What’s the first part of the book you read? Is it the back cover? The first chapter? Maybe it’s the back of the book so you can learn why the author chose to write a book that involved whatever issue they did?
If I’m really intrigued by the history or a plot twist, I’ve been known to flip to the back…not to learn how a story ends (that steals all the fun for me!) but to see how much of a story is based in truth…or what event inspired the story.
My next novel, Flight Risk, releases in early April. Just yesterday I had a call with my marketing team about next steps, etc., but that call has me thinking about the book and why I wrote it. A stand alone, you’ll see many of the characters from the Hidden Justice novels in it, but it’s written to be read on its own.
The question I wanted to explore is “How do you find truth in a fake news world?” That question then created who the hero would be. Jett is a reporter who is adamantly committed to the truth (for reasons you’ll have to read to know), but his world is rocked when one of his stories may have triggered a whole sequence of events.
I also got inspiration from a plane crash on the 14th Street Bridge into the District that occured in 1982. Because we lived so close to the 14th Street Bridge, I would often think of that crash when zipping around Northern Viriginia and the District. It turns out it could have been prevented by deicing, but I twist it up with questions about technology that may (or may not) have been on the plane. I also layer in fears that it could be another 9/11 event…something I lived through very intimately as I worked at a court next to the White House at the time.
Flight Risk is entirely fiction, but it springs from a real event with the emotion of another event layered on top. Add in a heroine who was begging for her own story (Ms. Savannah Daniels) and it was a story I desperately wnated to write, but also a lot harder than I anticipated. I thought I understood who Savannah was, until it was time to write her story. Then I realized just how much I didn’t know her. I’m really proud of how this book has turned out and can’t wait for you to read it.
I also wanted to let you know that I’m giving away a signed copy of my friend Tricia Goyer’s latest nonfiction book A Grumble Free Year. You can enter below.
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For anything I start to grumble over, I can remind myself of the thousands of things I can be grateful for. The Lord blesses us in so many ways–ways that are obvious, and ways we don’t even realize…
It’s such a good way to combat it.
You are doing the right thing, Cheryl!
I’m trying to journal things I am thankful for daily! I have a 15 month old grandson who still likes to cuddle! 🙂 Last summer, I called him my “snuggle bug” and his older brother (3 years old) overheard me and said, “I wanna be you snuggle too!” 🙂
I really need to try the journaling to focus my thoughts on all the good in life.
I put a gratitude phone on my app! I love that you’re doing that.
To avoid the grumbles, I find if I concentrate on others instead of myself greatly helps. When I feel down or out of sorts, I can help someone or give someone a call and it deflects the bad turning the frown into a smile. Plus as my parents always said hard work never hurt anyone. So keeping busy is another solution of me.
I love that, Kay. Turns the focus from me to others.
Yes, there is always someone who needs encouragement!
To rid myself of the grumbles, I pray, first asking for forgiveness for my ungrateful attitude, then start listing my blessings. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Such a good strategy, Linda.
Linda, that is the perfect solution!
Getting rid of grumbles? Chocolate and prayer! 🙂 A little sweet to put a smile on the face and asking for a little help from above can put me in a better frame of mind.
Kari, chocolate helps with everything 😉
I’m not sure why I have such a hard time asking for help, but it’s SO much better than grumbling. (And chocolate helps, too!)
Grumbles require me to look at myself and realize the cause, then focus on negating it. Sometimes chocolate helps, or scripture, or prayer. Sometimes I just need to bite my tongue. Reading a good book gets my mind rerouted and then I can emerge with a better attitude.
All good strategies!
Yes! When I pause for a minute to figure it out, I’m often grumbling about something that’s not the REAL problem.
Cara, I love that you start your books with a piece of history. I also love that you are exploring fake news.
Fake news is so disconcerting here where we thought we could trust the information we read. This Feels like our free press is in the same place the news in Eastern Europe is with state owned news.
Can’t wait to get a copy of this book.
Thanks, Jen. I’m really pleased with how the book turned out.
I was on Tricia’s influencer team for this book and would love to win a copy. I read an electronic pre-release and keep meaning to buy the paperback but other things distract me. Your book sounds interesting. I had forgotten the flight number, but remember that plane crash quite well. I worked in bank operations and IT back then and flew to various cities for conferences, training, etc. I was always attuned to plane crashes. I didn’t travel through Washington very often but have flown to Reagan National a few times. Since it’s only five hours by car to Washington from my home, this particular crash caught my attention more than some others did. One of my favorite memories of a flight from National occurred sometime prior to this crash. As the plane rose above the white fluffy clouds enroute to Detroit, I reveled in the beauty of the top side of the clouds as a well-known Southern Gospel song of that time kept running through my mind: “Stepping on the Clouds” by the Inspirations. It talks about stepping on the clouds, going to see Jesus, rise to meet Him in the air.
Wow! What a great thought as you fly.
My best way to cease the grumbling is to open my mouth and speak words of gratitude. These days I’m really focusing on living the way Jesus favored, “I thank You Father…” I think of the way that Eve was tricked into looking at what she did not have, right in the midst of lavish, abundant living. And I have made the decision to either do something to change what I don’t like, or shut-uppa my face.
I will not give place to the devil. Congrats on the new book. You’ve got a winner.
I am looking forward to reading Flight Risk and hearing Savannah Daniels’ story. I was also looking forward to having you sign the book for me at this year’s SOKY Bookfest in Bowling Green, Kentucky. I am guessing that, since the Bookfest is March 21st and Flight Risk doesn’t release until early April, you will not have the book available. Still, I am looking forward to seeing you in March.
When I start to feel grumbly I choose Joy and ask God to help me be thankful.
Concentrate on good things! I try to follow Phillipians 4:8
To avoid the grumbles I count my blessings and distract myself by listening to gospel music or I read.