When my boys were little...and up through their growing up years we sat at the table in January and set goals. They HATED it!!! I kept a notebook with their goals at every age. The maturity shows up in the goals they aspired to attain. It always brings a smile to my face until I read the goals I set for myself. I still haven't reached them!!!
Terry had a goal for years that was to make six close friends to be his pallbearers! (He just makes ya wanta laugh!)
My biggest all time goal has been and probably always will be: Lose weight!
This year I was able to shed 25 lbs with Alli pills and thank God for it! I am now doing a combination of Alli and Weight Watchers. Keep your fingers crossed. I need to go another40 to 50 lbs!
I also set a goal of book selling. My ultimate goal is over 5000 books sold. My short-term goal was 500. YESTERDAY WE OFFICIALLY REACHED 500 COPIES OF NAN'S JOURNEY SOLD!
This morning I had an order for 5 more and also 2 from His Corner Bookstore at Community Worship Center sold. As of this minute we are at 507... 4493 to go!!!!
Terry set the next goal at 1000 so that I wouldn't get discouraged....so that leaves 493 to go for that one. Ha!!!
Nan's Journey is in at least 22 states (the ones that I am aware of anyway) and is sold around the world because of Tate Publishing distribution through Ingram Spring Arbor. I think a cool goal would be to have documented sales in all 50 states whatever countries it is available in.
Another seemingly unreachable goal is to GET OUT OF DEBT! Hope springs eternal...
Any interesting goals????
Nan's Heritage Series-Set in the 1800s- Book I, Nan's Journey-Book II, Elk's Resolve-Book III, Luke's Legacy- Book IV, The Eyes of a Stranger- Book V, Timothy's Home Rescued...A Series of Hope Book I, Some Happy Day - Book II, Capture the Wandering Heart- Book III, Walk Slowly Through the Dark Nashville Series set in 1974: Six Miles From Nashville
Author Book Marketing Services
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Thursday, February 28, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Lets Go To a Blog Party!
I'm trying something new....so what's new with that? It seems that everything I have been doing lately has been new. (to me at least) How about all of us girls (sorry boys) join in this blog party on March 7-14? It is a way to meet other bloggers and win prizes. (readers can win prizes too) Just click the button on the side bar and join in the fun! This blog is called 5 minutes 4 mom.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Nan's Journey Named Best Christian Historical Fiction of 2008 by Christian Story Teller
Congratulations from Chrisitiansoryteller.com staff and the Board of Advisors.
It is with great happiness and joy that we announce our choices for the “Best of the Year Awards”.
Your book has been selected for BEST CHRISTIAN HISTORICAL FICTION OF THE YEAR 2008 AWARD by the Board of Advisors of www.chrisitianstoryteller.com
What a wonderful task it was to read each of the submitted author’s books. You all have so much to share. Praise God!
Please go to the front page of our web site to see the complete list of AWARDS.
www.christianstoryteller.com
Again congratulations on your award and may you keep the Faith in what God has given you, the gift of writing.
“Someone some where needs your book and they will be changed forever by reading it”.
Leon Mentzer
and the staff of
www.christianstoryteller.com
Christianstoryteller.com
Voted one of the
"BEST Web-Sites for Writers, 2007
It is with great happiness and joy that we announce our choices for the “Best of the Year Awards”.
Your book has been selected for BEST CHRISTIAN HISTORICAL FICTION OF THE YEAR 2008 AWARD by the Board of Advisors of www.chrisitianstoryteller.com
What a wonderful task it was to read each of the submitted author’s books. You all have so much to share. Praise God!
Please go to the front page of our web site to see the complete list of AWARDS.
www.christianstoryteller.com
Again congratulations on your award and may you keep the Faith in what God has given you, the gift of writing.
“Someone some where needs your book and they will be changed forever by reading it”.
Leon Mentzer
and the staff of
www.christianstoryteller.com
Christianstoryteller.com
Voted one of the
"BEST Web-Sites for Writers, 2007
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Interesting Character Names
I laughed when I looked at the sequel of "Nan's Journey"...the manuscript. I had named several people Elizabeth!!!! I don't know what is up with that, but I do have a time with figuring out last names and old fashioned first names. Once I had a mountain man named "Thomas Kincade"!!! Aimee, my d-i-l, laughed and said she didn't know he was that old! Boy was my face red when I realized what I had done. I changed the name. I am so glad she caught it. Give me some name suggestions for the third book...Terry and I will choose the winner on April 20. The prize is a book!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Interview With Elaine Littau- Liberal KS Paper
About six to eight years ago, a Perryton, Texas,
woman began working
on her first novel. In January, that novel was released to the public by Tate publishing company. Elaine Littau, a church secretary by day, wrote Nan’s Journey, a novel set in the 1800s about a girl who is abused by her step parents. To get away from the situation, she and her 5-year old brother run away into the Colorado wilderness.“That’s kind of the premise of the book,” Littau said. “The overall theme is forgiveness and bravery.”Littau said she had always enjoyed reading books by Zane Gray, Grace Livingston Hill and Louis Lamour. Not only that, but
she also was intrigued by the stories her parents told her.“My mom and dad, they were in their 40s when I was born, so they had actually moved into Kansas and Oklahoma and Colorado in covered wagons as children,” she explained.“They would tell me their old times and just what it was like to live in those days.”
One day, Littau had an idea for a story, and she started to write it down. However, the process was a long one due to self doubts.“I would write a little bit, and then I would think I was kind of stupid to write a book, and I’d put it away for like a year and then find it again and start on it again,” she said. Finally, however, she received help from a friend who asked to read what she had written. Upon reading what Littau had finished, the friend asked her to keep sending chapters until the novel was complete. And after that, she said, another friend who had been reading it told Littau she had a niece working for a publishing company, Tate Publishing, in Mustang, Okla. It seemed the company often worked with new authors, and the friend encouraged Littau to submit her manuscript. “They receive about 20,000(manuscripts) a year and take about 4 percent of what comes in. I didn’t know it was that big of a long shot, or I might not have had the nerve to do it,” Littau said. “Ignorance is bliss.”Despite the odds, Littau’s novel was accepted.“My kids thought something had happened to my husband. I called them on the phone and started bawling, Littau said. “They weren’t expecting that.”
After a long process in which she looked over The editing, looked at book cover ideas, and
listened to voices for the audio book, her book was sent to her in published form. It was accepted Feb. 6, 2007, she said, and she received her copy in October. The book was actually released to the public in January. So far, she said, she has received positive reviews from everyone who has read it, and she has sold 500 copies in 22 states.“I haven’t heard anyone say anything bad about it, yet,” she said.“They’ve seemed to all enjoy it.”One of the challenges, she added, has been the marketing of her novel. Since she’s not a well known author, the book is only available online through sites like walmart.com, amazon.com, though it can also be ordered through book stores. “The marketing thing is the most daunting,” she explained. “Even if you have a publisher, you still have to do stuff to promote your books. You actually have to talk to people.”Recently, Littau did a book signing at a truck stop in Meade as part of the promotion of her novel. Coming up, she will be doing a book signing at the Barnes and Noble in Amarillo, Texas, and at Hastings in Liberal. And despite the challenges, she said writing is something she plans to continue. Littau lives with her husband of almost 33 years on a piece of land just south of Perryton, and her three sons are grown and married. “I’m an empty nester and a church secretary. You only work until like 3 in the afternoon, then you have a lot of time after that. I thought, ‘Well, this is going to
be boring for the rest of my life,’” she said.
Now, however, she tries to write a little each day. She finished the sequel to Nan’s
Journey much more quickly than the first, she said, and currently has six ideas for other books in her head, with three of four of them in the works.“Honestly, I’m pretty vanilla,”
she said. “I just had a big dream.”Littau will have a book signing at Hastings from 1 to 3
p.m. Feb. 23. The store will have some of her books in stock, and Littau will bring extras along with some copies of the audio book.
woman began working
on her first novel. In January, that novel was released to the public by Tate publishing company. Elaine Littau, a church secretary by day, wrote Nan’s Journey, a novel set in the 1800s about a girl who is abused by her step parents. To get away from the situation, she and her 5-year old brother run away into the Colorado wilderness.“That’s kind of the premise of the book,” Littau said. “The overall theme is forgiveness and bravery.”Littau said she had always enjoyed reading books by Zane Gray, Grace Livingston Hill and Louis Lamour. Not only that, but
she also was intrigued by the stories her parents told her.“My mom and dad, they were in their 40s when I was born, so they had actually moved into Kansas and Oklahoma and Colorado in covered wagons as children,” she explained.“They would tell me their old times and just what it was like to live in those days.”
One day, Littau had an idea for a story, and she started to write it down. However, the process was a long one due to self doubts.“I would write a little bit, and then I would think I was kind of stupid to write a book, and I’d put it away for like a year and then find it again and start on it again,” she said. Finally, however, she received help from a friend who asked to read what she had written. Upon reading what Littau had finished, the friend asked her to keep sending chapters until the novel was complete. And after that, she said, another friend who had been reading it told Littau she had a niece working for a publishing company, Tate Publishing, in Mustang, Okla. It seemed the company often worked with new authors, and the friend encouraged Littau to submit her manuscript. “They receive about 20,000(manuscripts) a year and take about 4 percent of what comes in. I didn’t know it was that big of a long shot, or I might not have had the nerve to do it,” Littau said. “Ignorance is bliss.”Despite the odds, Littau’s novel was accepted.“My kids thought something had happened to my husband. I called them on the phone and started bawling, Littau said. “They weren’t expecting that.”
After a long process in which she looked over The editing, looked at book cover ideas, and
listened to voices for the audio book, her book was sent to her in published form. It was accepted Feb. 6, 2007, she said, and she received her copy in October. The book was actually released to the public in January. So far, she said, she has received positive reviews from everyone who has read it, and she has sold 500 copies in 22 states.“I haven’t heard anyone say anything bad about it, yet,” she said.“They’ve seemed to all enjoy it.”One of the challenges, she added, has been the marketing of her novel. Since she’s not a well known author, the book is only available online through sites like walmart.com, amazon.com, though it can also be ordered through book stores. “The marketing thing is the most daunting,” she explained. “Even if you have a publisher, you still have to do stuff to promote your books. You actually have to talk to people.”Recently, Littau did a book signing at a truck stop in Meade as part of the promotion of her novel. Coming up, she will be doing a book signing at the Barnes and Noble in Amarillo, Texas, and at Hastings in Liberal. And despite the challenges, she said writing is something she plans to continue. Littau lives with her husband of almost 33 years on a piece of land just south of Perryton, and her three sons are grown and married. “I’m an empty nester and a church secretary. You only work until like 3 in the afternoon, then you have a lot of time after that. I thought, ‘Well, this is going to
be boring for the rest of my life,’” she said.
Now, however, she tries to write a little each day. She finished the sequel to Nan’s
Journey much more quickly than the first, she said, and currently has six ideas for other books in her head, with three of four of them in the works.“Honestly, I’m pretty vanilla,”
she said. “I just had a big dream.”Littau will have a book signing at Hastings from 1 to 3
p.m. Feb. 23. The store will have some of her books in stock, and Littau will bring extras along with some copies of the audio book.
Making Soap
I went to see my sister at lunch time and saw a copy of a magazine on her footstool. It had an article about how people used to make soap in "the good ole days." Man alive, it was quite a process. I always wondered about how they had all the ingredients and what the ingredience were. In this article the soap maker said that they used the ashes from wood that they put in a large colandar and poured water through slowly. (perferably soft water) The element that came from the ashes and permiated the water was lye. They took bacon fat and other meat fats they saved from cooking and put that in too. They also added kerosene to the mix and heated it over a fire stirring...for a time until they determined it was done. They put the mixture into flat wooden boxes and poured the water off that rose to the top as it hardened. While it was still somewhat soft, the stuff in the box was cut into bars.
I know I missed some steps. If you can fill in the blanks I would appreciate it.
I once got a soap kit from the store... I just melted the stuff in a microwave and put it into decorative molds. I hardly think it could rate as making soap!!!!
I know I missed some steps. If you can fill in the blanks I would appreciate it.
I once got a soap kit from the store... I just melted the stuff in a microwave and put it into decorative molds. I hardly think it could rate as making soap!!!!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Win a Copy of "Nan's Journey"
A copy of "Nan's Journey" will be given away on March 20, 2008 to the person who posts the funniest clean story on my blog. I will have Terry help me decide the winner! Come on, you know you have a funny clean story!
Help Me Name the Animals in My Future Books
Sometimes I struggle to find good names for the animals in my books. In "Nan's Journey" I used some names that were familiar to me, but the names in the sequel were a little harder to come by. I need names for Dogs and cats of course. Preferably names that would be used in the 1800s along with names for horses and cows and the occasional goat!
So far I have used:
Dogs
Rufus
Shasta
Blackie
Cats
None yet
Horses
Thunder
Moon Shadow
Star Shadow
Sonny
Tramp
Cows (My family always named their milk cows)
Bobbie - be cause a dog had bitten her tail off as a calf...
Help a girl out with some good names will ya? Post here.
So far I have used:
Dogs
Rufus
Shasta
Blackie
Cats
None yet
Horses
Thunder
Moon Shadow
Star Shadow
Sonny
Tramp
Cows (My family always named their milk cows)
Bobbie - be cause a dog had bitten her tail off as a calf...
Help a girl out with some good names will ya? Post here.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
A Story My Dad Told
My Dad was born in 1909. When he was a toddler the covered wagon had not been phased out yet. His family was moving across the plains of Kansas or Oklahoma with a covered wagon and he was a toddler sleeping in the back of the wagon. He was a sound sleeper. When the wagon hit a bump on the ground, he rolled out of the wagon landing in very tall prairie grass. After some time he awakened. Looking all around him, he could not see the wagon. He finally spied the top of the covered wagon as it dissappeared down a hill in the distance.
He cried and toddled his way closer to the family and finally someone heard him and ran back to him to rescue him. If he hadn't awakened when he did, he may never have been found. The grass was almost as tall as he was.
I remember gasping when he told that story. Just think what could have happened!
He cried and toddled his way closer to the family and finally someone heard him and ran back to him to rescue him. If he hadn't awakened when he did, he may never have been found. The grass was almost as tall as he was.
I remember gasping when he told that story. Just think what could have happened!
Friday, February 15, 2008
LOST
I love the tv show, LOST! What on earth does LOST have to do with "Nan's Journey" you may ask? I love the character development so much that I tried to make my characters have an element of texture that is the signature of LOST. Do you get tired of characters in books being flat?.... all good or all bad??? I do too. I think the characters need to think and act like real people do.
Another element of LOST that I adore is that everyone is connected in some way. That would be fun to develop in the books following "Nan's Journey." I have written the second in the series and the working title is "Elk's Resolve". Hopefully it will be published soon. Are you interested in getting it going? Help me get copies of "Nan's Journey" sold so that the publisher knows that there is a demand for my books. Thank you for all that you have done.
Hey, what is up with Ben and Sahid in that last episode? My mind is whirling....How about yours?
Another element of LOST that I adore is that everyone is connected in some way. That would be fun to develop in the books following "Nan's Journey." I have written the second in the series and the working title is "Elk's Resolve". Hopefully it will be published soon. Are you interested in getting it going? Help me get copies of "Nan's Journey" sold so that the publisher knows that there is a demand for my books. Thank you for all that you have done.
Hey, what is up with Ben and Sahid in that last episode? My mind is whirling....How about yours?
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Abuse Comes in Many Forms
Last night I spoke at the Wesley Foundation at West Texas A&M University. There were a number of students there listening attentively as I spoke of the abuse the main character of my book, "Nan's Journey", endured. Although I know that there are a great many people who have suffered physical abuse, I became aware a few years ago that verbal abuse is very damaging to people too. I had always heard the old saying that "words can never hurt me" and felt confused when the words indeed did hurt me. I thought I should "get a thicker skin" so that the mental pounding I took wouldn't get to me.
While I am thankful that I never suffered the physical abuse, the harsh words took a very long time to heal from. At times I still hear those words in my head, but with the Lord's help, I can move past it. I have to move past it!
Step away from abusive relationships. Go where it is safe!
While I am thankful that I never suffered the physical abuse, the harsh words took a very long time to heal from. At times I still hear those words in my head, but with the Lord's help, I can move past it. I have to move past it!
Step away from abusive relationships. Go where it is safe!
Quilts and Rag Rugs
Do you love quilts and rag rugs? They are colorful reminders of the past. I have a "Grandma's Flower Garden" quilt that my mother started about eighty years ago. The quilt pieces were about the size of a postage stamp! She had gotten the quilt top pieced over the years, but about 20 years ago I took the quilt top and finished it...hand stitching the quilting myself. It took me seven years! Of course there were what seemed like a billion pieces!
Grandma had a rag rug that was much like the one described in "Nan's Journey."
Post your thoughts on quilts and rag rugs here!
Grandma had a rag rug that was much like the one described in "Nan's Journey."
Post your thoughts on quilts and rag rugs here!
The Importance of Obtaining a Will
In "Nan's Journey" a Will played an important part. My husband and I taught a class with Crown Financial about how important it is to have an updated will, especially if you have children. Let me encourage you to be sure you have an updated will and have your guardians for your children named. Putting something this important off is something you do not want to do. It is vital!
You want to be sure where your estate goes.
You want to know who is going to raise your children.
You want your spouse to be provided for.
It is especially important for young couples to have a will. It is not just for old people!
You want to be sure where your estate goes.
You want to know who is going to raise your children.
You want your spouse to be provided for.
It is especially important for young couples to have a will. It is not just for old people!
Scrapbooking Our Memories
I am in the process of scrapbooking the beautiful old photos of my family. I love to purchase the old fashioned papers and accessories to make them look just right. Post your best scrapbooking ideas and brands here.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Funny Clean Stories
This is the spot where your funny clean stories are going to be featured. Please feel welcome to post anything that makes you giggle.
I will get the posts going... In "Nan's Journey", Mary was amused at the way the overalls blew in the wind on the clothesline as if Sam Dewey was walking in them. I remember looking out the window with my mama on windy west Texas days. Sometimes the legs of those pants would go into such contortions we would laugh our heads off!
Next time I will post about Terry and the underground electric fence....what a hoot.
I will get the posts going... In "Nan's Journey", Mary was amused at the way the overalls blew in the wind on the clothesline as if Sam Dewey was walking in them. I remember looking out the window with my mama on windy west Texas days. Sometimes the legs of those pants would go into such contortions we would laugh our heads off!
Next time I will post about Terry and the underground electric fence....what a hoot.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
What people are saying about "Nan's Journey."
This is what people are saying about Nan's Journey:
"The best Christian fiction book I've read in years!" Janice Henson
"Really great book-can't wait for the next one. Keep it up. God bless." Danna Castor
"The best ever--everyone MUST read this book; it will remain in your heart forever! (This needs to be made into a movie!) Gayle Henderson
"Nan's Journey was one of the best novels that I have read! It is one, that when you start reading, you will not want to put it down! Elaine has truly been blessed and gifted by the Lord to write books." Kristi Pickett
"I thought it was wonderful and cannot wait for the next one." Rene Gay Richardson
Read This Book!!!!!!!!!! Hey Everyone Just thought I'd throw this out there for all my friends.....YOU HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"NAN's Journey"BY ELAINE LITTAU
I just read this book, I'm telling you I could not put it down...I cannot wait until she has her second book out I'll be first to purchase one....
Elaine is from here in Perryton and she just recently publisher this first book "Nan's Journey" and it will shortly be released worldwide...You can get a copy of this book by calling 435-7775 or going by Blades and just ask for this book.....or just ask me I can get you one k....I think they run about $14.06....
I haven't even read a book in several years, since that book "The boy called it" that one Oprah talked about on her talk show and believe me this book is better, it is the best book I have ever read......Especially for any woman you won't want to put it down...When you read this book you actually feel as if you are the main character and endure all the hardships and happiness....OKAY OKAY I won't say anymore.........I can't wait until they make a movie about this book....Elaine you are so talented!!!!!!I cannot wait for the following book...
Love your friend,Angie Landeros
"The best Christian fiction book I've read in years!" Janice Henson
"Really great book-can't wait for the next one. Keep it up. God bless." Danna Castor
"The best ever--everyone MUST read this book; it will remain in your heart forever! (This needs to be made into a movie!) Gayle Henderson
"Nan's Journey was one of the best novels that I have read! It is one, that when you start reading, you will not want to put it down! Elaine has truly been blessed and gifted by the Lord to write books." Kristi Pickett
"I thought it was wonderful and cannot wait for the next one." Rene Gay Richardson
Read This Book!!!!!!!!!! Hey Everyone Just thought I'd throw this out there for all my friends.....YOU HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"NAN's Journey"BY ELAINE LITTAU
I just read this book, I'm telling you I could not put it down...I cannot wait until she has her second book out I'll be first to purchase one....
Elaine is from here in Perryton and she just recently publisher this first book "Nan's Journey" and it will shortly be released worldwide...You can get a copy of this book by calling 435-7775 or going by Blades and just ask for this book.....or just ask me I can get you one k....I think they run about $14.06....
I haven't even read a book in several years, since that book "The boy called it" that one Oprah talked about on her talk show and believe me this book is better, it is the best book I have ever read......Especially for any woman you won't want to put it down...When you read this book you actually feel as if you are the main character and endure all the hardships and happiness....OKAY OKAY I won't say anymore.........I can't wait until they make a movie about this book....Elaine you are so talented!!!!!!I cannot wait for the following book...
Love your friend,Angie Landeros
How to get a copy of "Nan's Journey"
Elaine Littau
Author
To obtain a copy of
Nan's Journey
click on one of these links
http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-60247-832-9
Featured author on www.christianstoryteller.com
for an audio version... http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-60462-306-2
Author
To obtain a copy of
Nan's Journey
click on one of these links
http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-60247-832-9
Featured author on www.christianstoryteller.com
for an audio version... http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-60462-306-2
Current Issues Addressed in "Nan's Journey"
Although "Nan's Journey" is set in the 1800s, Nan and her brother faced many of the challenges some children face today. If you have a story of how you overcame some of these issues, please feel free to post it here.
Fiction Lovers Old Time Recipes
Do you have a recipe that you love from your grandma's table? Please share it here.