DOUBLE IDENTITY

(A Young Adult Novel about Identical Twins) 

by K. Dawn Byrd 

K. Dawn Byrd is a Christian novelist. Today, she will tell us about her writing and about her walk with the Lord.

Welcome K. Dawn. We are so glad you came today. 

I would like to start with your personal walk with the Lord before you tell us about your writing. Can you tell us a little about that? 

K. Dawn:

I believe it's impossible for a Christian's worldview not to seep into their novels in some ways. For example, there are certain things I won't write about and certain words I won't use. My novels always contain at least one Christian and one non-Christian. Many of my novels are very realistic in that they portray what an individual would do or would not do in certain situations. For example, I don't go into graphic detail, but my readers will know that Cassie in Double Identity is not a virgin. However, Bree is saving herself for marriage and when she begins to think that her boyfriend is attracted to Cassie because she looks just like her, she's terrified that he'll like her since she's willing.

Molly:

The story sounds timely and interesting. And I happen to love books about identical twins. My fraternal grandmother was a twin, and my Love Inspired novel, Brides and Blessings, was about identical twins.

So K. Dawn, why did you decide to write a book about identical twins? And why is your book for young adults? Why did you select that age group?

K.:

I love writing for young adults! My other books are suspense. Young adult is a wonderful break from writing dark novels. A co-worker of mine has identical twins. We were talking about some of the problems they might face later when they become teens. Teens put so much emphasis on looks that I began to wonder how a girl would know her boyfriend loves her instead of her sister since they're identical.

Molly:

Thanks. Now tell us a little about the plot of your story. 

K.:

Seventeen-year old Bree has always wanted a sister. She's shocked when she learns that her father is alive and her identical twin sister, Cassie, is coming to live with her. She can't wait for Cassie to arrive. She just knows they'll be best friends. 

Bree soon discovers that even though they look alike, they're totally different. Cassie is wild and impulsive. She hates Bree's little town and everything in it, except Bree's boyfriend, Luke. When Cassie becomes obsessed with Luke, she'll go to any length to have him for herself. 

Luke has a secret, which Cassie learns and uses against him. She's off her medication and will stop at nothing. She says he's in love with her. He says he loves Bree. Will their secrets destroy them and their relationships?

Molly:

You said that Bree and Cassie looked alike but were totally different. I assume you were talking about their personalities being different. Give us some examples of ways they were different. Then tell us some ways they were alike other than their appearance. For example, were they both left handed? Did they like the same foods and dislike the same foods? Stuff like that. 

K.: 

Yes, Molly, their personalities are totally different. Bree is a sweet, young Christian girl. She dresses very modestly, doesn't lie, and tries to live the way Jesus would want. Her twin, Cassie, is the exact opposite. She's a wild, party girl who dresses to impress the guys. Bree is saving herself or marriage, but Cassie is known to sleep around. In addition, Cassie suffers from bipolar disorder. A big part of the story is what happens when she goes off her medication and goes after Bree's boyfriend.

Molly:

How much research on twins was required to write this book? And tell us some interesting information she learned from read the material.

K.:

I really didn't do any research at all. A co-worker has identical twins and we talked about them some, but other than that I thought about how it would feel to know that there's someone else in the world identical to you. I'm thinking it would cause some real problems for teenagers. A girl would wonder if her boyfriend likes her sister also since they look just alike. I'm sure it would cause some insecurity.

Molly:

Tell the names of your future novels and when they will be published.

K.:

Future releases are: Something Beautiful (young adult romance, January 21); Hotline Girl (young adult romance, June 21); Luck of the  Draw (young adult romance, November 11).

Molly:

How can our readers obtain a copy of Double Identity, and is it an e-book, in paperback or both? 

K.:

Currently, Double Identity is available only in ebook format. It's available at Amazon, B&N, CBD and many other ebook outlets.

Molly:

Thanks for stopping by K. Dawn Byrd. Come back soon.  

Be His Witness By Demonstrating With-ness

Matthew 1:23 The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel—which means, “God with us.”

John 1:1-2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.

God’s with-ness to us and ours to His children has been on my mind a great many years. It started when I counseled young, successful, perfectionist women who never felt they measured up to all God wanted them to do. I used to remind them of the story of Mary and Martha and who had done the better thing (Luke 10:38-42). I told them they were created human beings and not human doings. God’s ultimate goal for us is to be with us in heaven for eternity—relationship. This state of being is exemplified in His name I am, Who am. Though He has done countless, extraordinary things, nowhere in the Bible is He entitled I do, because, though He may call us to action, the best action starts with relationship.

Then my son was born. My son with autism who is delayed in so many of those things we use to measure success in an individual—including speech. He could never tell me he loved me, and I could not be sure he understood when I told him. The only way I could communicate my love was in my with-ness. Being there for him in good times and in bad.

He understood.  

How do I know this? Because he is the first to show others this state of being in times of need. He’s sought out troubled souls in large gatherings to kiss them for no apparent reason, lighting up their sorrowed faces. He’s come into a different room to look into my eyes, because somehow he knew I was crying. He sits with me when I feel alone, and reminds me to pray when I’m distraught.

One time, when he was about three, after his father had just come home from a trip and we were catching up on all that had happened while he’d been gone, my son slowly scooted my husband closer to me in the kitchen. Then he scooted me closer to my husband. No words. He went back and forth a few times until our bodies met—my husband, still chatting on as he did. Then, he wrapped his arms around both our legs. He knew what we really needed to catch up on—being with.

This is what God ultimately wants from us. It’s what His son gave us while He was here. It is how we demonstrate Godliness to those who do not know God. It doesn’t take words. It takes relationship.

Just over a week ago, our nation saw a tragedy in a massive shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, where twenty children and six adults were murdered. A friend of mine asked me, “What do you say to those who’ve just experienced that kind of loss?” The answer is, “Nothing.” Any words will sound trite—things the hearer already knows or is not ready to hear. James 1:19 tells us to be slow to speak and quick to listen. It’s part of being with, and yet it is one of the hardest things for us to actually do, because it feels like we are doing nothing at all.

I bet you think this message is strange coming from a writer whose ministry is in the use of words. But it’s one of those things that makes me even more attuned to the vulnerability of them. They can be purposeful and life-giving. Yet without relationship to give them credibility, they are just etchings on a page or noise in the air. So, remember, while flexing your skill to be a better “witness” for the Lord, make sure you demonstrate His Love through your With-ness.

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Connie is a 2012 Genesis semi-finalist for Women’s Fiction. She was awarded an Honorable Mention in the Winter 2012 WOW Flash Fiction Contest for her entry, Why Not to Kiss on a Park Bench (aka. Harold and Violet). Come visit her on one of her other blogs: Living the Body of Christ InfiniteCharacters.com

Wouldn't it be Glorious?

by Teresa Slack

My mother and each of my three sisters are writers of one form or another. The youngest, Marcie, has currently focused her gifts on articles and poetry. She recently sent me this poem that was published in her local newspaper. I loved it and thought I would share it here at Writer's Rest. Enjoy and have a wonderful, merry Christmas.

Wouldn't it be Glorious?

Wouldn't it be glorious
If we didn't just give in the Christmas season?
If we donated food and clothing
For no particular reason.
If we didn't fret over baking cookies and fudge
And worried less about getting Mom jewelry
And more about forgetting a grudge.
We worry about "Black Friday"
And lights upon the tree
Instead of remembering the precious baby
Who should be worshiped on bended knee.
Sure, we all enjoy getting presents
And when Hubby buys us an expensive ring
But we seem to be less concerned
With the coming of our King.
Our kids can't wait for Santa Claus
While they listen for reindeer paws
But how much do they know about Jesus
Who loves us "just because"?
Wouldn't it be glorious
If we thought of that barn in the cold
And tried to envision the angels
And the good news they told?
Wouldn't it be glorious
If Jesus got a birthday cake
And we recalled the sacrifice that Mary and
Joseph had to make
Because our God wanted it to be so
For all of mankind's sake.

Written by Marcie Diane Hooley. 

MEET THE PULP FICTION GUY

Meet Charles Beckman:

                                           

By Molly Noble Bull

Suspense, Suspicion & Shockers is a new book by Charles Boeckman, a multi-published novelist, journalist, writing instructor, musician, bandleader, and legend in his own time. He and his wife, Patti, wrote 26 Silhouette romance novels back in the 1980’s under the name Patti Beckman. Recently, Charles and Patti produced an anthology of reprints of his collectable pulp stories that Charles wrote beginning in 1945. 

Welcome. It's great to have you here today. Can you explain what pulp fiction is, and tell us about your book?

Charles: 

Pulp fiction was reading matter for the masses before television brought visual stories into our homes. The name “pulp” comes from the woody, pulp paper used in those monthly publications. They often cost a dime and contained about ten stories. They represented every genre of fiction you can think of and included novels. They died out with the advent of television, but interest in them has resurfaced in recent decades with fans scattered all across the U.S. who buy, sell, and collect those vintage magazines. Some also write original stories, called new pulp, in the style of the early pulps. Because of the avid interest of pulp fans in those stories, which today are hailed as the precursors of all the genres of contemporary fiction, Patti and I decided to put together an anthology of 24 of my pulp stories, which were mainly suspense and surprise-ending stories with universal appeal. Having that many vintage stories in one volume from a pulp author who is still living is rare. It received rave reviews on Amazon from two expert reviewers and writers of new pulp fiction.

Charles is noted for the emotional tone he brings to his stories, for his characters, and for his musical backgrounds. 

SUSPENSE, SUSPICION & SHOCKERS is available on Amazon.

Molly: 

Thanks, Charles and Patti. Come back soon.  
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Molly's newest e-book titled BEDTIME STORIES FOR BELIEVERS is a collection of eight short stories for Christian adults and will be published and available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Kobo by Tuesday, December 18, 2012.  

And don't forget that Cinderella Texas is available now as an e-book and will soon be published in paperback. Write Molly Noble Bull in the search slot to find all Molly's books.    

MERRY HEART MEDICINE

by Molly Noble Bull

A merry heart is good, like a medicine. But a broken spirit dries the bones.

Proverbs 9:7

We’ve all complained at one time of another. Yet the Old Testament is full of examples, explaining that the Lord doesn’t like complainers. He wants us to be happy in the good times as well as in bad.

Why?

I think being happy even when times are bad proves that we believe the Bible—that we believe that all things work together for good to them that love the Lord.

Making a joyful noise unto the Lord if you just won the lottery is a given. But what if your home burned to the ground, your children are sick or your marriage is in shambles?

Can you make that joyful sound then? Or do other emotions kick in? 

After being rescued from slavery in Egypt and walking across the sea on dry land, the Children of Israel complained about their plight in the wilderness. Some wanted to go back to Egypt. They might be slaves again, but at least they would get to spice up their food a little.

As humans, many of us want spicy—spicy food, spicy movies and TV shows, spicy gossip. The list goes on and on. Yet nobody wants ones bones to dry up.

Doing what God wants us to do when we want to do something else is never easy. God says turn right. We want to turn left. In our minds, it is obvious that turning left is the right decision—to do otherwise would be embarrassing and could lead to a dangerous situation. But faith is doing it God’s way, not our way, and that means trusting Him and making a joyful noise when we don’t feel like it.

The Bible says that the Lord lives in the praises of His people. Think about that for a moment. If you are sad, in trouble or in a dangerous situation and want to be close to the Lord, all you really need to do is praise Him. When you do, He is at your side. Guaranteed.

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My new Christian e-book novel, Cinderella Texas, is available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. To find Cinderella Texas and all my Christian novels, write Molly Noble Bull in the search slot. And look for Bedtime Stories for Believers, a book of short stories for Christian adults, coming out as an e-book soon. 

Why Do We Only Pray for “Daily Bread?”

One of the problems with learning to memorize Bible verses from an early age is that sometimes the words become so common place we forget to delve into the depths of their meaning. When I was a little girl, I loved the story of Joseph. Not because it was about God’s plan for Israel or about a brother who forgave, submitting his poor treatment by his siblings to the work of the Lord. I liked it because the younger brother got one over on the older ones. I almost wanted to stick my tongue out and tell my sisters I’d be ruling over them one day—like Joseph. Oh, the simplicity of youth.

Of course I see the story differently now as I pray with my sisters in time of need or rejoice at how God is using them. But when I was younger, I didn’t understand.

There are many things in the Bible that plagued me because of this lack of maturity. One had always been the word “daily” in The Lord’s Prayer. Why would we only pray for our daily bread when there is a lifetime of bread to be had? Did God want us to eat other foods on other days? I’m guessing not, since we’re expected to pray the prayer on a regular basis.

 In fact, that’s the reason for the daily bread prayer in the first place. Think about it. If God had given us all we wanted on that first day, or if we only needed to pray to never be hungry in one sitting, would we go back to Him tomorrow? I’m sorry to say I don’t think I would have. And as a result, I’d have missed out on a daily relationship with Him.

So, I pray for my bread (literal and figurative) every morning, and expect He will provide it. Then, tomorrow, I drop to my knees, hang out with the Lord some more, and ask for it again. I’m beginning to like these visits with the King, requesting what only He can give, because I find, in the time I spend with Him, I receive so much more than daily bread.



Connie is a 2012 Genesis semi-finalist for Women’s Fiction. She was awarded an Honorable Mention in the Winter 2012 WOW Flash Fiction Contest for her entry, Why Not to Kiss on a Park Bench (aka. Harold and Violet). Come visit her on one of her other blogs: Living the Body of Christ InfiniteCharacters.com

Who Stirred the Storyteller in You?

My grandmother was a storyteller. Back before Ipods & smartphones & elaborate gaming systems--even before cable for that matter!--my three sisters & I would sit enraptured at her feet as she shared memories from her childhood. Grandpa was the same. Only his allegedly true stories were so outlandish & scary even the littlest among us didn't believe them. But, boy, did we beg for those stories every time we came to visit.

After I grew up I discovered that another grandfather, who died before I was born, was also a storyteller and natural entertainer. He dabbled in poetry and songwriting. Unfortunately none of these important and special people in my life were inclined to write any of those stories down. Over the years the stories have become blurred and fuzzy in my memory so that now all I really remember is the comfort & love I experienced while listening. It's no mystery that I was drawn to spinning my own stories. And not just to keep the kids entertained on long summer afternoons. I wanted to share my stories with the world. Sadly none of the three people who awoke my love for storytelling are around to read the words I pen. Someday I may be able to share that love with them, but until then I'll keep telling stories through my keyboard.

What about you? Who influenced your passion for storytelling? Are they still here to share your victories and disappointments as you struggle to put those stories to paper before they are lost forever? Or maybe you're the one igniting the love of storytelling in those around you. Whatever you do, take the time to write those stories down. They are fleeting. Someday someone will wish they could recall your words and wish you were here to share them again.