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Greetings from
Arizona!
Our Summer 2011 is all about family.
Amy and Chris, Luke, Jake, and Rebeka are in the Sates from Africa
for a few months. Sara and Dan are newlyweds. Ryan is spending more
time with us during his break from school. In June, Bob's mom made
the big move here from California. Mom and Erik (eighty this summer)
live next door to us and are able to enjoy the additional family
time too.
On June 25th we all gathered to
celebrate Rebeka's 5th birthday. I thought you might enjoy a peek at
our birthday girl and our party theme.
A Makeover for my Website
When you have a minute, I hope you'll stop by
www.monahodgson.com and
check out the new features, including a FREE RESOURCES Page.
Articles for readers, writers, and the general public. Many thanks
to my hubby Bob for all the work he's done on my website and
newsletter and.... And a big thank you to Blogging Bistro for
the fabulous new Old West headers.
The Truth in
Fiction
Many of my closest friends are liars. But they might prefer the
title storyteller extraordinaire. Tale-weavers. And whether
the literary yarn they spin is set in an actual place or is based
upon real life events and historical characters, they are authors of
fiction. I am too. And as novelists, we have chosen to write
fiction, not fact. But even so, is the story we weave truly and
completely made up?
Not the best stories. All compelling fiction resonates with readers.
Why? Because the best stories are rich in truth.
Why has Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell camped on
bestsellers’ lists? Why has the historical novel inspired movies and
spin-offs? Why is Gone with the Wind a classic?
Because the story told the truth.
Even though Scarlet O’Hara’s tale wasn’t necessarily formed in
actual reality, the setting and characters,
action and themes offer a tapestry of honesty that can
make a work of fiction feel more real, at times, than life itself.
Using those four central threads of fiction, I try to create an
honest story world and premise that will provide a platform for
truth and deepen the realness of my fiction.
Where is the truth in fiction? Yes, it is in the details. But it is
birthed deep within the writer. I’m trying to dig deep to create
stories rich in authentic settings, characters, action, and themes
centered around a family of sisters whose trust in a faithful God
sustains them in life's ups and downs.
You can read the entire article on the new FREE
RESOURCES page at
www.monahodgson.com.
I could use your
help
Have you read Two Brides Too
Many or Too Rich for a Bride? If so, I'd love
it if you'd write a brief review and rate the books on
www.amazon.com,
www.bn.com, and/or
www.christianbooks.com.
May 3rd was the official release date for Book Two in The
Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek Series. I appreciate any and
all help with getting the word out about The Sinclair Sisters of
Cripple Creek.
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Have you "liked"
my official Mona Hodgson Author Page on Facebook?
If you haven't
visited my official Author Page on Facebook lately, I hope you'll
stop by and check out the new Welcome Page. And you never
know when I might be giving away books or planning a book launch
party there. Hint: Another Weekend Book-A-Day- Giveaway will
arrive with Autumn. I hope you'll join us!
Many thanks to
Blogging Bistro and to my hubby Bob for all their work on the
Welcome Page and the enhanced profile for Mona Hodgson Author
Page. Check out the hat I'm wearing. Bob made it. I know. He is
indeed a hubby of many trades.
A Favorite Summer Recipe
Spaghetti Chicken
1 package spaghetti noodles, cooked
2 tablespoons olive oil or marinade oil from artichokes
˝ cup red onion or sliced green onions
1 ˝ cup tomatoes (I like Roma, cherry, or grape), chopped
2 cups marinated artichoke hearts, chopped
2 cups cooked chicken, diced or sliced (leftover from a baked
chicken or from a package of mesquite grilled)
Mix all of the ingredients in a serving bowl or
layer them on a serving platter. Serve with parmesan cheese and
breadsticks (or bread of choice)
This recipe and more than twenty other Hodgson
Family Favorite Recipes are now available on the FREE
RESOURCES Page at
www.monahodgson.com. Enjoy!
Where in the World is Mona?
August 10-13
Teach
Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers' Conference
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
August 20
Bustles and Spurs Blog, Monthly Columnist
September 20
Bustles and Spurs Blog, Monthly Columnist
October 17
Guest Author, Sign Books
Retailers ReBoot
Cottonwood Church
Los Alamitos, California
October 20
Bustles and Spurs Blog, Monthly Columnist
Does your group need a speaker? If so, I hope
you'll check out the Mona's Speaking Page at
www.monahodgson.com and
tell your group leaders about me.
I'll write again in about three months. In the meantime, I hope
you'll follow me on Facebook and Twitter.
Blessings,
Mona Hodgson
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