NATIONAL MISSING CHILDREN'S DAY

Today I signed copies of MISSING at the Orem Costco on one of the most appropriate days we have: National Missing Children's Day. This day is held in honor of a six-year-old boy who went missing in 1979 on his first day walking to school "all by himself."

Because this was such an important day, I not only signed MISSING, but I also handed out photocopies of Child Identification Kits that parents could fill out and keep in their home. But as it turned out, today became more of a National Missing Children's Day than I could have ever imagined.

While in Costco, I met two women who've been personally affected by a missing child. One was the sister of Kiplyn Davis, the 15-year-old high school student who was reported missing on May 2, 1995 in Spanish Fork, Utah. The other was the sister of Timothy White, the 5-year-old boy kidnapped with Steven Stayner 30 years ago. 14-year-old Steven, himself a kidnapping victim, had fled with the boy, known as "Timmy," and hitchhiked to safety. He was a victim-turned-hero. Timmy's sister also told me of a spiritual experience their family and friends had during those grueling few days that Timmy was missing, and I couldn't help but not only compare it to my character, Stacie Cox's, "guidance" in her search to find Becka, but also feel grateful--TRUE LIFE grateful--for divine intervention. God is aware of us.

Was it a coincidence that I met these women on National Missing Children's Day? I don't know. But what I do know is today is a day I won't soon forget.

TRAPPED GIVEAWAYS!

As you may already know, TRAPPED is now trickling into Deseret Book and other bookstores. It is also available online at Amazon.com and Deseretbook.com (check my website for direct links). However, if you'd like to try your luck for a free copy of TRAPPED, go to Goodreads.com and check out their free giveaways. 5 copies of TRAPPED are up for grabs. There are two different deadlines, though, so make sure you check out both options . Also, don't forget to check back on Monday, for I'll be announcing another great summer reading contest.

IMPRINTS--What She Did Right and Must Have #3: Humanity

I just finished reading Rachel Ann Nunes's latest novel, IMPRINTS, and since Nunes did such a great job with characterization, I thought I would combine "What She Did Right" with a new update to my list of "Must Haves". Gary Provost titled this Must Have as "Humanity" in his "Seven Beacons of Excellent Writing," but I simply refer to it as people.

"Humanity" or "people" means that if you're writing an article or other piece of nonfiction, infuse your information with personal stories about people. Human nature--a reader's nature--is to be interested in other people, their lives, their stories, and especially their CONFLICTS, so using bits of human drama in your writing will draw your readers into your topic.

The same works with fiction. Think about it. While plot points and story events definitely play a roll in catching a reader's attention, it is the character, herself, that captures a reader's heart. It's part of what makes readers love a story; and Rachel Nunes, as I said before, created such a unique, sympathetic character in Autumn, that I just had to use her as an example.

First, Autumn is memorable because she's much of what most of us are not: a barefoot-only, health-food fanatic who was raised by hippies. BUT, the most important parts of Autumn--her caring for others, her personal and spiritual gifts, and her desire to make a difference in this world--are characteristics we can all connect with. All of that, along with Autumn's story, makes her a great character I won't soon forget. More than that, Autumn has given me a new perspective into the hearts of people who seem so different than I am, helping me to pause just a moment longer before I judge another based on their appearance. Thank you, Rachel. Well done!

UPDATES

I know, I know! I haven't written in a while. My only excuse is I've been really busy with all the announcements I'm about to give you.

1) TRAPPED is now published. My opening night book signing will be at Reflections of Utah in Brigham City from 5-7 on May 6th, just in time for Mother's Day. :) For more information or to read the first chapter of TRAPPED, click here.

2) I've begun to sign copies of MISSING at the Costco in Orem. I will be there several times during the month of May, but MISSING will be there even when I'm not--at a really good price. To see my schedule, click here.

3) I attended the LDS Storymaker's conference last weekend. There were a record number of attendees this year--over 400--and it was, as usual, amazing! A lot of good information and a lot of opportunities to connect with other writers, authors, and publishers--even a few agents.

(Cathy Witbeck--reaquainting with a fellow member of Author's Incognito)

 One of my favorite parts was the boot camp because I had the good fortune to lead one of the groups. Here is a picture of me with my new friends.

(Left to right--Donna Fuller, DeNae Handy, Me, Shawna Coombs, Joyce Smith)

 One of them, Donna Fuller, even placed second in one of the first chapter contests. You go, girl!

Donna Fuller 

That's it for now!