Story Crafters Retreat
Come with an idea...leave with a story!
How do you take your ideas and turn them into a story?
How do you know if your idea will sell?
Where do you start?
This working writing retreat, set just outside of Minneapolis during the beautiful fall season is designed for a writer who has an idea...but needs help putting it together into a plot.
Come with your idea, leave with a game plan. We'll teach you story structure, and then go step by step in the character creation and plotting process, explaining how to determine each step, and then show you how to apply it to your story.
We'll brainstorm your ideas with you, share essential secrets of storytelling, and finally, you'll take home a filled-out workbook that will act as a map as you write your novel.
For beginners to advanced writers who just want a guide along the way, the Storycrafter's Retreat will jumpstart your novel further onto the road to publication.
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Fragrance of Grace...
Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance the perfume.
Ever wonder if what you do makes a difference? If the words you say to your children or the small acts of kindness they never notice, or even the gallant efforts you make to impart great truths matter?
Yeah, me too. Because, as my children have become older, it feels more and more like my parenting is about sacrificial acts that go unnoticed, or even unappreciated. Does my son care that I ran his folder to school (on my way to the airport) after he left it at home? Or my daughter notice that I left her favorite jar of goober (peanut butter and jelly) in her stuff for camp? Or my son notice that I printed off a blog about his desired profession?
Maybe not. But I have to believe that they create a fragrance in our home of love. That my actions are not poured out to them, but actually upon the feet of the Lord, in worship, in gratitude for this rich life. That as I reach inside and give everything I have...there abounds the redolence of grace.
At least I hope so.
So, in a desperate quest to know, I sat down with my son and asked him: What do you miss when I'm gone?
He looked at me and without hesitation said:
Food.
Really, anything else?
Cookies?
And...
Pizza?
Okay, seriously...
Fine, how about popcorn?
Right, well, okay, I got the point. But, as I got up to leave he said, "Wait, Mom. I miss your wisdom, your humor and your good looks."
He was just trying to get on my good side with that last one. But it worked. I'm off to make chocolate chip cookies. Just one of the fragrances I like to leave behind.
But seriously, what fragrance do YOU leave behind? Just something to ponder as we race (or perhaps savor?) summer.
I've been traveling a lot recently - but I am home for a few weeks and enjoyed the 4th of July with my family. I'm working on a new book for a series out next winter with Steeple Hill - a three-book romantic -suspense for Steeple Hill's Love Inspired Suspense line that follows up my Mission: Russia series. This one: a mistaken identity in Cancun (and yes, I forced myself to go there for research. Sacrifices, donchyaknowit.) More on that later. But first...look for Licensed for Trouble, PJ Sugar #3 to hit the stands in August!
Thank you again for all the reader mail - and for your sweet support in the bookstores and online - you leave a fragrance of grace in my life.
Warmly,
Susan May Warren
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Licensed for Trouble!
Available on August 1st! Here's a sneak peak.
"PJ's adventures ... are hilarious and the resolution of the fast-paced mystery is thoroughly satisfying. Think of this series as a more wholesome version of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series." --Booklist
 PJ Sugar receives shocking news that she's inherited the Kellogg family mansion. Though she has no idea why, the timing is perfect-PJ has clearly worn out her welcome at her sister's house. Unfortunately, the mansion is in shambles, and PJ is short on cash. Rescue comes in the form of Max Smith, a mysterious handyman willing to trade his services for PJ's investigative skills. But PJ already has a full docket with cramming for her PI license and nurturing a growing romance with her boss, Jeremy Kane. Can she take on Max's case without dropping the ball?
And along with the blog tour will be a super "Sweet" contest and a chance to win a KINDLE loaded with the entire PJ Sugar series. Fun. Details to come.
Pre-order a copy here!
Read an Excerpt!
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