Watch Over Me Editorial Feedback is in…
…and it was a whole lot more painless than I expected!
Praise God for editors. Really. I remember feeling a bit defensive and protective of Home Another Way, and had to pray for a teachable spirit. But writing Watch Over Me has been a humbling experience. When I sent it in, I told my editor I’d do anything to make it work for Bethany House. Fortunately, everyone thinks its a good story and still likes my writing style. Plus, I was given some great ideas on how to “unstick” several places I knew weren’t working – I even knew why they weren’t working – but couldn’t see a way to fix them.
My biggest quandary is what to do about the tense. Watch Over Me, currently, is written in extremely close third person present tense. While the editorial staff feels like it works, they have also cautioned me that it’s not an often used style, and some readers could be put off by the unfamiliarity. Hmmm. I wasn’t all that concerned until several people on the American Christian Fiction Writers loop wrote that, if they pick up a book in the present tense, they automatically put it back on the shelf. I certainly don’t want that. My editor recommended – and I had already planned on – rewriting the first three chapters in past tense, and then comparing the two versions.
The idea of rewriting the entire manuscript from one tense to another is daunting, to say the least. It’s not simply a matter of throwing “ed” on the end of a word. I choose my words not just for meaning, but for sound, for cadence. Changing a soft “s” ending to a hard “ed” ending can alter the entire feel of a sentence. And for words that require more than an “ed” – well, changing vowel sounds presents a whole other set of challenges. I’m hoping, after I compare the rewritten chapters to the original, the answer will be clear.
What do you think? Will you read a book in the present tense?
Five Book Releases I’m Waiting For
When I was a teen, I bought books all the time, five a week, sometimes more. I had an extensive library and nothing better to do with my baby-sitting money, since I was not into clothes or makeup, or even music (I thought it a waste to buy a whole CD when I only liked one or two songs on it). Even as a twenty-something, I purchased all sorts of books. I remember one day, when I worked as a case manager, I was in the office of a colleague with a book I just bought – The Giant’s House by Elizabeth McCraken – and she said to me, “I didn’t think I’d ever find another person who read that book.” Ah, the power of the printed word.
My disposable income disappeared after the birth of a child and a divorce. But, recently, I’ve been buying books again, both to rebuild my library and to support the work of authors. I understand now, being someone who depends on book purchases, how important it is to support the work of those whose words inspire me. I choose to spend $15 on a book, rather than new pajamas (you don’t want to see with I sleep in!), my favorite $2 vegan cookies, or expensive shampoo. Not that anything is wrong with cookies or new pajamas or Paul Mitchell; it’s just that money is finite, and people have to make choices about where their dollars go.
So, since lists of five seem like a trend on my blog these days, here are five book releases I’m looking forward to:
The Sweet In-Between by Sheri Reynolds. Reynolds is one of my all-time favorite authors. Her prose is brilliant, her observations so refreshing I read them over and over, her descriptions unique and perfect. I know, I know, this book has been released already, but only in hardcover. I do draw the line somewhere, and while I’ll probably borrow it from the library to read as soon as possible, I’ll wait for the soft-cover edition to buy it. Other books by Reynolds: The Rapture of Canaan, Bitterroot Landing, A Gracious Plenty, and Firefly Cloak.
The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb. Lamb writes massive novels, long and winding, though neither of his first two – She’s Come Undone and I Know This Much is True – felt that way. Satisfying, insightful, and rich, Lamb draws us inside the characters. While the reviews on this one have been mixed, I have high hopes. And anyway, reviews are not the end-all, be-all (says the writer who now has to deal with them all the time). Okay, you got me again. This one is out in hardcover, too. Another library read and softcover purchase.
Enough: Contentment in an Age of Excess by Will Samson. Yes, this is written by the husband of friend and author Lisa Samson. I’m excited to read it. Not only is the cover eye-catching – I thought it was a movie poster when Lisa posted it on her Facebook page – but it is also a subject I tend to feel passionate about, as Jacob will tell you, as he laments not having certain things that all his friends do.
The Passion of Mary-Margaret by Lisa Samson. Keeping it in the family! Seriously, I love Lisa’s writing. I first discovered her when my writer friend, Virelle Kidder, sent me two of her novels – Tiger Lillie and Women’s Intuition. At the time, I was working on Home Another Way, and wondering if there was any writer in the Christian fiction market who wrote books like the ones I wanted to write. Well, I picked up Lisa’s books and my question was answered within the first few pages. But, I also love Lisa’s passion for the issues of the day – she and I share many of the same concerns – and her willingness to explore and struggle with the bigger, grayer questions.
Daisy Chain by Mary DeMuth. I’m not a trilogy kind of gal, but I’m looking forward to Mary’s newest novel. I was fortunate enough to meet Mary last year at the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference, and she was such an encouragement to me, especially regarding a not-so-marketable-in-the-CBA idea I have. Her previous novel, Watching the Tree Limbs, and her story regarding the publishing of it, also helped me to realize that, sometimes, God will find a place for an idea He wants people to read, even if publishers don’t necessarily agree.
Movie Monday – Lilies of the Field
I love movies. Not all movies, of course. I’ve been hesitant to write about movies because I know some people – especially literary types – think them a waste of time. And some are – believe me, I’ve seen some awful movies, ones where my family and I look at each other and say, “I want my two hours back.” (Fortunately, I now write during these stinkers, thanks to my handy-dandy notebook – computer, that is.) But, honestly, I think well-crafted movies are just one more facet of the arts that make me a better writer. Poetry, non-fiction, fiction, visual art, fine art – all these things have impacted my writing. Why not movies? They can be an art form. I’m not talking about Transformers or American Pie (no, I haven’t seen either of these), but well-crafted, well-acted films.
I’ve mentioned before, I write what I see in my head. My novels play like movies, over and over, rewind, fast forward, take thirty-two, until each scene is perfect. I think this is also why so many of my Home Another Way readers tell me they can also see the words like a movie in their own minds. Watching great films help teach me about pacing, characterization, setting, mood – all those important writing things – as well as a great novel can.
Anyway, I want to share some of my favorite movies, ones I think have helped shaped me as a writer. And the first one is Lilies of the Field.
Never heard of it?
Released in 1963 and based on the novel of the same title, Lilies of the Field is a black-and-white movie starring Sidney Poitier as an itinerant worker who ends up at a poor convent in Arizona run by East German nuns, and they think he’s been sent by God to build them a “schaple” – a chapel. The entire movie was shot in 14 days on location, with director Ralph Nelson putting up his house as collateral for the project, and Poitier taking a huge pay cut. It paid off. The film was nominated for five Academy Awards, and won one – a best actor for Poitier, his first.
This is an excellent film for the whole family, too.
Other Sidney Poitier films I’ve enjoyed:
Cry the Beloved Country (1951)
The Defiant Ones (1958)
A Raisin in the Sun (1961)
A Patch of Blue (1965)
In the Heat of the Night (1967)
Guess Who’s Coming for Dinner (1967)
Television:
Separate but Equal (1991)
Mandela and De Klerk (1997)
The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn (1999)
To Sir, With Love (1967)
More Blog Reviews for Home Another Way, Take Two
Kim at WINDOW TO MY WORLD writes:
…Christa Parrish has written a debut novel that is almost painfully beautiful. Her prose is poetic with vivid imagery in some places and abrupt and poignant in others. Her characters are real and rich with humanity and sorrow of life experience. Sarah Graham’s character takes you into the mind of a hard-hearted, bitter woman who is determined to prove to the world that she needs no one and that she is perfectly satisfied with herself alone. What she never imagined is that this eclectic group of mountain folk posses something far more satisfying that anything Sarah has ever encountered. Real love. Love that can only be birthed from a God-given faith… Read the entire review here.
Cara at CARA PUTMAN writes:
The tale of a troubled young woman, Sarah Graham, who seems bent on destroying herself. Then she learns her father, who spent much of her lifetime in prison for killing her mother, died and left her an estate. She goes to Jonah for the sole purpose of collecting her inheritance and living. To receive the money she has to stay through the long winter. As she does, she is slowly changed by the love of those around her and the slow unveiling of the truth. This book rolled through the story with a pull that kept me reading. And I was so satisfied with the ending because it wasn’t the expected wrap up. If you’re hungry for something different, grab this book!
Christy at AT SPLIT ENDS writes:
This book has impressed me because even though I didn’t really like the main character in the beginning – I got irritated with her a time or two – the author has somehow managed to make me understand her. I feel sorry for her. But more important, I’m rooting for her… Not only has Christa Parrish nailed her characters, she’s got some excellent lines. As a writer, I want to learn how to do that! Read the entire review here.
Lisa at MUSINGS writes:
Home Another Way is an amazing novel written by debut author Christa Parrish. Beautiful descriptions, unique characters with their own voices, and a story that tugs on the heart. I was so touched by Sarah’s story that I couldn’t stop thinking about her… Read the entire review here.
Christy at Christy’s Book Blog writes:
Sarah is angry at her father, the world, and God; not necessarily in that order. She rebels by flaunting her body and drinking too much. This is not your standard Christian fiction character. But Parrish pulls away Sarah’s layers one by one exposing her as a deeply wounded woman wanting nothing more than to be loved for who she is. This novel packs a lot of punch with interesting characters, moving drama, and evolving faith.
What I’ve Done – So Far
I saw this listed on Facebook, and thought I’d post it on my blog so my readers can get to know me a bit better – if they want to, that is! I’ve bolded my accomplishments:
*1. Started your own blog
*2. Slept under the stars
*3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
*5. Watched a meteor shower
*6. Given more than you can afford to charity
*7. Been to Disneyworld (and Disney World)
*8. Climbed a mountain
*9. Held a praying mantis
*10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
*12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
*14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
*16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
*18. Grown your own vegetables
*19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
*21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
*23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
*24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
*29. Seen a total eclipse
*30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
*31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
*33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
*35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
*37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
*39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
*41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
*43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
*45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
*46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
*48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
*50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
*51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
*52. Kissed in the rain
*53. Played in the mud
*54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
*57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
*60. Served at a soup kitchen
*61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
*62. Gone whale watching
*63. Got flowers for no reason
*64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
*69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
*73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired/laid off from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
*77. Broken a bone
*78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
*80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
*84. Had your picture in the newspaper
*85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
*88. Had chickenpox
*89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
*91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
*93. Lost a loved one
*94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
*98. Owned a cell phone
*99. Been stung by a bee
*100. Seen Mount Rushmore in person
*101. Learned to play an instrument
102. Kissed the Blarney Stone
*103. Ridden a camel
104. Walked on the Columbian Icefields in Canada
