Heather Randall's Blog
August 2, 2013
The Beauty of Words
"When Chicks Hatch"
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July 31, 2013
Discussion Questions
These questions were taken from my Facebook Fan Page. Follow me there for more discussion ideas.
Self ambition, infertility, a failing marriage, guilt after poor decisions and the quest to find an end to single life are some of the issues facing the women in When Chicks Hatch. Which issue do you, personally, think would be the most challenging?
What is your favorite scripture to encourage you when life seems hopeless?
What are some ways you encourage the women in your life who are discouraged?
Is there any situation you can think of where you would call an act unforgivable?
Not every single woman is praying for a spouse like Kristen is. What are some reasons a woman might enjoy being single?
How would it affect you if you learned that you were unable to carry children?
Nicky and Jennifer have been friends for ages. Do you have any friendships that have lasted that long? What makes a friendships strong enough to last through all the seasons of life?
When writing When Chicks Hatch I made a deliberate effort to not make my Christian character flawless. I hate when Christian characters in (mostly Christian) fiction act a little too perfect and become less human. I think unbelievers need a true picture of our walk with God. I also hate when Christians are portrayed in books as ignorant or silly. How do you like to see Christians portrayed in books?
Is there anyone in your life who you believe would accept you no matter what? How have you come to believe this of them? In what ways have they made you secure in their love for you?
Does what you say when you're hurting reflect the real you?
The holidays are quickly approaching. Do you have a gift for hospitality like Jennifer?
Self ambition, infertility, a failing marriage, guilt after poor decisions and the quest to find an end to single life are some of the issues facing the women in When Chicks Hatch. Which issue do you, personally, think would be the most challenging?
What is your favorite scripture to encourage you when life seems hopeless?
What are some ways you encourage the women in your life who are discouraged?
Is there any situation you can think of where you would call an act unforgivable?
Not every single woman is praying for a spouse like Kristen is. What are some reasons a woman might enjoy being single?
How would it affect you if you learned that you were unable to carry children?
Nicky and Jennifer have been friends for ages. Do you have any friendships that have lasted that long? What makes a friendships strong enough to last through all the seasons of life?
When writing When Chicks Hatch I made a deliberate effort to not make my Christian character flawless. I hate when Christian characters in (mostly Christian) fiction act a little too perfect and become less human. I think unbelievers need a true picture of our walk with God. I also hate when Christians are portrayed in books as ignorant or silly. How do you like to see Christians portrayed in books?
Is there anyone in your life who you believe would accept you no matter what? How have you come to believe this of them? In what ways have they made you secure in their love for you?
Does what you say when you're hurting reflect the real you?
The holidays are quickly approaching. Do you have a gift for hospitality like Jennifer?
Brad's Sweet Potato Ravioli
Did your stomach growl reading When Chicks Hatch? Did you wish you could try Brad's special Sweet Potato Ravioli?Try this recipe for a yummy meal:
Portabella’s Fine Dining
Brad’s Sweet Potato Ravioli
1 c. all purpose flour2/3 c. whole wheat flour3 eggs1 tablespoons milk2 tablespoons of cooked tender sweet potato (or substitute organic sweet potato baby food)
Mix flours and sift.Make a well in the flour.Add eggs, milk and sweet potato to the well.Draw in the flour gradually until it has a formed a workable dough that isn’t sticky. (If necessary, add more flour). Mix and cover.
Divide the dough and roll out a quarter at a time until paper thin. You may opt to use a machine for this or do it by hand.Place a TBS of filling spaced out every 2 inches across pasta.With a wet brush, make lines dividing the mounds.Top with another layer of pasta.Press down on sides to make ravioli pockets sealed. Cut with pasta cutter, or serrated knife.Seal edges again with the edge of a fork. Brush egg whites lightly across the sides.
Boil until pasta is al dente (approximately 5-8 minutes). Top with warmed Sauce.
Filling:2lbs. Cooked portabella mushrooms½ c. shredded asiago cheese1 c. shredded provolone¼ tsp. Minced garlic¼ tsp. rosemary
Sauce:1 pound sweet potatoes, about 3 medium1/8 teaspoon salt2 tablespoons chopped parsley1 12 ounce can evaporated skim milk¼ teaspoon ground white pepper½ teaspoon nutmeg1 cup shredded asiago cheese
Cook sweet potatoes until soft.Place cooked potatoes into blender with milk. Mix thoroughly.Season with salt, pepper and parsley. Pour over cooked sweet potato ravioli.Sprinkle lightly with parmesan cheese.
Serve with a smile.
Portabella’s Fine Dining
Brad’s Sweet Potato Ravioli
1 c. all purpose flour2/3 c. whole wheat flour3 eggs1 tablespoons milk2 tablespoons of cooked tender sweet potato (or substitute organic sweet potato baby food)
Mix flours and sift.Make a well in the flour.Add eggs, milk and sweet potato to the well.Draw in the flour gradually until it has a formed a workable dough that isn’t sticky. (If necessary, add more flour). Mix and cover.
Divide the dough and roll out a quarter at a time until paper thin. You may opt to use a machine for this or do it by hand.Place a TBS of filling spaced out every 2 inches across pasta.With a wet brush, make lines dividing the mounds.Top with another layer of pasta.Press down on sides to make ravioli pockets sealed. Cut with pasta cutter, or serrated knife.Seal edges again with the edge of a fork. Brush egg whites lightly across the sides.
Boil until pasta is al dente (approximately 5-8 minutes). Top with warmed Sauce.
Filling:2lbs. Cooked portabella mushrooms½ c. shredded asiago cheese1 c. shredded provolone¼ tsp. Minced garlic¼ tsp. rosemary
Sauce:1 pound sweet potatoes, about 3 medium1/8 teaspoon salt2 tablespoons chopped parsley1 12 ounce can evaporated skim milk¼ teaspoon ground white pepper½ teaspoon nutmeg1 cup shredded asiago cheese
Cook sweet potatoes until soft.Place cooked potatoes into blender with milk. Mix thoroughly.Season with salt, pepper and parsley. Pour over cooked sweet potato ravioli.Sprinkle lightly with parmesan cheese.
Serve with a smile.
September 26, 2012
The Truly Good Review
How can you spot a good review?
An honest review doesn’t always mean a good review.
Let me give an example: With my novel, When Chicks Hatch, one of my reviews made me cry for two days straight. This particular reviewer said I curse and, even worse accused me of blaspheming God in my novel. I was horrified. I couldn’t imagine how she could come to such a harsh conclusion.
Let me be clear: I'm not bashing this reviewer. and don't want you to think that. That's just where I was when I first read her review. Hear me out though. I want to share how I have learned from her and grown to appreciate her perspective.
Here’s how it went: My character in question is a Christian man who has waited at a hospital with a girl he once loved. She is pregnant by a married man who is not returning phone calls that are crucial to the health of the unborn baby. Watching his friend flounder in her faith, fall on her face and struggle so hard to stand up again he is enraged when the father of the baby finally bothers to show up. He responds by shouting at the man “Where the hell have you been?”
Okay, personally in that situation I can honestly say that I would probably respond that exact way. Fear and emotion would take over. I can’t say I regret my choice because I found it true, however, my reader did not and I have to consider that in future writing. I could have shown his anger by clenching his fist. Muttered under his breath. I could have made different choices that would have affected this particular reader better.
On the second charge: I found the place she referred to and discovered a very broken unsaved character who would think nothing of using the lord’s name irreverently. We are not talking “GD” here. It was an OMG. I would argue this to the death.
I hate the trend in Christian literature that almost demands that unsaved characters not act authentically or be "too bad". Too often, the unsaved characters don’t look all that different from the Christian. In my writing I want to distinguish this spiritual difference in my characters, to expose the need for Christ-- or I feel there's just no point.
So when I got over myself and wiped my tears I actually found two very beneficial things in this review that help me be a better writer.
1. I learned I can say things differently and have the same effect. My personal strength as a writer is in my dialogue. This review showed me that I rely to much on telling. Sometimes I need show not tell.
2. I learned who I am as a writer, how I operate and a big belief I have when approaching Christian fiction.
I’ve received several very positive uplifting reviews since then, however, none I’ve learned so much from.
Writers: Be open to even the "negative" reviews and pray to see them through God’s eyes. That you would not miss any opportunity to grow.
As an author, it doesn’t help us if everyone responds like our spouse or parent saying “It’s perfect I wouldn’t change a thing”. We all know we aren’t perfect. There is something about our work that could be improved.
A good reviewer will mention but not accentuate our weakness. They will call our attention to the areas we could be greater without slandering our attempt. They provoke us to greatness. They find the beautiful, the things that are good and make them sparkle to our potential readers. If it isn’t for them they say why and they recognize that they don’t speak for all readers. They take the time to address your audience. They don’t highlight themselves in their reviews or cut you down to elevate themselves, but stick to the task at hand.
A good review makes you better. I have to admit, dispite my initual feelings, this reviewer has.
An honest review doesn’t always mean a good review.
Let me give an example: With my novel, When Chicks Hatch, one of my reviews made me cry for two days straight. This particular reviewer said I curse and, even worse accused me of blaspheming God in my novel. I was horrified. I couldn’t imagine how she could come to such a harsh conclusion.
Let me be clear: I'm not bashing this reviewer. and don't want you to think that. That's just where I was when I first read her review. Hear me out though. I want to share how I have learned from her and grown to appreciate her perspective.
Here’s how it went: My character in question is a Christian man who has waited at a hospital with a girl he once loved. She is pregnant by a married man who is not returning phone calls that are crucial to the health of the unborn baby. Watching his friend flounder in her faith, fall on her face and struggle so hard to stand up again he is enraged when the father of the baby finally bothers to show up. He responds by shouting at the man “Where the hell have you been?”
Okay, personally in that situation I can honestly say that I would probably respond that exact way. Fear and emotion would take over. I can’t say I regret my choice because I found it true, however, my reader did not and I have to consider that in future writing. I could have shown his anger by clenching his fist. Muttered under his breath. I could have made different choices that would have affected this particular reader better.
On the second charge: I found the place she referred to and discovered a very broken unsaved character who would think nothing of using the lord’s name irreverently. We are not talking “GD” here. It was an OMG. I would argue this to the death.
I hate the trend in Christian literature that almost demands that unsaved characters not act authentically or be "too bad". Too often, the unsaved characters don’t look all that different from the Christian. In my writing I want to distinguish this spiritual difference in my characters, to expose the need for Christ-- or I feel there's just no point.
So when I got over myself and wiped my tears I actually found two very beneficial things in this review that help me be a better writer.
1. I learned I can say things differently and have the same effect. My personal strength as a writer is in my dialogue. This review showed me that I rely to much on telling. Sometimes I need show not tell.
2. I learned who I am as a writer, how I operate and a big belief I have when approaching Christian fiction.
I’ve received several very positive uplifting reviews since then, however, none I’ve learned so much from.
Writers: Be open to even the "negative" reviews and pray to see them through God’s eyes. That you would not miss any opportunity to grow.
As an author, it doesn’t help us if everyone responds like our spouse or parent saying “It’s perfect I wouldn’t change a thing”. We all know we aren’t perfect. There is something about our work that could be improved.
A good reviewer will mention but not accentuate our weakness. They will call our attention to the areas we could be greater without slandering our attempt. They provoke us to greatness. They find the beautiful, the things that are good and make them sparkle to our potential readers. If it isn’t for them they say why and they recognize that they don’t speak for all readers. They take the time to address your audience. They don’t highlight themselves in their reviews or cut you down to elevate themselves, but stick to the task at hand.
A good review makes you better. I have to admit, dispite my initual feelings, this reviewer has.
August 8, 2012
The Making of A Writer
My mom has an unbelievable talent with the elderly. She always has, even before I was born.
When this picture was taken my mom was employed at a residential Senior group home. I would go with her on the weekends and play as she cared for the people there.
I remember picking wildflowers that grew along the road outside of the house, swinging on the tire swing out front and the metal swing set out back. I remember the pantry that was my favorite place to hide during games of hide n' seek. Yup, these "old" people with nothing left to give were my friends. They colored with me, played with me, read to me and even made me eat beets. Yuck! They gave me all they had . . .they gave their time.
It was there in that old house that I learned to write. The lady you see me hugging here is Phyllis. I remember sitting in the back room with her (just the two of us) while she went over how to write each letter of my name. The pride I felt at writing my whole for the first time on my own was monumental.
Today I don't just think about Phyllis when I sign my name or hear it called. I think of her whenever I hold a pen or pencil, whenever I create, whenever I write.
Sometimes the things we make time for, however small, have a lasting impact on others.
How are you influencing others around you?
When this picture was taken my mom was employed at a residential Senior group home. I would go with her on the weekends and play as she cared for the people there.
I remember picking wildflowers that grew along the road outside of the house, swinging on the tire swing out front and the metal swing set out back. I remember the pantry that was my favorite place to hide during games of hide n' seek. Yup, these "old" people with nothing left to give were my friends. They colored with me, played with me, read to me and even made me eat beets. Yuck! They gave me all they had . . .they gave their time.
It was there in that old house that I learned to write. The lady you see me hugging here is Phyllis. I remember sitting in the back room with her (just the two of us) while she went over how to write each letter of my name. The pride I felt at writing my whole for the first time on my own was monumental.
Today I don't just think about Phyllis when I sign my name or hear it called. I think of her whenever I hold a pen or pencil, whenever I create, whenever I write.
Sometimes the things we make time for, however small, have a lasting impact on others.
How are you influencing others around you?
