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Tanara McCauley

~ Love Knows Color

Tanara McCauley

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Blog Hop – My Writing Life

04 Wednesday Jun 2014

Posted by tanaramccauley in Writing and Pursuing Publication

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

American Christian Fiction Writers, amwriting, authors, blog hop, blogging, c. joy allen, Christian fiction, christian writers of the west, contemporary fiction, contemporary romance, editing, novel, pantser, plotter, robin w. pearson, ruth a. douthitt, series, writers, writing, young adult

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I’ve been asked to participate in a blog hop. The assignment is to answer four questions about my writing, then select three other authors to answer the same questions on their blogs within the next couple of weeks. Be sure to see the links to their blogs at the end of this post and find out more about these wonderful writers. A huge thanks to Dana McNeely, president of Christian Writers of the West, for inviting me to participate! You can find her answers to these same questions on the Christian Writers of the West blog.

What are you working on?

I am finishing up my second novel, which is actually the third book in the series I am working on. It’s a contemporary romance about a Major League baseball player who’s managed to maintain a low key lifestyle, until now. Of all the recent changes in his life, three women prove the most complicating–a sports reporter, a sports agent, and the near-dead woman found in his home.

I’m also a third of the way through the second novel in this series, which follows the baseball player’s twin brother to Guatemala, where cartels are terrorizing the countryside for control of the drug trade. He meets and falls in love with a woman who does everything she can to avoid him. He’s determined to find out why, not knowing that the answer will cost him.

How does your work differ from others in its genre?

My motto is “Fiction might not be real, that doesn’t mean it has to be unrealistic. There’s no room for perfect people in my stories.” Add to that sentiment “perfect lives, perfect situations, perfect outcomes”…you get the picture. Only God is perfect, so I’m not afraid to put my characters in real life, messy situations that they need a perfect God to help resolve. I’m also not afraid to diversify. My characters come from mixed backgrounds, races, classes, etc. You won’t find many novels with a main couple of two different races, where their racial difference is not the topic of the book. You’ll find such a thing in my writing. I try to stay true to each story put on my heart, choosing characters, setting, and backdrop that strengthen, not distract from, the plot. My main concern is honoring God by writing it to the best of my ability. I worry less about making it “fit.”

How does your writing process work?

Okay, real life again. I’m a stay-at-home mom. I have two 9-year-olds and a four-year-old empress. So…you can’t set a watch by my writing schedule. Sometimes I sit in the corner of a karate dojo with a laptop propped on my knees, other times I’m tapping in the notes section of my phone from the passenger seat of my truck while my husband drives to Costco. Being a night owl helps. Typically I write after I’ve put the kids to bed, spent time with my husband, and cleaned the house. (A nighttime clean is the most rewarding; it lasts more than five minutes.) So it’s not unusual for me to be typing and backspacing away from about 1 to 3 (or 5) in the morning. Every now and then I’ll pop into a Starbucks at opening time on a Saturday and stay until I’ve reached a word count goal. Ultimately I have to make time to write around my family’s schedule. Depending on what’s realistic any given day, I’ll set a time goal or a word count goal.

I’m also a pantser. I have a general idea of what’s going to happen in a story, and I make notes and loose (very loose) outlines. But for the most part the story unfolds as I’m writing it.

Why do you write what you do?

The stories I write originate in different ways: people watching, past experiences, “what if” scenarios, etc. Only the ones that continue to resurface–those that produce this sort of burning in my chest–actually make it on the list to become a full length novel. Writing is not just hard, it can be downright torture sometimes. But to quit would be to waste a gift I’ve been given and to choose not to honor God with it. That’s a choice I’ll never make. Plus, I have a suspicion that if I give up before that (ever-growing) list has been completed, I’d be subjected for a lifetime to small, relentless voices whispering “write me, write me, write me.” So I write.

Tag, you’re It!

Robin W. Pearson is a gifted writer who is also a stay-at-home mom and homeschooler. Her debut novel A Long Time Comin’ (formerly titled Women & Children First) was a 2012 semi-finalist in the Christian Writers Guild’s Operation First Novel contest. She has done editing and article writing, and currently blogs about faith, parenting, and writing. She lives with Eddie, her husband of almost 20 years, and their seven children. Within the next week or so you can find her answers to these questions on her blog Mommy, Concentrated, where you’ll also find relatable stories about parenting with a focus on Jesus.

C. Joy Allen is a recent finalist in Clash of the Titles’ Olympia writing contest. She writes contemporary fiction and romance. She completed her first novel in January 2013, and has plans for another. When she’s not writing, she’s enjoying her marriage of fifteen years and counting, and homeschooling her four children. She also loves volunteering for American Christian Fiction Writers where she is a member. Within the next couple of weeks you can find her answers to these questions on her blog To See Joy, where you’ll also find other enjoyable blog posts about faith, writing, and life in general.

Ruth Douthitt – In 2004, author Ruth A. Douthitt completed The Dragon Forest, which was picked up by OakTara Publishing in 2008 and released in April 2011. Ruth currently teaches Writing/Language Arts at an elementary school. She enjoys running, gardening, and drawing in addition to writing. She lives in Arizona with her husband. Within the next couple of weeks you can find her answers to these questions on her blog The Writer’s Pen, where you’ll also see some of her amazing artwork and find access to her books.

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The Receipt–Truth or Fiction Story 6

05 Monday Nov 2012

Posted by tanaramccauley in Short Stories, Songs, and Poetry, Writing and Pursuing Publication

≈ 9 Comments

Tags

amwriting, author, bank error, character, giveaway, honesty, millionare, receipt, relationships, series, short story, test, truth or fiction tuesday, vote, writer

It’s almost Truth or Fiction Tuesday! And because tomorrow is election day, I am posting the story early and making it an even shorter read. Hope you enjoy…

Oh, and make sure you get out and vote!

Seventeen dollars and thirty-two cents. That’s how much Naira had to her name before she deposited her weekly paycheck of eleven hundred. Now, according to her ATM receipt, her balance was just over twenty million. She rechecked her account number and the eight figures beneath, then slid the sweaty paper across to her boyfriend Jacob, who was busy wolfing down his second bowl of Mongolian barbecue.

One glance almost choked him.

“Wow. You weren’t joking.”

“Why would I joke about something like this?” Naira drummed her fingers on the laminate tabletop, pausing often to tug at her short, kinky curls and glance around the noisy restaurant. Her bowl, which reeked of garlic and Kung Pao, remained untouched.

“Well, you are quite the prankster, dear. I thought you were just pulling my leg.” He polished off another mouthful, then asked in his slight accent, “So what are you going to do?”

Shouldn’t he answer that question? Wasn’t he the voice of reason in this outfit? Never mind her student loans, tapped out credit cards, and dead-end job at the phone company, the money wasn’t hers. She cleared her throat and leaned in. “Give it back…right?”

“I don’t know. The bank’s going to take it back as soon as they realize their mistake. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t grab some of it before they do.”

“You’re not serious?” The thought had crossed her mind of course. But coming from Jacob–the guy who’d once revisited a drive-thru and waited twenty minutes to return extra hamburgers–it sounded just plain wrong.

“Take enough to quit your job and hide.” He pushed away his empty bowl. “Then you can focus on painting.”

“That sounds like a great plan. Go on the lam for grand theft, spend years painting my masterpiece, then go to prison after I’ve surfaced to unveil it. Why didn’t I think of that?”

Jacob’s full lips parted in a lazy smile made for fantasies. “Thieves do have aliases, Naira.” He took her hands, and her toffee-colored fingers instantly paled next to his dark skin. “It’s just…I know how strapped you are for cash, and I hate to see you struggle.” He sighed. “I’m only halfway through med school, love. I don’t know how much longer I can tolerate not being able to help you. It makes me feel unworthy.”

Naira frowned. He’d been many things in their two years of dating–on call handyman, karaoke partner, art critic–he was hardly unworthy. With him she had learned to appreciate simple things, especially the love they shared. Was money worth risking that?

“I can’t do it.” She snatched up the receipt and crumpled it.

“Wait, you sure?”

She nodded. “I’ll call the bank first thing in the morning.”

“But have you thought of the possibilities?”

“Jacob! I can’t believe you’re trying to talk me into something I was sure you’d be talking me out of. So I don’t have a lot of money?” She twisted spikes into the balled up receipt and lowered her voice. “I’m happy with you. I can’t jeopardize that.”

Jacob stared, wordless, making Naira wonder if her choice upset him. When he pushed his chair back and stood, she felt a rush of panic.

“Well,” he said slowly, reaching into his pocket, “since you won’t steal it from me…will you share it with me?” He knelt in front of her and placed a small felt box in her palm. “And will you take my name with it?”

“What?” Words failed her as he lifted the lid and pulled out a thick band with small white stones spiraling in a staircase to a large canary diamond. “Jacob!”

Women in the restaurant, who had popped up like moles when Jacob knelt, gasped as one at the ring.

“Marry me, Naira?”

“Wh-wh-what?”

“The money? Half of my inheritance. Wired from Dubai a week ago. I get the other half when I finish med school. Do you think that’ll be enough to carry a pro bono physician and his artist wife to their graying years?” He touched her cheek. “Will you be my wife, Naira?”

She fought past the tears in her throat, threw her arms around him and squeezed until he grunted a laugh.

The tattered receipt fell to the floor.

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Truth or Fiction Tuesdays, With a Giveaway on the Side

25 Tuesday Sep 2012

Posted by tanaramccauley in Short Stories, Songs, and Poetry, Writing and Pursuing Publication

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Tags

author, contest, false, fiction, gift card, giveaway, literature, series, short story, true, truth, vote, win, writing

It’s almost time!!!

A couple of weeks ago I posted about upcoming fiction blogging. As promised, the first two chapters of my debut novel were posted here for little over a week, but have since been removed in order to comply with the rules of an upcoming contest I intend to enter.

But no worries. Her red-headed step-cousin is fast on her heels as a replacement.

Want that in English?

I am still going forward with my Truth or Fiction Tuesdays short story series. Beginning…next Tuesday!

That’s right. That gives you a chance to win the giveaway, a $25 Amazon gift e-card, in time for the Christmas holiday. Here’s how it works:

Each short story (1,500 words or less) posted here October 2nd – November 13th will either be fiction or based on true events.

To be eligible to win you must decide if a story is truth or fiction and cast your vote in that story’s comment box. All votes must be received by Friday, November 16th at 11:59 PM. The more you read and participate, the better your chances of winning!

To earn additional entries, share the link on your Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest account and let me know that you did so in the comments box when you vote.I will publish the results of the winner and the truth/fiction status of the stories by title the weekend following the end of the contest. The winner will then be contacted and sent the gift card via email.

Sound easy enough? Here’s the short version: read, vote, share, and you could WIN!

I am looking forward to having a lot of fun with this series, and I’d love for you to join me :-).

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Bring on the Fiction!

14 Friday Sep 2012

Posted by tanaramccauley in Short Stories, Songs, and Poetry, When Morning Comes, Writing and Pursuing Publication

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Tags

author, blogging, chapters, compassion, fiction, giveaway, novel, october, scorpion hunt, series, sponsor a child, truth or fiction, tuesdays, video, vote, when morning comes, writer, writing

It’s been a few months now. I’ve learned to crawl through this blog thing–post a bit about writing, topics related to my book plot, random everyday me stuff, and scorpions.

Now I think I’m ready. It’s time to give my blog knees a break and stand up on wobbly blog legs. It’s time to pull the pages away from my chest, place a few of them gently down on the digital table and push them across to the other side.

I’m a fiction writer. It’s time to start posting some fiction.

Drum roll please…and a red carpet…maybe some long stem–but I digress.

Enter the first two chapters of my debut novel When Morning Comes. Next Saturday I will post a link here to my website at tanaramccauley.com where the chapters will be in PDF format. UPDATE: These chapters were posted as promised but have since been removed in order to comply with the rules of an upcoming contest that I intend to enter. If and when I am able to re-post them I will notify my readers through a new blog post. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Then, to keep that fiction coming, I’ll be starting a series in October called Truth or Fiction Tuesdays. These short stories will be 1500 words or less and will read like fiction, but some of them will actually be based on fact. It will be up to you, the reader, to vote and decide which. I’ll be wearing my sly-as-a-fox hat, so don’t think guessing will be easy. The payoff for your efforts? A giveaway at the end of the series. All who participate will be entered into the drawing. I’ll post more details later.

In addition to these, I’ll continue this month with my Blogging for Compassion campaign with Compassion International for child sponsorship; and I’ll blog other posts that, on their way through my head, stop and rest a while. I may even let you in on a scorpion hunt video we taped when we had visitors (not committed to that one yet, as video has shown me that I talk urgently, loudly, and much too much when there are scorpions involved).

Stay tuned, chime in, and get ready for me to bring on the fiction!

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Sounds like Thunder…Oklahoma Style!

21 Monday May 2012

Posted by tanaramccauley in Faith, Relationships, and Other Topics

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

basketball, Bryant, buzzer, california, championship, clench, game, Horry, Kings, Kobe, L.A., L.A. Lakers, Los Angeles, Okie, Oklahoma, Sacramento, series, shot, Thunder, victory

I gave up following professional basketball nearly ten years ago. Why? I suffered a heartbreak that still pinches whenever the memory is dredged up.

May 26, 2002.

The Sacramento Kings – my home team – were closer than they’d ever been to the championship round. They were leading the hated Lakers 2-1 in the series, and were seconds away from a coveted third win. I was tied to that game in every conceivable way; not just hoping we would finally pull one out, but already anticipating how over-the-top our victory celebrations would be.

Then out of nowhere, Robert Horry landed a clench three (after the buzzer, which everyone but a Laker fan will admit to) and stole the win. That shot turned the tide not only on that game, but also on the momentum of the Kings rise from obscurity into stardom. It was like losing a loved one. A loss I wouldn’t endure again by choice.

So why involve myself now? Why peek around the corner and watch snippets of the Thunder/Laker games and dare excite myself over the possibility that the Thunder may actually do this? Especially when it looks all too familiar: the underdog team, the high stakes…Kobe.

Because the Thunder represent that much underrated, beautiful state where I was born and spent my summers. Because I know when I cheer for them, I’m cheering with thousands of Oklahoma natives, and Natives, who have long endured the Okie, Okie Doke, and Okie from Muskogee jokes. And because they are a reincarnation of the hopes I had for that team in small town California.

While I’m not back to buying season tickets, donning sports regalia, collecting programs and ticket stubs, and shouting encouragements from the stands, this Oklahoma native has pitched her flag. I stand with the roaring Thunder fans cheering at this very moment in the arena: Beat L.A.! Beat L.A.! Beat L.A.!

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