Endings and Beginnings

Line Upon Line, the book store where I worked for fifteen years, is closing its doors forever in February. I worked at this store from its very early beginnings when it was located in the attic of a garage contractor, then moved with it to an actual store that was so tiny you could see all the stock from the phone. If someone called to see if you had something, you didn't have to leave the desk! Then we moved to an old house. We thought it was absolutely charming with its fireplace and warped old floors--and so did the mice and other varmints. Since the owner couldn't bear to hurt the little darlings and they wouldn't leave, eventually we moved out instead. We had more space and a great new location-we had arrived! Independent religious bookstores have never made their owners a lot of money, but LUL had owners (several of them) willing to sacrifice profits for the chance to serve their loyal customers. Until, they couldn't do it anymore... Alas, these days, small independent brick and mortar bookstores are closing their doors left and right. It's sad in a way--I love meandering through off-the-beaten-path bookstores and finding the perfect book, like a shiny treasure. However, the old adage, whenever God closes a door, he opens a window, is true in this case too. LUL filled a special place in the market and now those products are available online for those who want to let their fingers do the wandering. Still, nothing will quite replace the feeling of enlightenment that browsing in Line Upon Line Bookstore offered, with its wide selection of religious books, clean fiction, art, and accessories--not to mention the chance to meet and greet old and new friends. Some of the best people in the world worked and shopped at LUL. I will miss them as well. It's a mixed blessing that I quit a year ago to pursue my goal of writing books, rather than selling them. Without LUL, I'm not sure I would have been brave enough to chase that dream. It's there that I found the perfect publisher for the kind of general market young adult fiction that I write. LUL stayed open long enough to launch my career with a lovely signing party when REFUGE came out, something for which I'll be forever grateful! Part of me is a little sad though, that I missed the day-to-day journey of their last year of operation. All the owners from the beginning until now, and all my favorite fellow employees and customers--you know who you are--thanks for the memories! They are sweet. And who knows, maybe there will be a book about it someday!

Finding Refuge

In the first book of the Dark Light Dance Trilogy, REFUGE, the main characters meet and fall in love at a wildlife Refuge. Hence the name of the book has a double meaning—the place they meet, and the feeling of security they have when they're together. But the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is also a place each of them goes to retreat from the world. Laney has just lost her parents and little brother. She goes out to the Refuge to walk. It is a private place, away from kind but curious eyes, where she can commune with nature, enjoy the wildlife, and come to terms with her loss. In its quiet beauty, she hopes to find courage to begin again. Gabe goes to the Refuge to paint. He finds pleasure in capturing the images of wild creatures he sees in his sketchbook, later to turn them into beautiful art. This process of creating helps him forget the tragedies in his young life and the uncertain future he faces. Just like Gabe and Laney, we all need to find places of refuge in our life. No matter how good our life is—how full and busy—sometimes we may need to retreat from even our blessings, especially if they’re small people! Our refuge can be as simple as sitting in a porch swing with the scriptures or a good book (my favorite!) Or sometimes we need to get clean away and visit a new place (or a beloved familiar one), in order to restore our equilibrium. Many of my friends take refuge in running or walking. That devoted time fuels their creativity while it tones their bodies. Your refuge can be a place, an activity, or both. This year, if you don’t have one, find your refuge. Let it fuel your creativity, give you peace, and restore your soul.

Thanks Jenny Holt (a.k.a. Leigh Statham) for inviting me to be part of the The Next Big Thing Blog Hop. Thanks also for being patient while I met deadlines and celebrated the holidays :) Yes, I would LOVE to discuss my work-in-progress! Here are the answers to the tantalizing questions you sent me... Q1: What is the working title? The title is UNITY. It is the second installment in the Dark Light Dance trilogy. Just like the first book, REFUGE, the title has a double meaning. (Chords of anticipatory music here...) Q2: Where did the idea for the book come from? Since it's the continuation of the series, I'll tell you where the idea for REFUGE came from. I heard about the movement to save the practically extinct red wolf here in North Carolina. My husband and I went to see what it was all about, visiting the Alligator River Wildlife Refuge. Although we didn't see the wolves that day--we did hear them howl--the atmosphere was rich with story material. A girl loves wolves, wants to save them, meets a boy with a mysterious secret...VOILA, the book is born! Q3: What genre is your book? It is young adult fantasy/romance. Q4:Which actors would play your character in the movie rendition? Sighs...wouldn't that be lovely? I think Liam Hemsworth (Gale/Hunger Games) would be awesome for Gabe, and Anne Sophia Robb (Soul Surfer/Bridge to Terabithia) for Laney. I am not technically adept enough to figure out to wrestle the pics from IMDB and paste them here : ) Q5: What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? Tricky, since it's a number 2...Hmmm. Okay: Finally reunited after Gabe is cleared of murder, Laney looks forward to a peaceful, happy senior year, but Gabe's secret comes back to haunt them, and this time it is Laney's life that is in danger. Q6: Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? It will be published by Cedar Fort/ Sweetwater Books imprint. Q7: How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? Off and on, about a year. I worked on other projects between drafts. Q8: What other books would you compare this story to, within your genre? I don't think there's anything quite like it out there :) Q9: Who or what inspired you to write this book? Without giving too much away, there was a certain subplot in Harry Potter that inspired this story. I took that, gave it a contemporary southern twist, and there you have it... Q10: What else about your book might pique the readers’ interest? If you like sweet romances with a paranormal twist, you will like the Dark Light Dance Trilogy. Thanks so much Jenny/Leigh for inviting me. I am officially tagging Heather Macbeth. http://benheatherandlily.blogspot.com/