Ransome's Honor

by Phee Paradise

Hello, Pixels. I'm excited to review Ransome's Honor by Kaye Dacus. It’s been a while since I read a book I couldn’t put down. It doesn’t have high adventure or deep themes, but I had to keep reading to see what would happen next. I kept telling myself I would read just one more page, one more section, one more chapter.

It is essentially a romance, but the love story unfolds gradually and the main characters act with integrity. Not so the villain. He is truly despicable, but part of the genius of the book is that some of it is told from his point of view and we get a glimpse into his character. In fact, the book moves easily between three characters’ points of view without any disruption to the story. It is set in early nineteenth century British society, which Dacus has clearly researched in depth, and the Royal Navy is almost another character. The plot hinges on a cultural convention that, as a modern American woman, I don’t get and made me want to shake the heroine, but it made sense within the story. In spite of this, she is smart, capable and has a strong faith. Most of the characters rely on God for guidance and comfort, but it is such a natural part of their lives that there is no sense that the author is teaching a lesson.

The book ends delightfully with a little humor and a nod to Jane Austen. I can’t wait for the next two books, but I hope they don’t come out too soon because I need to get some work done.

The first book in the exciting Ransome Trilogy is set in 1814 England. Julia Witherington must marry to receive a large dowry. The one man she despises is the only man her father approves of - Captain William Ransome. When the two enter a fake one-year marriage, the real adventure begins.

Kaye Dacus is an author and editor who has been writing fiction for more than twenty years. Pursuing her passion for writing, she earned a Master of Arts in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. She is a former Vice President and long-time member of American Christian Fiction Writers, and is also a founding member of Middle Tennessee Christian Writers. Kaye lives in Nashville, Tennessee, and writes contemporary and historical romances. To find out more about Kaye and her books, please visit her online at Kaye Dacus.

Editing Tip #8: Fair Use

Kathy Ide’s Editing Tips
© Kathy Ide, 2009

In this column, freelance author, editor, and speaker Kathy Ide shares tips on self-editing your manuscript.

~ FAIR USE ~

Copyright law is written to encourage the growth of knowledge while at the same time protecting those who further the growth of knowledge. You use a book to gain knowledge; an author publishes a book to earn money. You would not purchase a book if you could not use the information in the book, but an author could not publish a book if he could not earn money for his time and effort. "Fair Use" is the concept within the copyright law that weighs the delicate balance between use and protection.

Fair Use is based on the following criteria:
Purpose of the use (commercial or private)
Nature of the work
Amount and substantiality of the portion used compared to the copyrighted work as a whole
Effect of the use on the potential market for, or value of, the original.

Determination of Fair Use is weighed by looking at how the work is used, how much of the work is used, and how the use affects the value and potential sales of the original work. Fair Use frequently comes into question when determining what portion of a book might be quoted or used for reviews, criticism, education, and research.

Other than private in-home listening and playing, Fair Use of music is extremely limited.

REQUESTING PERMISSION

All requests for permission to reprint should be sent to the copyright holder in writing and in duplicate. The request should contain the following information:
· title of the original work, including page number(s) of the material to be reprinted
· information about the publication in which the author wishes to reproduce the material: title, approximate number of printed pages, formal publication (clothbound book, paperback book, journal, etc.), publisher, probable date of publication, approximate print run, and list price (if available).

The copyright holder will either sign and return to the author one copy of the request or will send the author the copyright owner's standard form. In either case the person responding to the request should state clearly what fee is demanded for the proposed use and what special conditions apply. The second copy of the permission form will be retained in the copyright owner's files. The requesting author should give the original to the publisher and keep the third copy for his or her reference.

CITING SOURCES

Whether or not the use of others' material requires permission, an author must provide the source of such material. Whenever you quote or paraphrase the idea of another person, you must provide a proper citation for the source in a bibliography or footnote to (a) give credit to the author or creator and (b) enable a reader to locate the source you cited. Providing references for authoritative sources lends credibility to your work. If you do not give credit to the work of others, you are committing plagiarism.

The Chicago Manual of Style states that commonly known facts, available in numerous sources, do not need to be enclosed quotation marks or given a source citation unless the wording is taken directly from another work. For example, "Abraham Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865" does not need a footnote.

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NOTE: It is an infringement of copyright law to reproduce this
publication, in part or in whole, without the express permission of the
author. To request permission, please e-mail Kathy@KathyIde.com.

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AUTHOR BIO:

Kathy Ide has been writing for publication since 1988. She has written books, articles, play and movie scripts, short stories, devotionals, and curriculum. She is a full-time freelance editor, offering a full range of editorial services for aspiring writers, established authors, commercial book publishers, subsidy publishers, and magazines. Her services include proofreading, copyediting, substantive/content editing, coauthoring, ghostwriting, and mentoring/coaching. She also speaks at writers’ conferences across the country. She is the founder and coordinator of The Christian PEN: Proofreaders and Editors Network (http://www.thechristianpen.com/) and the Christian Editor Network (http://www.christianeditor.com/). To find out more, please visit http://www.kathyide.com/.

Is Writing Dialogue Difficult for You?

Do you struggle with dialogue in your manuscript? Is it boring, dull, lifeless, or senseless? Do you know how to use dialogue to progress your story?

Eva Marie Everson's online writing course Dynamics of Dialogue will help make your dialogue sing!

What are today's readers (and editors!) looking for when they thumb through you book? White space. Simply put, white space is dialogue. Formatted properly, it shows the reader with one glance that this will be a quick, easy, entertaining read. And this is exactly what they are looking for. But dialogue is an area of writing both fiction and nonfiction that screams, "Amateur!" faster than anything else. Editors today are amazed at how little potential writers know about writing dialogue properly and in such a way as to pull a reader into a scene rather than making him want to scream as he runs away!

In this four-week course, allow Eva Marie Everson to show you the dynamics of writing dialogue. From tag lines to staggering tags, from adding action and voice inflection, you will learn it all in a fun, hands-on workshop. By the end of four weeks, writing dialogue will come to you as naturally as ... well ... speaking!

Eva Marie Everson is the award-winning author of The Potluck Club series, The Potluck Catering Club series (both Revell), The Shadow Series (Barbour), and a new line of Southern Fiction beginning with Things Left Unspoken (2009). She will see two novels published in 2009, two in 2010, and is already contracted out for the next three years with Southern Fiction for Revell.

Dynamics of Dialogue starts Monday, August 17, so reserve your spot now. The cost of the course is $100. Class size is small - usually 5-10 students - so instruction is personalized and one-on-one to help you grow as a writer.




Schedule of other online courses offered by WIES Workshops.

Random Thoughts

BY SUZANNE WILLIAMS

Sometimes I sit down to write this blog and I have a definite direction I want to take. Other times an event in my life is prominent in my thinking and that forms my thoughts. But tonight as I relax on my couch, a bowl of raspberry sherbet slowly melting beside me, I have only randomness. It's like my thoughts are as this dandelion, drifting in the wind. Try as I might, I just cannot seem to organize my thinking.

Drifting Away, Dandelion

Writing this blog has become an inspiration in my life, and it's something I really enjoy. I have been stretched mentally to use skills I didn't know I had, and the end results are always so rewarding. I like sharing my knowledge. I like gleaning from the knowledge of others. I like learning and growing.

But sometimes I must return to where I began, as a photographer. Photographs don't require words. They don't require organized thought or mental recall. I don't have to remember anything to enjoy them. No, I need only to relax and "sponge" them in. Each line and curve, each touch of the light, soaking into my brain.

Resting

Writing blogs may now be what I do, and it feels like I do it a lot. And words are marvelous things that allow me to create and become and share. But photography is who I am. So for tonight I'll just allow all the hard stuff, the group emails, the newsletters, the leftovers from work, to melt away. And I'll indulge myself with a few photographs. I'll daydream and let my thinking just flow away...

The Power of Water, Dry Falls, North Carolina

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Suzanne Williams Photography
To Read More Of My Words
Florida, USA

Suzanne Williams is a native Floridian, wife, and mother, with a penchant for spelling anything, who happens to love photography.

Hardboiled Detective Goes Soft

by Phee Paradise

Hello Pixels. I'm happy that I can gladly recommend the first book I'm reviewing for you. If you like hardboiled detective novels, you’ll enjoy The Night Watchman. That is, if you don’t mind a bitter, crippled cop on forced medical retirement.

At first, I didn’t like him at all. But as he investigated the case of a dead minister, I was drawn in, not only by the mystery, but by the emotions in the story. I watched the detective develop a soft spot and, although he didn’t know it, it was clear that God was wooing him. He gradually and naturally lost some of his bitterness and even started caring about other people. The book has a good mystery with lots of twists and I didn’t anticipate the outcome. It also has some great characters.

I recommend The Night Watchman by Mark Mynheir.

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Night Watchman
Multnomah Books (May 5, 2009)
by
Mark Mynheir


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Mark Mynheir was born and raised on the east coast of Central Florida. Like most boys growing up, Mark enjoyed sports, mainly football and martial arts.

In 1983, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and went through basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina. After serving four years in the Marines, Mark changed gears and pursued a career in law enforcement.

During his career as a police officer, Mark has worked as a narcotics agent, a S.W.A.T. team member, and a homicide detective.

Over sixteen years ago, during a health crisis involving his oldest son, Mark gave his life to Jesus Christ. Shortly after his conversion, he felt God leading him in a new direction: writing. Now he balances dual careers as a police officer and novelist.

He has authored Rolling Thunder (The Truth Chasers Book One), From the Belly of the Dragon (The Truth Chasers Book Two), and The Void (The Truth Chasers Book Three).

Mark is married to the love of his life and has three fantastic children, and they all currently reside in Central Florida.


ABOUT THE BOOK

When everything is ripped away...

Eleven months ago, Ray Quinn was a tough, quick-witted Orlando homicide detective at the top of his game-until a barrage of bullets ended his career and his partner's life.

Now medically retired with a painful handicap, Ray battles the haunting guilt for his partner's death. Numbing the pain with alcohol and attitude, Ray takes a job as a night watchman at a swanky Orlando condo community.

But when a pastor and an exotic dancer are found dead in one of the condos in an apparent murder-suicide, Ray can no longer linger in the shadows. The victim’s sister is convinced her brother was framed and begs Ray to take on an impossible case─to challenge the evidence and clear her brother’s name.

Ray reluctantly pulls the thread of this supposedly dead-end case only to unravel a murder investigation so deep that it threatens to turn the Orlando political landscape upside down and transform old friends into new enemies. As Ray chases down leads and interrogates suspects, someone is watching his every move, someone determined to keep him from ever finding out the truth─at any cost.

To read the first chapter of Night Watchman, click here.