Monday Motivation - Think about what you see . . .

Monday Motivation - Think about what you see . . .

Well, I told you I would reveal the secret location of last week’s writing prompt photo this Monday. I took the picture next to the historic site of Tom Walker’s Grist Mill, now known as the Parshallville Cider Mill, at the millpond. Parshallville is a little town tucked between Hartland and Fenton, Michigan. If you blink, you might miss it! Here’s another photo I took, looking in the other direction the same day. 

Stories can spring from what may seem the most mundane things. I picked up a catalog I’d received from L.L. Bean the other day. On the cover, a couple sat on the back end of a pick up truck in an idyllic autumn scene. With a lake and evergreen trees in the background, as well as crisp brown leaves around their feet, they looked like the perfect couple to star in a contemporary romance novel. I started to think what conflict could come into play to start things out right.

What if they were being watched and an SUV speeds into view. The intruders kidnap the guy at gunpoint and knock the woman out. But why? What had he been involved in? What did he know? Was he in the witness protection program? And how would she ever find him again? Voila! My imagination was off and running with the beginning of a romantic suspense novel. (Either that, or  I've been watching too many Castle episodes lately.) I’m going to keep that catalog cover with a few lines about my ideas, tucked away for possible future use. Sparking the imagination is always good
exercise for the creative side of the brain!

Writers: Your challenge this week is to keep an eye out for pictures that inspire your creativity. Write down your ideas. Save the pictures.

Has a picture ever inspired you to write a story? Please share your thoughts about this week’s post or about creative inspiration in general. Or follow to be entered in this week’s drawing for a chance to win a paperback edition of Brave New Century, which includes my debut novella, The Pocket Watch, and a package of assorted Lindt Lindor Truffles.

Happy Thanksgiving! 

WEDNESDAY WHIMSY

Lily reviews Miss Fishfly

With a name like Miss Fishfly, what’s not to like? I like eating fish and I like batting at insects. I helped Mom catch an ant the other day and I act like I am going to die of starvation when she opens a can of tuna and won’t share. However, Miss Fishfly is about neither of these things.

Miss Fishfly, a novella by Linda Glaz, is a sweet contemporary romance about two young people dealing with the baggage from their pasts, which they don’t want to carry into the future. Christy Hayes, a hard working nurse, was once deserted by her father and has been looking for love with the wrong kind of guys. Cole Keller, a war hero from a dysfunctional  background, has been betrayed by the one woman he thought he loved.

Both of them are struggling to find something more in their lives, but don’t think God is the answer. They are thrown together by the wedding of their best friends, Aleni and Brice, and again at the bedside of Cole’s dying grandpa. A friendship between Christie and Cole that begs to be more, and the gentle prodding of the God-fearing people in their lives, send the two on a quest for healing and a future that promises more than their pasts.

           

Miss Fishfly is a page-turning, quick read with strong (human) characters and real life situations. It’s a story of hope and healing. Both the hero and heroine have flawed pasts, but also have good qualities, like real people. Christie is caring and sensitive to other’s needs. Cole has a tender spot for children, especially Brice’s stepson, and respect for his Grandpa Hartway. Mom says we should all have a Grandpa Hartway in our lives—someone lovable who imparts the message of God’s grace with truth and wisdom. Personally, I don’t like it when children try to pet me all the time, because I’m so cute, but Mom says I have to play nice. Cole sounds super patient.

           

My only complaint is that this novella is too short! Mom and I would love to read more about Christie, Cole and their families. One other teensy thing—there are dogs in the story. But I will forgive the author this indiscretion at this time and still give Miss Fishfly four paws up. (Besides, don’t tell the other cats, but I kind of like dogs. I rode to Petsmart with one the day Mom and Dad came to adopt me.)

Please leave a comment for a chance to win an ebook copy of Miss Fishfly!

WEDNESDAY WHIMSY

Lilybits (photo courtesy of
my nephew, John Hensel)

I told Mom that I thought this should be called Lily’s Literary Corner, but she complained about the fact that it would limit her creativity and asked me, “What about people who don’t like cats?” As if! Who wouldn’t adore six pounds of gray tabby with big green eyes and a sweet purr? Besides, I try to say things like “mom” and “no”. I’m really good at the second one. Anyway, when Mom told me that I could do book reviews and author interviews sometimes, but she reserved the right to decide what gets posted, I found a discreet place on the living room couch to sharpen my claws.

I need to find something to do while Mom and Dad aren’t here to annoy, so I read. My first book review will be for Hearts Crossing by Marianne Evans.

Landscape architect, Daveny Montgomery, and high school English teacher, Collin Edwards, meet when he helps out during the landscaping around Woodland Church of Christ. Daveny wonders why he doesn’t go to church with his family. Collin is intrigued by the talented and hardworking Daveny.

Collin has been running from God, but the more time he spends with Daveny, the more he realizes he must face the bitterness a tragedy caused. Will Daveny wait on God and give Collin a chance? Will Collin open up to Daveny and look to God for healing? It’s a great story of hope for those who care about prodigals, at least that’s what Mom said.

The hero and heroine were compelling. I mean, I could almost feel their humanness. Ms. Evans gives her characters real depth and both Mom and I really enjoyed this novella. Even though cats weren’t integral to the plot and there’s no mention of eating grass as a delicacy, rather than just planting it, I give this story four paws up! (Since I don’t have opposable thumbs. Rats!)

Leave a comment or follow if you want to be entered into a drawing for an Amazon gift card this week!