concept for the Occupational Hazards series?
It started with an idea to a series of books on undercover officers, but then I decided, why not explore other occupations, too? So I decided to create an entirely new series. It’s been fun to pick the occupations.
3. Can you give a hint on the next book in this series? It’s Mack, isn’t it?
It is! And she goes into undercover work. I’m completing the rewrites right now. It’s called Snitch. The third book, Skid, will be about transatlantic pilots and crew. I just came back from Atlanta where I spent several days researching for that novel.
4. I loved the humor in the book. I don’t always see a lot of that in the novels I read. Is there a “method to the madness” on putting humor in a book? How do you test to make sure it is, in fact, funny?
Good question! I don’t know if there is an actual method. Madness is a requirement. Comedy is very subjective, so I think that is the real challenge. To write comedy you have to be an observer of people. Comedy writers are often times the quietest people in the room because they’re constantly studying people. To test if it’s funny? Well, my standard is that if I’m not laughing, nobody else will either. My years in drama ministry really helped me cultivate my comedy writing. I would write comedy sketches and saw immediate reaction from the audience, so I learned what worked and what didn’t.
5a. Have you found it hard to switch from comedy to suspense in your writing?
It’s actually harder, for me anyway, to switch from suspense to comedy. Comedy takes way more of my brain power and concentration, and I have to be in the right frame of mind. But I do like to put a lot of humor in my suspense books too. It’s just that it doesn’t have to be on every page. However, suspense does require a lot more attention to plot.
5b. Also, some authors feel they need to stick with a “brand”. What do you think about that?
I think it’s a good idea. I think the idea is to find something that you’re good at and do it. I happen to really love writing both suspense and comedy, and my diversity most likely comes from my studies in screenwriting, where genre really isn’t as important as it is in literature. It’s difficult to build a brand while writing different genres, and if I writer wants to do that, he or she should be prepared to do a lot of extra work. Or wait until you’re a bestseller and then you can write what you want!
6. I specifically loved the part where Ray was with his Christian singles group discussing an outreach. It seemed you were able to tweak some ways the church does things without authenticity. Do you find humor is a better vehicle for bringing out these issues?
Sure! We are all better able to hear something if it’s fed to us with humor. If we can laugh at ourselves, that is when we are most likely to see, and accept, our flaws. I think humor is a powerful device, which is why I use it so much. It can bring out the truth in a much less painful way.
7. A lot of people who read the blog tour are aspiring writers. Any tips for them (besides buying all your books to study the wondrous prose)?
Ha! Well, my advice is to write as much as you can, and save up money for a big writers conference. Writers conferences are incredibly valuable. I encourage writers to do one or two. But don’t get caught up in feeling like you have to do them all the time. Most of your free time needs to be spent cultivating your craft, which means setting down all the books you’re reading on the craft and actually start writing. Finish what you start. Write one entire book before starting something else.
8. One last question: pants or plotting? (For those that don’t understand writer lingo, “pants” is someone writing “by the seat of their pants”, just winging it. Plotters carefully outline everything.)
Pants. Most definitely.
Yeah, the title is meant to get your attention! I’m continuing the blog tour on Scoop today, because I enjoyed the book so much. I want it to get its full due. If you are looking for a synopsis, yesterday’s post on it has the plot line for you. Today, I not only want to review it, but dissect it a little to look at some good writing.
This book delighted me in several ways. The blurb on the cover from Kristin Billerbeck mentioned the book making her “laugh out loud”. I can testify to the fact that this book is FUNNY. As a medical professional, watching Hugo Talley’s inner debate whether his Blue Pill was the right one for him, or if the Purple Pill would be better, was hilarious. It is a perfect example of how Rene can capture the absurdity of a situation, whether it be the preoccupation with physical perfection, how Christians have a hard time figuring out how to be “real”, or plain ol’ romance. When Ray the reporter is wondering how to turn an offer of prayer into a pickup line, the book is priceless.
The main character is Hayden Hazard, but after the first chapter, you wouldn’t know it by the point of view (POV) in the book. Except the first and last chapter, the book is written through another character’s POV. We only see Hayden when they encounter her, and we only get her external actions and speech. I thought it was very well handled how she portrayed Hayden, and had her drive the story, without having her the POV character. Many books take a break from the main POV for a chapter or so hear and there, which can serve to give a different view of the protagonist. But I’ve never seen this technique. Hayden moves through the Channel 7 News universe appearing as a secondary character, but always manages to turn the events as needed. We see Hayden’s true humility, servanthood, and conviction, without thinking she’s a fanatic (despite other characters’ thoughts to the contrary). I think a high compliment is this: Hayden is someone I’d love to meet in real life. How many books can we say that about a character?
The writing is also very tight throughout the book. I didn’t notice unnecessary scenes or dialogue. It seemed that everything added up in the end. The plot isn’t the stand-out aspect of the book in my opinion. It is an entertaining one, and keeps the reader moving toward the climax in anticipation. However, I enjoyed the journey with the characters so much, I didn’t really worry about what was happening in the plot. Don’t get me wrong – this isn’t a bad thing! It speaks of the great characterization in the book.
These are the major reasons why I enjoyed the book so much. Like I said yesterday, Scoop is the best book I’ve read so far this year. I eagerly anticipate the next book in the Occupational Hazards series. My next post for the Scoop tour will be an interview with Rene Gutteridge, so check back!
Yeah, the title is meant to get your attention! I’m continuing the blog tour on Scoop today, because I enjoyed the book so much. I want it to get its full due. If you are looking for a synopsis, yesterday’s post on it has the plot line for you. Today, I not only want to review it, but dissect it a little to look at some good writing.
This book delighted me in several ways. The blurb on the cover from Kristin Billerbeck mentioned the book making her “laugh out loud”. I can testify to the fact that this book is FUNNY. As a medical professional, watching Hugo Talley’s inner debate whether his Blue Pill was the right one for him, or if the Purple Pill would be better, was hilarious. It is a perfect example of how Rene can capture the absurdity of a situation, whether it be the preoccupation with physical perfection, how Christians have a hard time figuring out how to be “real”, or plain ol’ romance. When Ray the reporter is wondering how to turn an offer of prayer into a pickup line, the book is priceless.
The main character is Hayden Hazard, but after the first chapter, you wouldn’t know it by the point of view (POV) in the book. Except the first and last chapter, the book is written through another character’s POV. We only see Hayden when they encounter her, and we only get her external actions and speech. I thought it was very well handled how she portrayed Hayden, and had her drive the story, without having her the POV character. Many books take a break from the main POV for a chapter or so hear and there, which can serve to give a different view of the protagonist. But I’ve never seen this technique. Hayden moves through the Channel 7 News universe appearing as a secondary character, but always manages to turn the events as needed. We see Hayden’s true humility, servanthood, and conviction, without thinking she’s a fanatic (despite other characters’ thoughts to the contrary). I think a high compliment is this: Hayden is someone I’d love to meet in real life. How many books can we say that about a character?
The writing is also very tight throughout the book. I didn’t notice unnecessary scenes or dialogue. It seemed that everything added up in the end. The plot isn’t the stand-out aspect of the book in my opinion. It is an entertaining one, and keeps the reader moving toward the climax in anticipation. However, I enjoyed the journey with the characters so much, I didn’t really worry about what was happening in the plot. Don’t get me wrong – this isn’t a bad thing! It speaks of the great characterization in the book.
These are the major reasons why I enjoyed the book so much. Like I said yesterday, Scoop is the best book I’ve read so far this year. I eagerly anticipate the next book in the Occupational Hazards series. My next post for the Scoop tour will be an interview with Rene Gutteridge, so check back!
Just saw on the Calling All Nations website that there’s a live CD of the event that is now available here.
From the site:
Calling All Nations on July 15th 2006, was a truly historic gathering. The youth of the world and the young at heart were called to come and worship in the great and strategic city of Berlin. 25,000 people from more than 42 nations came.
Also, an amazing global team of worship leaders and musicians came together to serve the event. This was a unique day and the album is one you won’t want to miss.
Worship leaders include: Matt Redman, Tim Hughes, Brian Doerksen, Delirious?, Andrea & Albert Frey, Reuben Morgan, Noel Richards, Dave Bilbrough, yfriday, Broken Walls, Psalm Drummers, onehundredhours, Lothar Kosse & David Ruis. 20 outstanding tracks on this album.
I’m still waiting for the DVD, but I will be getting this as well. It was an awesome event, and would be a great addition to any worship collection. Hey, I might even being in the choir for one of Brian Doerksen’s songs! Whooo!
Just saw on the Calling All Nations website that there’s a live CD of the event that is now available here.
From the site:
Calling All Nations on July 15th 2006, was a truly historic gathering. The youth of the world and the young at heart were called to come and worship in the great and strategic city of Berlin. 25,000 people from more than 42 nations came.
Also, an amazing global team of worship leaders and musicians came together to serve the event. This was a unique day and the album is one you won’t want to miss.
Worship leaders include: Matt Redman, Tim Hughes, Brian Doerksen, Delirious?, Andrea & Albert Frey, Reuben Morgan, Noel Richards, Dave Bilbrough, yfriday, Broken Walls, Psalm Drummers, onehundredhours, Lothar Kosse & David Ruis. 20 outstanding tracks on this album.
I’m still waiting for the DVD, but I will be getting this as well. It was an awesome event, and would be a great addition to any worship collection. Hey, I might even being in the choir for one of Brian Doerksen’s songs! Whooo!
In looking back, I’ve been part of the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance since June. I’ve read a number of great books so far, and I’ve read extra novels seeing as I still have extra time on my hands.
This week, the blog tour is highlighting the book I consider the best one I’ve read so far this year.
Scoop is written by Rene Gutteridge. She’s written numerous other books, including suspense and the “Boo” series. I was given a choice of a few books to read, and Scoop seemed quite intriguing just from its back cover blurb and the very favorable review from Publisher’s Weekly listed on her Amazon link.
I was NOT disappointed.
Scoop is the first of a new series: The Occupational Hazards. This family of seven kids was homeschooled by their parents while participating in the family clown company. Until the tragic hot-tubbing accident that claimed the parents. Now the Hazards are out of the clown business, trying to find their own way in the world with God’s help.
Channel 7 News is also trying to find its way. From a pill-popping executive producer to the conscience-stricken reporter to the sagging (literally) long-time female anchor, Channel 7 languishes at the bottom of the news ratings. Sweeps week is approaching, and producer Hugo Talley is trying to keep the whole thing from falling apart.
He finds this isn’t easy to do with a sneak attack on a reporter, a Botox accident, and a disappearing colleague. He’s not even sure how to deal with his temp administrative assistant, a pleasant and lovely young lady who has a habit of being totally honest and of praying at really crazy times. Can Hayden Hazard help bring a little peace to the chaos that is Channel 7?
I’m going to save my review for tomorrow. Be sure to check back for my detailed look on why Scoop is my Favorite Book of 2006!
In looking back, I’ve been part of the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance since June. I’ve read a number of great books so far, and I’ve read extra novels seeing as I still have extra time on my hands.
This week, the blog tour is highlighting the book I consider the best one I’ve read so far this year.
Scoop is written by Rene Gutteridge. She’s written numerous other books, including suspense and the “Boo” series. I was given a choice of a few books to read, and Scoop seemed quite intriguing just from its back cover blurb and the very favorable review from Publisher’s Weekly listed on her Amazon link.
I was NOT disappointed.
Scoop is the first of a new series: The Occupational Hazards. This family of seven kids was homeschooled by their parents while participating in the family clown company. Until the tragic hot-tubbing accident that claimed the parents. Now the Hazards are out of the clown business, trying to find their own way in the world with God’s help.
Channel 7 News is also trying to find its way. From a pill-popping executive producer to the conscience-stricken reporter to the sagging (literally) long-time female anchor, Channel 7 languishes at the bottom of the news ratings. Sweeps week is approaching, and producer Hugo Talley is trying to keep the whole thing from falling apart.
He finds this isn’t easy to do with a sneak attack on a reporter, a Botox accident, and a disappearing colleague. He’s not even sure how to deal with his temp administrative assistant, a pleasant and lovely young lady who has a habit of being totally honest and of praying at really crazy times. Can Hayden Hazard help bring a little peace to the chaos that is Channel 7?
I’m going to save my review for tomorrow. Be sure to check back for my detailed look on why Scoop is my Favorite Book of 2006!
November 13-15 is the monthly Christian Sci-fi and fantasy blog tour. This month the highlight is R. K. Mortenson’s latest book, Landon Snow and the Island of Arcanum.
I’ve had the pleasure to get to “know” Randy through the Faith in Fiction discussion boards. It’s not like we’ve had a lot of chat time on-line, but reading someone’s “behind the scenes” posts I think gives a little insight into them. His Landon Snow series is on its third book now.
Unfortunately, I don’t have a lot to share about it at them moment. I just received my copy of the book yesterday, so I can’t really tell you about it.
However, I can point out that it is also on the docket for the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance in a few weeks (the OTHER blog tour group I belong to), so I will have more for you at that time.
Also, you have my fellow tour-mates to give more information this week. I’d like to point out specifically: Mirtika Schultz , Sherrie Hibbs, and Rebecca LuElla Miller, all who have specific discussions of the Island of Arcanum and can enlighten you further. I plan on checking out others in the links below, and I encourage y’all to do the same!
Jim Black
Jackie Castle
Valerie Comer
Frank Creed
Gene Curtis
Chris Deanne
Janey DeMeo
April Erwin
Beth Goddard
Todd Michael Greene
Leathel Grody
Karen Hancock
Katie Hart
Sharon Hinck
Joleen Howell
Karen and at Karen¹s myspace
Oliver King
Tina Kulesa
Lost Genre Guild
Kevin Lucia
Rachel Marks
Shannon McNear
Caleb Newell
John Otte
Cheryl Russel
Hannah Sandvig
Stuart Stockton
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Chris Walley
Daniel I. Weaver