Kathryn's Country

2011 - One Word

2011-02-11T20:45:00.002-06:00

I listen to K-LOVE Positive Radio whenever I’m driving.

In January the two main radio hosts, Lisa and Eric, spoke about yearly goals and New Year resolutions and (unfortunately) how difficult they are to keep. Change is difficult. Not impossible, but it requires strong commitment.

So instead of making a list of New Year resolutions, they asked people to consider having one word for the year. Eric’s word was DEEPER. He wanted a deeper relationship with his wife, a deeper walk with God. In contrast, Lisa said her word was SHALLOWER, as she tended to go overboard on everything in life—doing too much, never saying no…

So it made me think about what my one word would be.

My life has been filled to the brim with so much busy-ness lately that I feel I am getting very little accomplished. I make sure there is food in the fridge, the house is clean (to a point), and there are clean clothes for everyone to wear, but I want so much more than that. So, after careful deliberation, I have decided my one word for this year is: SIMPLIFY.

To start, I’m going through things I’ve had for years and never used—old clothes, old books, old music, and cleaning them out. I’ve heard it said that your possessions own you. Well—I’m not going to give them a chance! I’ll admit I have several things that I will never get rid of because they have deep meaning to me, but there are other things that can go—and will go.

So now I’m curious. What is your one word for 2011?

Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

2011-01-28T21:37:00.004-06:00

Just finished reading...

Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

Very enjoyable book about a strong woman in desperate times and how it affected her entire life. Fascinating look at the interplay between her and her two daughters.

View all my reviews

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T21:22:00.004-06:00

And thank you readers! Through your support of Texas Wedding for their Baby's Sake I was able to donate a percentage of the sales totalling $1212.00 to the March of Dimes to further their work in the prevention of preterm births! You are awesome!

Here's to a wonderful New Year to you all!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-19T09:31:00.007-06:00

I’m in the process of intense revisions on my current manuscript, but wanted to pop up for air and wish my readers and friends a wonderful Christmas season. I believe I received my very own Christmas gift last evening when my table was full once again with my husband, my sons and my grandson and the quips and jokes and laughter filled the room. Later, as I tucked my grandson into bed he said: “I am so happy. I love my family.” And he gave me a hug. I could hear the contentment in his voice.

Nothing commercial could compare with that.

Oh, that children the world over could experience the same satisfaction this season.

So as you prepare for December 25^th and celebrating Jesus’ birth, my wish for you is that He fill your hearts and lives with his peace, his hope, and his love.

Author One Sheets

2010-09-12T01:00:00.001-05:00

Over the past few years the publishing industry has been going through growing pains as it is “morphing” into a new version of itself. At the Romance Writer’s National Conference in Orlando that I attended, almost every workshop had something to do with the changing industry and the role of the internet.

More and more editors and agents want to see email queries and proposals as they do their part in going “green.” Authors are expected to have a web site and promote their books through activity on blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads...and a host of other sites. And the ebook is no longer a stepchild of the industry, but a serious, viable alternative to printed books.

As I gear up to go to the ACFW Conference, along with the clothes, business cards, and laptop, one of the things I will be taking along that I have not used in the past is a One Sheet. As I speak to editors and agents, a One Sheet is something I can hand out that will jog their memories of my pitch and of me. It is also something they can jot notes on of our conversation if they choose.

So just what exactly is a One Sheet?

It’s a condensed, comprehensive sales pitch — and there are two types for authors.
1. Author One Sheet – promotes yourself and your services (author, speaker, teacher)
2. Book One Sheet – promotes your book (s)

Things to include on both are:

· Genre – is it contemporary, historical, fantasy, speculative, non-fiction?

· Word count

· Contact information – including website and blogs

· Short biography of yourself

· Photo

For the Author One Sheet, include a short synopsis of your book (25 to 30 words.) And then include other services you provide. For example: online teaching, speaking at conferences or writing workshops.

For a Book One Sheet, include the short synopsis and then also a longer version that goes into more detail. With fiction, you would want to note the important plot points. For non-fiction, you would want to point out the topics. You can also include the target audience and how you intend to market this book.

Make your One Sheet as professional looking as you can. This means white, 8 ½ x 11 inch, paper. Use different fonts minimally to attract attention to the main areas, but stick to standard Times New Roman, 12 point for the main body. Keep things clean and concise.

One Sheets can be used for other business ventures as well. A quick search of One Sheets on-line will put a plethora of examples at your fingertips.

Great opportunity for new writers!

2010-08-29T16:19:00.008-05:00

The New Voices competition at Mills and Boon will soon be getting underway. It all starts September 6, 2010. This is an opportunity for unpublished writers to have their work "out there" and read. The prize for the winner is publication! For those not quite ready to send in their own manuscripts, there is the opportunity to see what others are writing and vote for your own favorite entries.

Check out the requirements at http://romanceisnotdead.com

Manuscript finished!

2010-08-21T21:47:00.008-05:00

I'm finally coming up for air after finishing my fourth manuscript. Caleb's story just wanted to go its own way ~ and with not nearly enough horses for my enjoyment. Anyway, finally got the thing wrestled into shape and off to my editor. Thanks for all the title suggestions Jackie, Joy, and Jean...is there a pattern here? The J's have it!

It was a fun contest on my part. If I ever try a title contest again, I may have to give a few more hints. I had fun reading over the entries.

Here are the top ten in no particular order:

Coronado Treasure
Beautiful City by the Bay
California Treasures
All That Glitters
The Presidio At Dawn
Ramona's Parlor
California Mission Done Right (okay I admit this one made me giggle)
The River Valley to the Sea
Fools Gold

And the winner is ~ drumroll ~ Jean M. is the winner with her title entry Her California Man. She'll get an advanced copy of the book along with a $20 gift card to Borders. Congratulations Jean!

Old Town ~ Where San Diego really began!

2010-06-12T02:00:00.000-05:00

The book I'm currently working on takes place in 1888. Although much of it takes place in New San Diego, there are still parts that take place in Old Town.

Here, the San Diego River coursed by on its way to empty into the harbor where tall sails from sailing ships pierced the sky. Here, one main plaza and street bisected the small town of low red-tiled roofs and adobe buildings. A few stunted trees fought to survive in the dusty yards. A newspaper office, cantina, school house, Wells Fargo & Company, a Catholic church—built with wood transported down from the mountains or brought by boat from northern California.

It always helps me to visit the place that I'm writing about--catching the scent of the ocean breeze and the sagebrush, the warmth of the February sun against the cool shade, and the cry of the gulls--helps to infuse my writing with authenticity.

Old Town is one of my favorite places to go in San Diego. The scent of spicy Mexican food hovers in the air at meal-times which makes it nearly impossible not to purchase a churro or burritos. I can just hear the stomp of a bored burro as it waits for its owner tied outside the Colorado House, or hear a busy mother taking a moment to yell down the street after her children "Cuidado!" (Be Careful!)

It's difficult to imagine such an inauspicious beginning to a city that now sparkles like a jewel with its skyscrapers, pristine beaches, and miles of highway.

Do you live near a historic district? One that sparks your imagination of what it must have been like hundreds of years ago? If you could, would you want to time travel back to that time?

The March...

2010-05-03T21:27:00.006-05:00

The March of Dimes walk was a huge success! Thanks to all who helped me meet my goal! Here's a picture of me and my friends--the nurses I work with at the hospital. We had blue skies, a cool wind, and took the path along the river. There were many other teams from the area. A great turn-out for a great cause!

March of Dimes ~ March for Babies ~ May 2, 2010

2010-04-21T16:46:00.002-05:00

I've mentioned before that I have a soft spot for premature babies. 25 % of the profits from my book Texas Wedding for their Baby's Sake is going to the March of Dimes. I'm excited to be walking this year with a great group of nurses from Labor & Delivery!

Miniatures for Inspiration

2010-04-17T22:35:00.020-05:00

Recently I had the good fortune to help with a miniature show in my hometown and came away just wishing I had the time to craft a miniature version of each of the three books I've had published. I could just envision the lighthouse and cliffs of The Angel and the Outlaw and the windswopt plains of Texas with The Rebel and the Lady. But then--I'd be busy playing with miniatures instead of writing!

The women and men that work with miniatures o to great lengths to create scenes that are historically accurate--with the furniture, rugs, and picutres of the era, unless of course, they are creating a fanciful scene such as mermaids in Atlantis. Here is a picture of the inside of the house of the Seven Dwarves from the Disney movie Snow White.

And Merlins Lair...complete with a suit of armour and a crystal ball.
How does this relate to writing? Well, by seeing a visual of the world I am writing about, I start thinking up more scenes and ideas. So I guess you could say it stimulates me creatively.

The majority of miniaturists work with 1-inch scale which means 1 inch equals one foot in real life. A very few work with 1/2-inch scale. The two houses below are Debbie Young's collection. She works with 1/4-inch scale where 1/4 inch equals a foot in real life.

Herta Forster grew up in Darmstadt Germany to a family of artists. In 1944 her parent's house was bombed by the Allies. After moving to the United States, she lovingly built a miniature replica of the home she left behind, complete with the furniture as she remembered it.

Since I write westerns, the last two pictures are of a western dance hall (AKA saloon.) This was complete with a large bar and a dance hall girl. Oh-la-la!

What type of things stimulate you creatively? Knitting? Painting? Gardening?

Overcoming Writer's Block

2010-03-12T08:52:00.000-06:00

"A psychological condition in which a writer, esp. a professional writer, is unable to produce material, usually of a literary or creative kind."
www.yourdictionary.com/writer-s-block

A quick search the internet will find many reasons and opinions for writer’s block and ten times as many suggestions on how to overcome it. I'm not going to go into all of them--but simply pass on what works for me.

I think the main reason I have bouts of writer’s block, is because what I imagine in my head is so much grander then how it comes out on paper. My internal editor is working over time, constantly telling me that a phrase or scene is “not good enough” until my creative juices slow down and become mired in thick sludge.

"If I waited for perfection, I would never write a word." (Margaret Atwood)

Some cures that work for me:

* Establish a routine.

I write best in the morning, before the world has a chance to pull me away from my desk with appointments and family commitments.

* Allow yourself to write badly.

My internal editor is always working overtime, but I’ve tried free writing, poetry, taking my characters out to lunch—all as ways to circumvent the blank page.

* Change your routine.

Okay, I know this is opposite of the first suggestion but it really works for me. If I do something physical instead of sitting at my desk and worrying about that blank page, my thoughts tend to “unblock.” Also, I am a “plotter” who uses a storyboard and an outline for each book. If I’m stuck, often diving in and writing anything by the “seat of my pants” gets me started again.

"You don't start out writing good stuff. You start out writing crap and thinking it's good stuff, and then gradually you get better at it. That's why I say one of the most valuable traits is persistence." (Octavia Butler)

What tricks of the trade do you use to overcome writer’s block? Or are you one of the few that isn't challenged by its existence?

Winner of my Sweet Kisses Contest!

2010-02-17T21:45:00.008-06:00

Diane L of Virginia, Minnesota is the winner of my Sweet Kisses Contest at the Fresh Fiction website! Diane ~ I hope you enjoy your autographed copy of Texas Wedding for their Baby's Sake and the Border's Gift Card. Congratulations!

History as World Building

2010-02-12T20:19:00.008-06:00

One of the things I enjoy most about writing historical romances is intertwining real history with the story I’m creating between the two protagonists. I am often inspired by true happenings of the past—some well-known and some not so well-known. I believe this lends authenticity to the setting and it also adds depth to the plot.

My debut novel, The Angel and the Outlaw, took place in 1873 in what is now San Diego. In it, I had references to Marston’s Store, Old Town (the city’s humble beginnings,) the whaling station at Ballast Point, and the lighthouse. My current story is set in the San Diego of 1888. The influx of emigrants and land speculators changed the town from a sleepy border town with a distinctly Mexican flavor to more of a “wild west” town.

During the 1880’s, the town’s real estate boom and the plans for the Santa Fe Railroad attracted many colorful characters. Wyatt Earp was one such character, arriving with his third wife, Josie, five years after his famous gunfight with the Clanton gang at the OK Corral in Tucson. Thirty-seven year old Wyatt ran and/or leased four gambling halls in the city, speculated on land, and officiated at boxing matches. When he won a trotter in a card game, he took an interest in horse racing at the nearby track just north of town.

At his saloons, men played faro, blackjack, poker and keno. It is said, Wyatt could count on profits of as much as $1,000 per night during the years just before San Diego’s real estate bust. A few of his saloons were located in the red light district known to locals as the Stingaree. Here bars, bordellos and opium dens saturated the landscape. It was said that a man could get stung as badly in the Stingaree as he could in the waters of the nearby bay (by the stingray fish.)

Wyatt Earp's San Diego Saloon and Gambling Hall

It is details such as these that I enjoy including as I write my romances. Rather than have what has been called a “wall-paper” historical romance, I prefer to have a story where real history dictated some of the plot. I feel it adds that “something extra” that “something authentic” to the story. How much history an author chooses to include is determined by the line she is writing for, the type of story she is writing (for example a "disaster plot" like the Titanic) and also her own writer’s voice.
Any thoughts?

A Little Less of Me!

2010-01-27T20:19:00.003-06:00

If my Wii avatar is any indication, this writer's life of sitting in front of a computer is starting to take a toll on my hips. I hit the # of pounds I told myself I would NEVER hit on January 1st. So, as uncreative as it may be, my New Year's Resolution is to lose some weight. Actually, LOTS of weight. Seriously! No more night-time Haagan-daz!

Having been inundated with the ads with Valerie Bertinelli and Maria Osmond and their before and after photos (Bravo gals!) I looked for something to hold myself more accountable. My sister-in-law and several good friends have had tremendous success with Weight Watchers, so last week I searched out a meeting and joined!

WOW!

Talk about a fun group of energized women (and one man) already traveling the road to better health. Our facilitator/leader is an amazing woman who has lost fifty pounds and looks absolutely terrific. What a great inspiration to the rest of us.

So far, I've only changed a couple habits and stuck to foods I know, just limiting the quantities. However I did try one recipe ~ a turkey burger with all kinds of spices. (I can see I'm going to have to clean out and restock my spice cabinet!)

At my first weigh-in I'd lost 3 pounds! And I really hadn't starved at all--just made better food choices and kept track of what I ate. I was just amazed. I get the feeling this is the start of a very exciting change. I'm hoping there's a new svelte me inside just waiting to burst out.

December Winner !

2010-01-02T16:36:00.006-06:00

The winner of my December Contest is Kelly M of Mississippi! Congratulations Kelly! Watch in your mail for a copy of Texas Wedding for their Baby's Sake and a Border's Gift Card.

Thanks to everyone who entered! It is fun for me to see posts from readers all over the world. At the holiday season, even more so because many send personal notes and well wishes for the New Year!

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T12:32:00.005-06:00

A quick trip home for the holidays is over today. ("Home" being San Diego with my parents.) It was a wonderful visit--short but oh so sweet. I feel blessed to have both my mom and dad in my life.

On New Years Day, I take stock of what I accomplished (and didn't accomplish) over the past year and re-commit myself to new goals for the future. I'm a compulsive list-maker and goal-setter (a fact my husband commented on when I returned from my trip and pulled out paper and pen while we were seated at a restaurant.)

I have a list on the books I want to read -- my TBRL (To Be Read List), a list on writing deadlines, a list on groceries (of course with three hungry sons!), and a list...well, you get the picture. All in all, these lists represent hopes and dreams for the future and practical ways of reaching them.

I hope you, where ever you are on life's journey, have dreams for this coming year. And I hope you realize them. Happy New Year!

"A man's heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9

Harlequin Holiday Party Open House~ Happening Today!

2009-12-16T12:20:00.005-06:00

Season's Greetings! Are you ready for Christmas? Stop by Harlequin's Holiday Party Open House to warm yourself by the Yule Log or to partake of a cup of Wassail.

At the moment the cowboys are tending to their horses in the stable and not very cooperative about coming in among the Lords and Ladies, but when they do, I'm sure they'll make a statement western style.

September Contest Winner!

2009-10-03T13:30:00.004-05:00

Congratulations to Virginia C of Virginia!

Virginia's name was drawn from the entries in my September Contest. She wins an autographed copy of my new release Texas Wedding for their Baby's Sake and a $25 Borders Gift Card!

For those of you who didn't win, check my website often. I hold contests throughout the year!

Announcing August Winners!

2009-09-02T01:00:00.000-05:00

The results are in!
The winners to my August website contest are:
Sara W. and Cynthya P.
They entered and won an autographed copy of
Texas Wedding for their Baby's Sake
along with a $15 Borders Gift Card.
Congratulations!

See "Latest News" Page on my website for details of my September Contest!

Today is Release Day!

2009-09-01T09:32:00.012-05:00

Texas Wedding for their Baby's Sake is officially released!

For those of you who know me, you know my life has been dedicated to working with women who have high risk pregnancies and particularly in preventing premature births. I also have one very special little lady in my life that was born too soon and survived the odds.

With this story about an unborn baby, I want to continue this fight, and so I will donate 25% of my profits from the sale of this book to the

March of Dimes Foundation

Here's to you Barb P and Kylie G and the light you shine on this!

The Great Western Round-up!

2009-08-20T22:25:00.008-05:00

This week three ladies who love western romances, Sybil, Wendy, and Kristie, are challenging readers out there who have never read one or who did read one at one time and never tried another to give a western a try! They’ve listed their top reads in the genre. Stop by and see if you agree, disagree or can add to their choices…

Wendy – The Misadventures of Super Librarian … http://super_librarian.blogspot.com/
Sybil – The Good, the Bad, and the Unread … http://goodbadandunread.com/
Kristie – Ramblings On Romance… http://kristiej.blogspot.com/

I must admit, I haven‘t read many of the authors they admire. But now I have so many new books to check out! And I’m looking forward to it!
TTFN

RWA 2009 Conference

2009-07-03T14:10:00.004-05:00

I'll be attending the annual conference in Washington DC.

Romance Writers of America 2009 Conference
Wednesday, July 15, 5:30 PM
Marriott Wardman Park Hotel
2660 Woodley Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008

The annual conference is always exciting and a bit overwhelming for me, but I love to catch up with other writers I haven't seen in awhile and also get the newest autographed books from my favorite authors. If you are there and see me--please say hello!

New Cover!

2009-06-10T10:31:00.002-05:00

Harlequin has done it again! I just received the cover for my next book and couldn't be happier! The art department has captured the essence of my characters.

Come Blog with me!

2009-06-03T14:46:00.007-05:00

June 10th I'll be blogging with TJ Bennet on her writer's blog~ IMHO (In My Humble Opinion.) T.J. is a fellow 2005 Golden Heart finalist and also a historical romance writer published by Medallion so we have a lot in common.

She has a great line up of writers for the month of June, all talking about weddings and romance, starting today with Deeanne Gist. T.J. is also giving away a terrific basket of goodies. Hope you'll stop by and comment!

Just go to http://tjbsopinion.blogspot.com/

Coming Soon!

2009-05-10T23:26:00.002-05:00

Texas Wedding for their Baby’s Sake , the sequel to The Rebel and the Lady, will be released September 1, 2009. This is Brandon’s story.

I came to care about this hard-headed southerner while I wrote his story—and the equally stubborn woman who loved him. It's rather strange how fictional characters can become so real--like good friends I'd enjoy meeting in the flesh.

No cover art as yet, but I’m sure Harlequin Enterprises Ltd. will surprise and delight me. Excerpt coming soon.

Easter Greetings!

2009-04-12T01:00:00.000-05:00

I write about love, relationships and “happily ever after” even if at times it can be bittersweet. My stories are heart-felt, but ultimately still fiction.

On the Christian calendar today it’s Easter—a day that many people will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ ~ the One who came to give us the most ultimate “Happily Ever After.” His story, his act of love is not fiction.

Happy Easter!
Kathryn

www.KathrynAlbright.com

March Contest Winner

2009-04-05T16:29:00.003-05:00

Virginia is the winner of my March Contest! I'll send you an autographed book ASAP Virginia. Congratulations!

I'm busy today doing copy edits for Texas Wedding for their Baby's Sake ~ my next Harlequin release~ and wishing spring would be a little quicker about coming. It's gray and drizzly today--perfect for reading or writing .

Just heard that The Rebel and the Lady is a finalist for The Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence. Wish it luck!

On Mothering Sunday

2009-03-08T17:05:00.015-05:00

When I learned that my debut book, The Angel and the Outlaw, was chosen to be released in the UK combined with Sarah Mallory's More Than a Governess as a way to introduce my writing to the readers there by Mills and Boon, I was thrilled.

The title, however, stumped me. On Mothering Sunday--what was that all about? So of course, I googled it. And came to the quick realization that I was culturally illiterate in this case.

The difference between Mother's Day in the USA and Mothering Sunday in the UK might not be so different now-a-days, but four hundred years ago there was a very poignant difference. Children as young as ten years old, who'd had to leave home to work as maids and apprentices, were for one day of the year released to return home to their mothers.

How different things are now. I cannot imagine going an entire year without seeing my children or my parents! I am so thankful for cars and airplanes and the time to be able to visit with them.

This year, Mothering Sunday will be celebrated on March 22nd in the UK.

There are other traditions surrounding Mothering Sunday. I'm blogging on them at Seduced by History tomorrow - March 12th. Leave a comment here or there and I'll enter you in a drawing for an autographed copy of my first international book!

January Winner--Fresh Fiction Contest

2009-02-03T14:46:00.003-06:00

Angie M. has won my Fresh Fiction contest for the month of January! She gets an autographed copy of my current book, The Rebel and the Lady, and also a Borders Gift Card.

Angie--Hope you enjoy!

Picking up Speed

2009-01-30T22:29:00.006-06:00

I've tweaked a few more things here. Still going slowly, but enjoying the journey. I'm sure any highschool student could leave me in the dust with their expertise at graphic design and computers.

The quote I added speaks to me on so many levels. My mother has been a doll restoration artist since I was young. I teased her once as a teenager that she "never grew up" because she still played with dolls. In my infinite adolescent wisdom I thought it was better to live in the "real world." Well, years later I now realize her dolls have given her immeasurable enjoyment in the same way that reading good stories did for me. She gets to spend her time doing what she loves. And now I am coming full circle because I get to write the stories! How cool is that?

2009-01-14T17:02:00.008-06:00

Hello!

Welcome to my Blog. I'm just getting started so please bear with me while I learn the ins and outs of this process. Looks like fun!

Stop back often and see how I'm doing (that's a scary thought! Hope I get the hang of it.)

Oh--and Happy New Year!

Kathryn