Blog

Contradictions: What’s Going On?

Posted on by Katie Ganshert

Raise your hand if this has happened to you….

You submit your manuscript to a contest or send it to a critique group or get feedback from agents.

One judge says your characters are well-developed. The other says they are one-dimensional.

One critique partner says your plot is too slow. The other says you’ve written a page-turner.

One agent says your work isn’t ready. The other says you’re so very close.

I think most of us can raise our hands. I think most of us understand that feedback can be confusing and contradictory.

As my debut novel makes its way into readers’ hands, I’m learning that the confusion and the contradictions don’t end with contests and critique groups and agent searches. It continues after publication. In a little land called Review World.

I’ve taken some snippets from various reviews of Wildflowers from Winter to highlight my point. It was a highly entertaining endeavor…

Overall Impression:

  • This is a decidedly light, romantic novel.
  • At times I felt as if the emotion was so overwhelming I couldn’t breathe.
  • It’s a great book to take on vacation. One that’ll help you unwind after work.
  • It’s not what I’d call a “bathtub” read. It’s full of meat and potatoes.

The Genre:

  • Although at times I wanted to roll my eyes at the corny romance plot that is present in so many Christian novels, Wildflowers from Winter can be recommended for those who desire a wholesome read with a fast-paced plotline.
  • I am proud to say that I FINALLY found a Christian romance that I liked, and even scarier, related to! This book restored my faith in Christian romance. (emphasis not mine)

The Plot:

  • Somewhat predictable
  • Twists that keep you guessing
Character Likability and Relatability:
  • I had a hard time connecting with the main characters.
  • You can’t help but fall in love with these characters.
  • Bethany is a hard character to identify with in the beginning.
  • I identified with Bethany’s struggles and rooted for her from the very beginning.
  • I’ve never met a protagonist I disliked as much as this one.
  • I LOVED the character of Bethany! (emphasis not mine)
Character Growth:
  • Bethany never changes!
  • The reader could see a drastic change.
The Hook:
  • While this book was a slow start for me, once I was fully engaged in the storyline, I couldn’t put it down.
  • Ganshert’s fresh beautiful voice gripped me from page one and hung on until the last page.

The Prologue:

  • The prologue set me off on the wrong foot. Actually, after the prologue, I didn’t even like the book. But take my word for it and stick with it!
  • I barely made it through the prologue before asking myself, “WHO is this new writer and WHEN is she writing the next one?” (emphasis not mine)

Alternating Third and First Person POVs:

  • I found it distracting, though not hard to follow.
  • Especially compelling are the first person passages interspersed in the main narrative.
  • Only real drawback for me was the author’s choice to switch back and forth from first to third narrative.
  • The book shifts at times to the past, which creatively adds substance and depth to the story line.
And my favorite….
 
Recommendation:
  • I would not recommend this book to anyone. (Thankfully, this person’s flying solo so far.)
  • I could not put this book down and would recommend it to everyone!

Alright, So what gives?

How is it possible for one person to love Bethany and another to hate her? How can one person say the book is a lighthearted easy read, yet another call it “gut-wrenching” and filled with depth?

Who’s right?

Are you ready for the beautiful, amazing, glorious truth?

Neither. Both. Nobody. All. 

Because taste is subjective. 

Thank the Lord, taste is subjective!

If you have the basics mastered, like Jody Hedlund talks about in a post titled, 2 Tests that Can Help Writers Sort Through Feedback, then be prepared for…

  • Some people to love your work and some to wrinkle their nose at it.
  • A nearly perfect score from one judge and an in-the-pits score from another.
  • One agent to toss your story aside, another to snatch it up.
  • One editor to reject your book after two pages, another to be your biggest advocate. 
  • One reader to swear off anymore of your novels, another to become your newest, biggest fan.

It’s impossible to please everyone. 

Absolutely impossible.

Especially if we’re going to write from a place of honesty. Especially if we refuse to play it safe and write from the soul.

Some people will love what we have to offer, because of their background or personal preference or set of beliefs or (insert whatever you want here). And some people won’t, because of all those same reasons.

That truth shouldn’t give us ulcers. It should set us free.

And it should make for really great book club discussions. 🙂 Speaking of, Wildflowers is the May pick for the online Christian Fiction Book Club. 

Let’s Talk: Have you ever received contradictory feedback? Feel free to share it here. I promise, it’s therapeutic. 

If you’d like to read my debut and decide for yourself which reviews you agree with, it’s available for preorder on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Christianbook.com. 

Wildflowers from Winter: Hope after Depression

Posted on by Katie Ganshert

I can’t believe we’ve reached the last of our real-life Wildflowers from Winter guest posts. I hope the stories of these women have uplifted and encouraged you.

This last guest post is from Teri Metts and is every bit as beautiful as the others. I trust God will use her words to set many hearts free today.

A Ministry is Born

Can someone who walks in close fellowship with God battle debilitating insecurities? Is it possible to say, “I trust God,” and yet still suffer with depression? Not only is it possible, I know from experience depression and debilitating insecurities plague many who genuinely love the Lord.

Although my Christian mother raised me in church, our home life was unpredictable. My alcoholic father’s drinking and chronic unfaithfulness often drove my mother to bouts of depression and emotional outbursts. As a result she depended upon me for emotional support long before I was mature enough to handle her needs. It wasn’t uncommon for her to fly into a rage and then not speak to me for days as punishment for something often beyond my control, which ultimately produced within me a deep-rooted fear of rejection.

By the time I reached my teens, I’d begun experiencing panic attacks fueled by waves of insecurity in my closest relationships. In an attempt to protect myself from the rejection I feared might come, I spent years shutting down emotionally. I hid behind a mask of false security and self-confidence, allowing others only so far into my world. In my mid-thirties, I learned burying one’s emotions eventually results in a volcanic-type eruption called depression. For a season I battled this demon in silence, still fearful of experiencing rejection should others discover my weakness. Always at the back of my mind were these troubling questions: How could a respected minister’s wife, missionary, and Bible study teacher admit she struggled with depression and overwhelming waves of insecurity? Wouldn’t that be a poor reflection on the love I had for God and the faith I claimed to place in Him?

By the spring of 1999 I could no longer hide the depth of my emotional unhealthiness, and my worst nightmare became a reality. Dreading the questions, or worse yet, the silent accusations, I wanted to go into hiding. I was convinced no one would ever again seek me out as a friend, teacher or spiritual mentor. They would label me a fraud. I felt as if my total sense of value and self-worth had been jerked out for underneath me. But God knew my exposure would ultimately be the catalyst He would use to set me free.

Once I was at the bottom of the pit, God reached down and picked me up. That summer (’99) He began a restoration process in my life as I facilitated a support group for women who also needed to face the demons their pasts had created. After the first group finished, two more began, with a waiting list for future groups. I was blown away. Admitting to my own battles had not pushed others away; instead, my admission became a magnet drawing them to me and giving them the courage to share with others their own struggles.

The following spring I started a ministry for women called Hem Touchers. Over the course of that year, God led me to write two Bible studies – Touching Jesus & Embracing Christ – to use with ministry participants (women who, like me, needed to trust Him to heal their hurts). Twelve years later these studies are still being used by God to help others find healing from past and present life hurts.

I’m offering a set of these Bible studies to one person commenting on today’s post. If you would like to be entered in the drawing, be sure and leave your e-mail address.

This hymn was one of Teri’s favorites as God lifted her from her depression.

Teri Metts is a pastor’s wife, Bible study teacher, and former missionary to the Dominican Republic. Over the past twenty-five+ years, she has written Sunday School literature as well as numerous Bible studies, including two twelve-week studies, Touching Jesus and Embracing Christ, as curriculum for Hem Touchers Ministry, started in April 2000. 

More recently, Teri has entered the field of Christian fiction. Her first novel, Caribbean Paradise (set in the Dominican Republic), was published in 2010, followed by Pearl of the Caribbean (set in Haiti), in 2011. She is presently at work on the third and final Island Legacy Novel, Caribbean Freedom (set in Cuba), which releases in February 2013. 

Teri lives with her husband Joe and their two dogs, Buddy & Shug, in Mississippi. They have three grown children (two married, one single) and four grandchildren. In 2006, Teri and Joe bought their dream home, a 1910 bungalow. Be sure and check out Teri’s Christian-based blog and website at www.bungalowretreat.com, where she depicts country-living, bungalow-style, through words and pictures. 

Let’s Talk: Have you ever been afraid to share real parts of yourself for fear of how others will respond? Do you know Teri? Say hi. Introduce yourself. She’s an inspiring woman! 

Do you have a story you can share? Don’t miss out on the Wildflowers from Winter blog hop on May 4th! I cannot wait to read your testimonies. 

Don’t forget to send me the link (katie@katieganshert.com) so I can include it in my blog post next Friday. All who participate will be entered to win a $50 gift card to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Christianbook.com (winner’s choice).

Please help spread the word. How cool would it be to flood the internet with stories of hope and healing?

Where Lilacs Still Bloom Blog Hop & Giveaway!

Posted on by Katie Ganshert

A blog post on a Thursday! What in the world is going on?

Fun, that’s what!

I am thrilled to have award-winning author, Jane Kirtpatrick, on my blog today. Not just because her newest release has flowers in the title (like mine), but because she’s a phenomenal writer.

Her newest release, Where Lilacs Still Bloom, hit shelves last week and is already receiving rave reviews.

Jane is going to share some thoughts on perseverance, an important theme in her novel. An important theme in life (especially if you’re a writer).

I trust Ms. Kirkpatrick’s words will be a blessing to you today.

But first, I want to call your attention to a few fun announcements:

  • On top of that, there’s a grand prize! $50 Visa gift card plus signed books from Jane and myself. Totally cool, right? To be eligible, you must comment on all five blogs in the Where Lilacs Still Bloom blog hop. That’s it! The grand prize winner will be emailed and announced on Jane’s blog next Tuesday.

Without further ado, let’s turn it over to Jane…

Perseverence

“Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate.  For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.” –James 1:12 (The Message)

I enjoy words, looking up their origin and exploring their many meanings discovering new insights into words and life.  That proved true for the word challenge.  So many of the historical people I write about are beset with challenges on the Oregon Trail, as homesteaders and pioneers, as mothers and fathers making lives for their families. 

Challenges are part of the human condition. When I looked up that word I found these definitions that were familiar: “A call to engage in a fight” or “the quality of requiring full use of one’s abilities, energy or resources” or “a formal objection as to a juror” or “to summon to action.”  Quite far down on Webster’s list were origins of the word challenge as coming from the Latin calumnia meaning trickery. Right below that was the definition “to deceive.”

How could a challenge be a deception? I began to think back to a time of great challenge. One of the biggest was finally agreeing to move with my husband to a remote ranch twenty-five miles from the smallest town, seven miles from a mailbox and eleven miles from a paved road.  He wanted to build a new life on 160 acres of remote, sage and rattlesnake covered land.  After five years of resistance on my part, we stepped out on a cloud of faith believing we wouldn’t fall through. We faced enormous challenges from the weather, the distance, the isolation.  Acquiring building materials, making phone calls from a barn ten miles away, dealing with a treacherous dirt road that wound up a canyon with a 950 foot drop and no guardrails became almost daily encounters.

Yet from those challenges my husband and I developed a closer relationship.  We found ourselves trusting in God’s calling to that land and deepened our loyalty to God. Each of us discovered new skills we didn’t realize we had and found ways to help our family that might not so easily have occurred before our move. We found happiness and contentment and more life.

The deception in the challenge?  If I had stayed where I was I would never have found that joy; our faith might not have been deepened, our lives enriched beyond measure through new professions and helping each other. Sometimes the greatest challenges begin with a deception, our minds telling us “You can’t do that!  You’re too old, too weak, too foolish.”  We are tempted to listen to the nay-saying voices rather than hear the gentle sound of God calling us to greater things, helping us through the hard times knowing there are joys on the other side of the challenge because we persevered.

Scripture tells us “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial.”  Stepping over the deceit does not mean the challenge will be easy, but doing so promises a deeper relationship with God and the reward of “more life.” Those words are not deceitful but full of hope.

God the Creator of the universe, give us wisdom to see beyond the deceit to the challenge that will deepen our love for you.  Help us face the challenges today head-on trusting that we may know you more deeply and discover all you have planned for “more life.”  Amen.

Let’s Talk: What challenges are you facing today? What are you learning about yourself and about God as your persevere through these challenges?

Do you want to get to know more about Jane Kirkpatrick? Check out her blog. Or find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.