Two Fun Things a Writer Loves

Well, this writer, anyway. I love to interact with both writers and readers. This Saturday, November 2, I get to do both!

• First, I love to share what I’ve learned with other writers.

At 1:00, I’ll be at the First Evangelical Free Church, 820 N 30th Street, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, speaking to the local ACFW chapter, Worship Write Witness (WWW). I’ve been asked to share my organizational method for keeping things straight that I call The Writer’s Tool Belt. Here’s the description:

Have you ever started a craft, gardening, or building project only to discover your tools were somewhere in the shed or lost in the closet? The same problem exists for writers when they spend hours searching for files on their computers. Where is that plotting chart? Where is the synopsis? Where is the chocolate? Kathleen E. Kovach has developed a system to keep everything at a writer’s fingertips using Excel spreadsheet. In Writer’s Tool Belt: Organizing Your Story, she will not only show you how to custom make your own Writer’s Tool Belt, but offer plotting techniques that have worked for her through seven novels.

• Second, I love to sell my books!

At 5:30, I will be at the Farr Regional Library, 1939 61st Avenue, in Greeley, Colorado, signing Titanic: Legacy of Betrayal and Postmark: Christmas. I will have some older titles, as well. My good buddy and writing partner, Paula Moldenhauer, will be there, too. We co-authored Titanic and we were both in the collection of four stories in Postmark.

The event is part of ReadCON, an all day affair for people who like to read and write. Here is their description:

ReadCON is a totally new celebration of all the great things about reading and our libraries. Sessions throughout the day will introduce you to new books, new people, and a new side of your library. Become a better writer, put titles on your reading list, hold a successful book club with your friends, try out a new tablet or ereader. Cozy up by our fireplace and meet Mary Doria Russell and Craig Johnson, critically-acclaimed authors who are guaranteed to ignite your passion for both reading and writing. It's a year's worth of library programming in one day, locally-sourced and 100% free to attend. All we need is you, the readers, to make this thing happen. Feed your passion for all things book related at ReadCON. Check back for more event information.

Library: Farr Regional Library
Contact: Peter Derk
Contact Number: 1-888-861-7323

I hope you can make one or both of these fun things. Of course, I know geographically it’s two hours between the two. But hey, if I can do it, you can do it!

The Desire of My Heart

(This is an updated version to the blog post written in September 2005.)

Anticipation filled the banquet room, sparking with the electricity of hopes and dreams. Thoughts swirled in my head. Am I really a writer? Or am I just fooling myself?

The place was the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) conference in Nashville, Tennessee. The year was 2005. At the beginning of each conference, Barbour Publishing presents a contract publically to an unpublished author. This, of course, elicits enough electrons and protons from all the participants to light up the Grand Ole Opry.

My journey to publication began in 2002 when I won the unpublished prose contest at the Colorado Christian Writers Conference for my entry, “If Anyone Hears My Voice.” I clearly heard God clapping as I accepted that certificate, and He asked, "What are we going to write next, Kathy?" At that point I knew I had the ultimate writing partner.

Writing has always been a big part of my life. I remember when, in my pre-kindergarten days, I would fidget in church. My mother would hand me a pencil and a piece of paper. I'd scribble and people thought I was creating toddler art. But I’m sure I was actually drawing word pictures, trying to get the stories in my head out where I could see them. What a glorious year it was when I learned how to spell! In my faltering, baby-step writing, I managed to write a poem. "The Fat Cat in the Black Top Hat." This endeavor garnished some income. I sold hand-written copies of that poem to my friends, complete with a drawing of a fat cat in a black top hat that looked more like a dusty snowman with whiskers. I charged a nickel and I made 25 cents. This, in my mind, made me a published author.

As I sat in that banquet room during the ACFW 2005 conference in Nashville, Tracie Peterson, then editor of the Heartsong Presents line for Barbour Publishing, took her place behind the dais. Adrenaline buzzed in my ears so forcefully I could barely hear her. “This year, I’d like to present a new contract to. . .”

May I just stop here and bring this all into perspective? "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4.) The Message takes this further: "Keep company with God, get in on the best. Open up before God, keep nothing back; he'll do whatever needs to be done: He'll validate your life in the clear light of day and stamp you with approval at high noon. Quiet down before God, be prayerful before him. Don't bother with those who climb the ladder, who elbow their way to the top" (Psalm 37:4-7, emphasis mine.) It's my obedience that will clear the way for God to minister through me. I don't need to worry about the next project or the next book contract. If I'm still before God, if I listen to His voice, He will take my career to where He wants it to be.

I received my first contract that day for Merely Players when Tracie called my name. The nagging thought just prior—Am I just fooling myself?—fizzled into dust. God validated me. I am a writer.

And God is my writing partner.

A follow up to this celebrated day: As of July 2013, I have written seven books. Six for Barbour and one self- published and co-written with Paula Moldenhauer. To see a list of all my books, please visit my Website.

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A word to those who are wondering when your validation will come: Understand that publication isn’t the only way God validates. Be open to those moments when God says, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Oregon Books on Kindle Now!

All three of my Oregon novels are on Kindle. These are the ones included in Oregon Weddings. Each story is stand alone, but one secondary character moves on to the next story in each book. In the last story, I tied in the first so that it completes a circle.

• God Gave the Song - Skye has spent his entire life dealing with pain and abandonment issues from his childhood. But as an adult, he's finally happy. . .until the day he gets a call from a lawyer saying his hippie mother, Hannie, is in a coma. When Skye shows up on Hannie's alpaca ranch as the surprised and hostile heir apparent, Ruthanne struggles to believe that her wonderful employer could be the same woman who caused the bitter pain she sees in Skye's eyes. Will Skye and Ruthanne each allow their unforgiveness to keep them bound and unfulfilled, or will God use a strange situation to heal their past hurts and anger? Order HERE.
• Crossroads Bay - Caterer Paul Godfrey hadn't imagined meeting the girl of his dreams while draped over the side of a charter boat, nauseous. Captain Meranda Drake hadn't imagined she'd ever fall for a land-lubber. But the two team up to search for a long lost booty of coins that belong to Meranda's family. Their search takes them from the deep waters off the Oregon coast to the lighthouse that represents Meranda's deceased father. What they find is something more important than ancient treasure, more lasting than love, and more solid than the rocky shore.  Order HERE.
• Fine, Feathered Friend - Glenys Bernard is up for a role that will launch her acting career. One problem. It requires her to handle a falcon--and she's afraid of birds. She enlists the help of bird handler, Tim Vogel, who has a fear of his own--actresses. Will Glenys overcome her fear before she endangers lives? Will Tim shed his prejudice before his soul mate leaves forever? And will a gossiping parrot named Cyrano be able to bring these two together in his unique way? Order HERE.

Two Sources for Free eBooks!

This post is for all of those blessed people who own a Kindle or a Nook, especially those who received one for Christmas. I have a Kindle app on my iPhone and absolutely love it. I always have a book at my disposal for those times when Hubs needs to make a quick Home Depot run that takes an hour. I’ve been known to push the basket while reading, keeping Hubs in my peripheral so I don’t run down any weekend warriors.

Following are my two favorites sources for free or discounted eBooks.

• Inspired Reads – Sign up for their free eNewsletter and receive daily alerts. For Kindle only.
• David C. Cook – This publisher has a finger on the pulse of modern readers. When you click on the “Download eBook” button, it gives several options of stores to choose from.

There are many more resources out there for free and discounted eBooks. Google them and pick your favorites.

Please excuse the self-promotion, but I’m excited to announce that I have four eBooks available right now.

• Titanic: Legacy of Betrayal on Kindle and Nook.
• Postmark: Christmas on Kindle.
• Fine, Feathered Friend on Kindle.
• God Gave the Song on Kindle.

For a list of all my books on Amazon, please visit my author page.

Happy eReading, everyone!