Shaken to the Core by Marjorie Parker

I (Debra) have had the pleasure of meeting a North Texas author who is known for her children’s books, but has recently published a devotional book for adults which I found unique, helpful, and beautiful. It’s kinda amusing the way we became acquainted with each other. For years now, the lady who does our taxes has been trying to get me to call this author because our tax lady felt the author could help get me published. Unfortunately, that’s not the way the industry works, so I never did call. However, this year as I sat down to do my taxes, I saw this beautiful devotional book on our tax lady’s desk.

As I flipped through the pages, I was in awe. This beautiful book targets an audience needing hope and comfort for troubled times. The devotional also has segments which draw upon a physical therapist’s insights. There are powerful personal stories and timeless truths from the Bible, these devotions for troubled times offer hope and comfort. Tying body and soul together in a unique way, each devotion contains spiritual workouts as well as gentle exercises and stretches for those able to perform them.

So, I decided to call this author and had a delightful conversation with her. This led to me requesting an interview with her. She readily agreed.

Interview with Marjorie Parker

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

            I grew up in Fort Worth, Texas, and loved writing from the time I was very young.  My neighborhood friends and I created a newspaper we called “The Crestwood Poop,” and we gathered news from neighbors, typed it (longest story was probably 5 lines) and then sold it door to door for 10 cents.  We had a blast.

             I come from a long line of writers, starting with my great-grandmother.  My mom said that as a very young child I told her, “I like it when I hear the clack-ity-clack of your typewriter, because then I know you’re happy.” Mom was often in her home office typing a story or writing on a book about her adventures as a Women’s Airforce Service Pilot (WASP) in WWII. (She finally got that book published when she was 70!)  Mom taught me all I know about writing, along with the teachers in high school that took an interest in me and my Texas Tech journalism professors. To graduate with a journalism degree, I was required to have a story published in a slick magazine, which I did, and to serve as newspaper intern, which I did at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.  (I probably learned one of the most important things for a writer at the Star-Telegram – they forced me to think at the typewriter instead of writing in longhand and transposing to type.  That was invaluable later.)  

            Then when I married Joe and moved to the country to his family’s ranch (we were on the banks of the Red River – beautiful, and remote!), I sold my first fiction about a fire we had on the ranch (in the Country Gentleman magazine).  I also became a part-time feature writer and columnist for the Wichita Falls Times/Record News.  I retired from the paper and started free-lance writing after our daughters were born, and wrote some children’s stories in my free time.  I had many, many rejections!  But my ever-encouraging Mom said, “The difference in being a writer and being an author is keeping on keeping on until you finally get published.”  Standard Publishing finally gave me my start, accepting my devotional book “Fun Devotions for Kids,” then another, “Jellyfish Can’t Swim,” then two stories for an anthology, “God is On Your Side.”  I was really on a roll until my editor got promoted to another area, and the new editor never took another thing from me!

What do you find most challenging about writing?

            The most challenging thing to me is marketing. It’s so much fun to write it (and even re-write and edit) and it’s so hard to sell it!  Right now some really major marketing changes are happening, too. I’ve lived through many changes, though.  In my 40 years of writing, I’ve morphed from using a typewriter and correction ribbon to a computer, from queries to e-queries and hardbacks to e-books.  Thankfully, my technologically challenged self can use a computer, although I curse the thing a bit more often than I bless it!

You are a native Texan. In your children's books, do you use Texas as your settings?

My first success with non-devotional children’s books was with a publisher that I met at a Cattle Raiser’s convention through a friend of mine. This small publisher, Bright Sky Press, loved anything with a Texas flavor and liked to encourage new writers.  Luckily, Texas was the setting in “Assault, the Crippled Champion” which was based on the true story of a King Ranch horse named Assault, who was crippled as a colt and limped so much that no one thought he’d amount to anything.  He went on to become Texas’ only born and bred Triple Crown Champion. I heard that story while visiting King Ranch and was given permission to write it for kids. (And, coincidentally, the publisher happened to be very good friends with a member of the King Ranch family.)  

 In “David and the Mighty Eighth,” the setting is WWII England, where our 8^th Air Force was stationed.  One of the heroes in it is a pilot named “Tex” since I knew that would appease my “Texas niche” publisher.  This story, too, is based on a true story.  It’s about a boy growing up in war-torn England who had a wonderful relationship with an American flight crew.  Joe and I have become close friends with that man and his wife, and they’ve visited us and vice-versa.  THAT book promotion was fun – we spoke at the 600-year-old British school where David attended, and I was interviewed on the BBC!

Tell us about your new devotional book. The idea of combining physical, emotional, and spiritual healing is such a clever idea. How did you come about the idea?

          My writing for adults has mostly been with Daily Guideposts (writing devotionals) and Guideposts.  My first adult book has recently come out – entitled “Shaken to the Core (And Finding God’s Strength)”.  You asked how I came about the idea – it was God’s idea!  Really!  I was walking into a hotel room – not even praying or reading the Bible – when a very distinct voice inside my head said, “I want you to write a devotional book about the human body.”  It’s funny that I wasn’t what my kids would call “weirded out” by receiving a message like that. I was surprised, but mainly I was excited.

            

           When I got home, I started researching body trivia to write a children’s devotional book, since my experience was in that genre.  However, when I sent a few chapters to my editor (one that I paid for writing advice), she told me it was too much like a science lesson and wouldn’t interest kids.  So I filed it away, thinking I’d misunderstood what God meant. I awaited further instruction.

Have you had an experience where you have found your devotional useful?

            It was probably 8-10 years later that I developed a “mystery illness” that left me so exhausted, achy and shaky, that I couldn’t do much of anything.  And in prayer I asked God to show me His purpose in that suffering, since I certainly wasn’t able to do anything for Him in the shape I was in. Right as I prayed that prayer a-knowledge (not a voice this time) came into my head that I would have to suffer a little before I could write about it. And I immediately knew – I’d just received the final instruction for that body devotional book!  It was to be directed toward suffering people – adults!  I started right away on the book, and it was the most joyful period of my life as I researched scripture, interviewed people going through hard times, and used my own family stories to give others hope.   

            Many ideas of body trivia came from the physical therapy I was taking, so I asked my Physical Therapist if she would design exercises to go with each devotional.  I researched a lot for body facts, too.  My very kind stomach doctor checked my information to be sure the facts were right, and Ken Gire, a wonderful author and high school friend of mine, gave me great suggestions when he edited it.  And of course, my dear Mom was my #1 editor and helper.  I couldn’t have done it without her suggestions and help. (I finally discovered what was wrong with me while writing the book, and I tell about that in it. It turned out to be a “perfect storm” of inflammation, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), and disc degeneration.)

            When I was diagnosed with breast cancer last spring, I was in the final edits of the book (which I had thought was “late” since it had been scheduled to come out in the spring).  When I got the cancer phone call, I had just re-read the whole manuscript and been freshly reminded of God’s promises, His power, grace, help and hope. I felt an incredible peace that lasted through the mastectomy and recovery.  I had thought I was writing the book for others, but it wound up comforting ME!  God has a wonderful sense of humor.

What plans do you have for your next writing project?

            I have two ideas for new writing projects, but can’t quite figure out how to carve out the time to do them just yet – we’ve got a daughter marrying this summer, and I’m trying to promote my new book, plus travel with my husband’s volunteer job as President of Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raiser’s Assoc. But both ideas are for young readers, and I suppose it’s because now that I’m a very delighted grandmother, kids are at the center of my heart once again.  

To learn more about Marjorie Parker visit this web address:

 http://www.marjorieparker.com/index.htm

To purchase a copy of Shaken to the Core visit this web address:

http://www.brightskypress.com/infostore/ca.cart.asp?sAction=DisplayDetails&pid=198

EMPOWERING CHARACTER EMOTIONS by Margie Lawson

If you haven't looked through our index of subject material below, take a look. In our writing, we find ourselves from time to time in need of information on how to edit, or the best way to plot. You'll find help in storyboarding, writing scenes or creating trailers. What you need awaits you even if it's a word of encouragement.

Books to Write by blog supports online courses by Margie Lawson. I checked our topics below and found two such posts. One discusses Margie's DEEP EDITING course and the other is entitled DEFEATING SELF-DEFEATING BEHAVIORS. Courses offered online give you a great writing workshop in the privacy of your home and at your preferred time.

During the month of February, 2012, this humble writer took an in depth study with Margie Lawson on EMPOWERING CHARACTER EMOTIONS. My critique partners constantly mark my manuscript with "ramp up the emotions." I write character-driven stories, but even if one tends more toward plot-driven, you must grab the reader by the emotion, be it fear or anger or excitement.

The benefit of her unique deep editing procedure is invaluable. I learned again that I don't add enough description. Without using her method, I could read my same chapter over and over and not realize my problem. The reader did not "see" my hero and heroine. I gave no insight into how they looked. Margie states that every time we introduce a new character, we should have at least a line or a phrase of description.

Remember the biggest percent of our communication is non-verbal. To write great dialogue, we must master body language. Margie looks at characters through a psychologist viewpoint. How the character stands or where they put their hands gives a different slant to their words. Sometimes, characters don't speak at all, but they show a lot.

A Margie Lawson course stuffs my brain and overworks my imagination, but I learn volumes, I strengthen my writing with power words, or empowered phrases, and I finish a better writer than when I began.

Three years have passed since I took my last Margie course. It was time for me. If you haven't taken one before, or if it has been awhile, I recommend you enroll. Is it time for you to take a Margie course?

LONE STAR JUSTICE by Robert M. Utley

 The novel I'm (Debra) working on now includes a Texas Ranger as one of the leads. For Christmas, I received from my husband, two books on the evolution of the Texas Rangers. The book I will review today is, LONE STAR JUSTICE, The First Century of the Texas Rangers, by Robert M. Utley.

Author: Robert M. Utley

Website: http://www.robertutley.net/

Purchase: http://us.penguingroup.com/

Pros: What I love about this book is the detailed historical accuracy of the rise and fall and rise again of the Texas Rangers. While reading the book, the author captures a mental picture of history and makes the reader imagine it as if history was unfolding like a movie. the author incorporates a blend of narrative and dialogue taken straight from 19th century journals. I also appreciate the thoroughness of the author's research which is quite evident from the beginning.

The book includes early pictures and images of early artist renderings of battles scenes. I particulary enjoyed the images of real life heroes of the past, such as Sam Houston, Sam Walker, and Leander H. McNelly. You hear of such Texas heroes and it is a pleasure to put a face with a name.

Cons: This book is an awesome book filled with historical facts, perfect for my research. The only complaint I have is that the book is heavy on battle scenes and I grew weary of reading one skirmish after another. I would've enjoyed more information on historical characters and their relationships. However, that is only an opinion. My son who adores reading of battle scenes would enjoy this book, but I'm more of a romance writer. I love getting to know characters better.

One Way to Write a Novel. by Vicki Hinze

One Way to Write A Novel by Vicki Hinze is one of my downloads on my Kindle which I received a an early Christmas gift. I downloaded her book at the suggestion of another writer on a Loop I am a member of. I'm glad I followed that writer's advice.

I am definitely not going to delete her book from my Kindle because I know I'll want to refer to different sections frequently.

Some things that I found helpful on my first read were : "Common Errors to Avoid", "Should You Write the Book?", "How to Make a Story Binder", and "Making a Story Board".

Her advice is practical and easy to understand. She makes sure you understand her terminology by giving a definition and examples as needed.

I was especially impressed with the list of questions she provided at the beginning of her book that helps the reader decide if the idea the writer is considering is worth pursuing. This alone can save the author the disappointment of spending months on writing a book that will never be finished or poorly finished.

I have "sort of" worked on a binder for my story as well as a story board. After reading her book, I'm going to finish those two projects and get on with my book.

Ms. Hinze is a successful author of books and articles. I have not read her books before, but I'm going to select one to download to my Kindle. Check out One Way to Write A Novel. You'll be glad you did.

Writer's Digest magazine

Long before I heard of writer's conferences, workshops or yahoo loops, I subscribed to Writer's Digest magazine. As a young mother, I had no contact with other writers except through this magazine and the books sold by Writer's Digest.

Life demanded too much time. I bade my time until my children were grown and retirement from work was feasible to begin again to learn the craft of writing and submitting for publication.

I joined Romance Writers of America, American Christian Fiction Writers, Christian Writers Fellowship Intl., and Oklahoma Writers Federation Intl. I attended conferences. I learned in workshops. I registered in online courses, and with three of my friends, I began blogging on this site.

Until about two years ago, the one thing I didn't do to improve my writing career was subscribe to Writer's Digest magazine. When I did, wow, what a treasure I found in that medium. Books and courses are sold online, but if you haven't subscribed to the hard copy magazine, you're missing out.

September's issue gave me the top ten genres and the secret to their success.

A sample of invaluable information I found came from the October issue. "Your first 50 Pages" broke down "4 Goals for your Beginning" by Les Edgerton, "Second Scenes" by Nancy Kress, and "4 Ways to Bond your Reader & Characters" by James Scott Bell.

I waited to get the November magazine to tell me about "Your last 50 pages," and I highlighted everything in the article "Spin Subplots like a Master Weaver" by Elizabeth Simm."

Now, I've received my December copy and guess what? I'm reading Steven James on "6 Secrets to Creating and Sustaining Suspense" (a problem I continually work with) and I can't wait to read "Timeless Novel Advice" from Stephen King and other giants in the business.

If you haven't taken a look at the newest version of an old learning tool, search out Writer's Digest magazine. I can't tell you how often I've read and refered back to the articles that purchased as separate books or courses would cost me many times more.

The Whitehouse Cookbook (1887) Cooking, Toilet, and Household Recipes, Menus, Dinner-Giving, Table Etiquette, Care of the Sick, Health Suggestions, Facts...Cyclopedia of Information for the Home

I have heard several people comment about Amazon.com having free Kindle books for free downloads, but haven't even bothered to check it out because (((gasp))) I don't own a Kindle or any other digital reading device. At present, I'm one of those readers who enjoy holding the book in my hands. However, since I write historical fiction, I'm always on the look out for research material. My fellow blogger, Sue sent me a link for a free Kindle download from Amazon.com for the book, The Whitehouse Cookbook (1887) Cooking, Toilet and Household Recipes, Menus, Dinner-Giving, Table Etiquette, Care for the Sick, Health Suggestion, Facts...Cyclopedia of Information for the Home by Fanny Lemira Gillette.

I followed the link to find that Amazon.com has a download for people like me who aren't ready to commit to purchasing a Kindle. It is called Kindle for PC. Readers can use this download to install a Kindle program on their computer and voila!!! Readers can enjoy any Kindle book on Amazon.com.

After having downloaded Kindle for PC, I then noticed that the cookbook link my friend sent me wasn't the only free book on Amazon.com. Most all the popular classics, such as Pride and Prejudice, Aesop's Fables, Treasure Island, and so many more books are free.


The Whitehouse Cookbook was an interesting read and one I can use for development of my stories and maybe even useless information that I find amusing. Did you know since I have downloaded this treasure trove of information that I now possess the recipe for Squirrel Soup? Green Turtle Soup? What I'd really like to know is what in the world are the finer parts of the turtle and where exactly is the green fat found? There is even a recipe for Frogs Fried and Frogs Stewed. Only the hind-legs and quarters are used.


I have even discovered a recipe that has been used my mother's family for generations which we seemed to have shortened over the years. We have enjoyed Salmon Croquettes (I'm supposing southern-style) and have passed the recipe on to our children. The recipe I received from my mother was 1-canned salmon, bread crumbs, and egg. Mix together. Form patties. Fry them in hot grease. Serve with milk gravy. However, here is the 1887 version of the same recipe but I think probably more richer with more calories.

Salmon Croquettes

One pound of cooked salmon (about one and a half pints when chopped), one cup of cream, two tablespoonfuls of butter, one tablespoonful of flour, three eggs, one pint of crumbs, pepper and salt; chop the salmon fine, mix the flour and butter together, let the cream come to a boil, and stir in the flour and butter, salmon and seasoning; boil one minute; stir in one well-beaten egg, and remove from the fire; when cold make into croquettes; dip in beaten egg, roll in crumbs and fry. Canned salmon can be used.

I had no idea salmon came canned in 1887. Who knew? The same recipe is used for every meat listed in the cookbook: salmon, lobster, crab, oysters, chicken, and beef. The beef croquettes adds hot mashed potatoes.

The book also teaches the housewife to cook all manner of organs. Beef hearts, beef liver, boiled beef and tongue. I'm not quite certain about all the recipes of which meat is used to make pudding. In my mind, I'm seeing vanilla and chocolate pudding, perhaps even fruit flavored puddings, but meat? Veal pudding sounded almost promising with its addition of bacon, but I'm not sure what a suet crust is or what a pudding cloth is either? Maybe I need a dictionary to go along with my reading? But by far, the worst pudding I read was Black Pudding. The main ingredient is coagulated blood of a pig. Yep, those plucky pioneers didn't let anything go to waste.

Here's a recipe that will really wake up your appetite. Calf's Head boiled. I won't give you the details of the recipe because after that Black Pudding recipe I'm a feeling a little nauseous. But think Calf's Head equals Spam.

Ooh, did you know that ketchup or as pioneers called it, Catsup was around back in 1887? The recipes say that if you bottle your catsup immediately while hot, and tightly sealed it will keep good for years. But red catsup wasn't the only one they had. There's a recipe for green tomato catsup too. That reminds me of the green or purple ketchup Heinz came out with years ago. The cookbook also lists walnut catsup, oyster catsup, mushroom catsup, and other flavors like gooseberry, cucumber, currant, apple, celery, and spiced vinegar catsup.

As far as helpful information, the cookbook has planned menus for the holidays and a sample menu for a White House State Dinner...think French food. A menu for Mrs. Cleveland's wedding lunch June 4, 1888 is also listed...again think French food or French words I cannot pronounce or even try to spell. Etiquette for the White House is listed as well with the disclaimer: Etiquette as observed in European courts is not known at the White House.  Funny? I didn't know Rednecks were around then. Information is then listed on how to check your coat in at the cloakroom as well as where to sit. Then the menu is given. The first course is French style (no surprise there), second service is sweet dishes, third service includes desserts, fruits, ice, cakes, and all principal dishes are presented to the President before serving the guests. I was disappointed to learn that the fancy folding of napkins in 1887 was considered out of fashion. A plain square folded napkin with the monogram in the middle was preferred.

For treating the sick, the cookbook cautions housewives to consider the needs of the sick first. Don't serve an invalid milk for this may constipate the patient. As a rule, invalids should be served their food in small, delicate pieces in dainty dishes. Some recipes for ailments include serving an alcoholic beverage of Blackberry Cordial to infants to relieve pain from teething and summer diseases. Yeah, I bet they didn't feel any pain. Colds are due to men sealing the house up tight during winter. The family can stave off suffering from a cold if they drink a whiskey or a glass or two of beer before supper. After a few glasses, I'm sure they didn't suffer from anything.

A toothache can be cured by saturating a piece of gauze and lying it on the tooth. Follow that with a mixture of Alum powder and salt. To cure an earache: puff tobacco smoke into the sufferer's ear. For a burn, use butter and if that doesn't help add baking soda, the yellow of an egg, and apply with a feather. Of course, with a little flour and sugar and vanilla they could also make cookies to keep the burn victim's mind off the pain. For a sore throat, gargle with hot, salt water with a little alum and honey. Follow this with bacon soaked in hot vinegar applied to the throat as hot as possible. The sick can even gargle with equal parts of borax and alum. They can gargle and do their laundry at the same time.

One last recipe for the sick. A cure for felons: take a common rock, heat it in the oven, pound it fine, and mix with the spirits of turpentine. Put it in a rag and wrap the felon. In twenty-four hours you are cured and the felon is dead. My question is how can you convince the felon to allow you to wrap him in turpentine? That or maybe nineteenth century folks defined felon different than we define it.

Toward the end of the book, there are helpful laundry hints like how to wash black lace and how to wash feathers. Who said 19th century brides were prudish? Did you know that washing feathers required ironing too? Adding alum to the rinse water will keep dresses uninflammable.

I leave you today with a few facts worth knowing:

To Prevent Oil from Becoming Rancid - Drop a few drops of ether into the bottle containing it.

Slicing Pineapples: - The knife used for peeling a pineapple should not be used for slicing it, as the rind contains an acid that is apt to cause a swollen mouth and sore lips. The Cubans use salt as an antidote for the ill effects of the peel.

Choking: - a piece of food lodged in the throat may sometimes be pushed down with the finger, or removed with a hair-pin quickly straightened and hooked at the end, or by two or three vigorous blows on the back between the shoulders.


Table Etiquette: - Be careful to keep the mouth shut closely while masticating the food. It is the opening of the lips which causes the smacking which seems very disgusting.

The Prodigal by Elizabeth Lee and The Visionary by Pamela S. Thibodeaux

This last month I've learned a lot by reading the works of two new authors, one, completely new, the other, only new to me. Both books speak of healing and redemption in seemingly impossible situations.

Ms. Lee self published her first book "The Prodigal" with Kindle Direct Publishing and Smashwords. This inspirational women's fiction deals with two sisters and a mother thrown into heavy, real life situations such as abuse and depression. They find it hard to deal with life and harder to continue belief in God. I asked Ms. Lee what she liked about her chosen mode of publishing. She liked "the speed of getting out the book." Standard publishing avenues often held up her book for months while she desired to get out her message of hope. She advised that "with the proper format and good cover, her book could go into a premium catalog and be distributed on iBooks and Nook." Good advice given by Ms. Lee for anyone else interested in formatting a book for this medium of publishing is "to get the Smashwords guide on Smashwords.com and follow the directions word by word. Do not skip steps. Then you adjust for Kindle guidelines. It takes a bit of time, but it's well worth the effort and it's free." This new author also has a historical "Honor and Lies" published in the same way. I've learned a lot about this new avenue of publishing as well as I enjoyed an enthralling story. I recommend checking it out.


I met Pam Thibodeaux, a native of Lake Charles, Louisiana now that she's moved to Texas. She's written for years and has come to be known by a tagline "inspirational with an edge." Her newest book "The Visionary" will be released on Nov. 16, 2011, but can be advanced ordered at the present time. Pam's writing was new to me, so I read this new book with no expectations, just curiosity. Truthfully, few people could handle the delicate topic of devastation caused from sexual abuse as a child leading to murder. This book demonstrates the breadth of God's grace. The tender way which she illustrates hope over a dark, untalked-about subject is unrivaled. I asked Ms. Thibodeaux what she liked about her publishers. "They are author-friendly - patient in helping new authors understand their rules without making them feel ashamed or embarrased." Besides women's fiction, she also writes inspirational romance and creative non-fiction. You can find her on www.pamelathibodeaux.com to learn more. I found her helpful and knowledgeable in all aspects of writing and her book, captivating.