Facebook Works—Five Tribes Story Conference

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The Graceful Entrance

My mom and I arrived in Muskogee too late for checking into the hotel before the reception started, so we drove straight to the Five Civilized Tribes Museum. Please note: I was in my comfy four hour driving clothes and hadn’t put on make-up yet. Or plucked that one pesky chin hair.

As soon as we pulled into the parking lot, who else had just arrived? Tim Tingle, international Choctaw author and storyteller, and event co-coordinator. He waves and comes over to the car. I hold the tweezers inconspicuously. He insists we make him feel better for being casual and waits by the car to walk inside with us. So much for slapping on some make-up.

Recognition

But how did this man, who we’ve not seen since last year, recognize and call us by name? Facebook, of course. We connected with him and several others after meeting at the conference last year. Not a lot of conversation between us on there, but he’s been keeping up with my writing/storytelling and my mom’s filmmaking.

Once inside, Tim (he insists we just call him Tim) starts engaging in other conversations. I slip back out to fix up a bit. My mom and I then ascended the stairs to the reception area with the elegant white table clothes covering a dozen tables with chairs. I was in denim shorts and too frazzled to take any pictures.

We drop our keys-n-such on one of the half occupied tables as we head to dip up plates of refreshments. Upon returning to the table, before I could set my plate down, the lady across from me asked, “Aren’t you Elisabeth?”

Uh, okay. “Yes, well, Sarah Elisabeth.”

She shook her finger knowingly. “I thought it was you. We met last year, I’m Francine.”

I instantly recognized the name. “Francine Bray? With the Choctaw pony conservation thing?”

Facebook at work again.

Next to join our table is Greg Rodgers, who mentored under Tim Tingle for four years and is now quite an accomplished author and storyteller himself. Hadn’t seen him in a year either outside of, you guessed it, Facebook.

“Hey Lynda and Sarah. How are y’all doing? Saw the picture of your first storytelling. Congratulations!”

The next day, as he moderated the first panel discussion, Greg did special recognition of three or four authors, storytellers and professors in the audience. I was shocked when he included me.

It Works

Greg was after me all through the conference, trying to get me to the mic to tell a story. I wish I had had one prepared.

Facebook. It keeps your face in front of those you want to remember you. So choose a good profile pic.

 

For Him,

Sarah Elisabeth

 

Special Announcement!

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Wait, isn’t that the term you use for new arrivals, as in babies? If so, my title is appropriate, because the publication of a debut novel follows much of the same pattern as having your first baby. From conception, through the anxiety and joy-filled thoughts of motherhood, to the impatient anticipation of the big day, not quite sure exactly when that will be, or what it will be like. The agonizing pains of labor, the sweat, the tears, the fear. And then…it’s all over. You hold the newborn book, uh, baby in your arms at last.

No, I’ve never had a baby. No, I’ve never published a novel. But my friend has. (Just the latter, of course!)

Without further rabbit trail hopping, I’d like to announce the publication of The Kingmakers, by Serafia Cross. I couldn’t be more excited for my dear friend. She has worked so consistently on drafting and editing this novel series, The Last King of Legends, it puts me to shame. Visit her website www.SerafiaCross.com for details on the series and an excerpt from the novel.

 

 

In 1174 King Baldwin IV of Jerusalem is thrust into power at age thirteen. Only a few individuals know his greatest secret—he is a leper. Despite all their training and abilities, they cannot teach him to live long, so they teach him how to reign great and craft a king myths are made of—a king history almost forgot. They are The Kingmakers to The Last King of Legends.

Book One, The Kingmakers, is now available. Get a copy.

‘Nuff said.

For Him,

Sarah Elisabeth

Time To Man Up

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  Courageous begins with four law enforcement officers who know what it is to lay their life on the line every day for the safety of citizens. Yet are they willing to daily lay down their lives for their families?

Adam Mitchell, Nathan Hayes and their partners face drug thugs, gangsters, and threats on the job; at home they face disconnected teenagers, concerned spouses, and brokenness. They give their best on the official job, but then just get by with their life’s calling of fatherhood.

When tragedy strikes, Adam Mitchell is left in a tailspin that halts and brings into question everything he’s ever known. But it sets him on a journey to find out what God really wants of him as a father. The answers he uncovers overwhelms him, and he knows he can’t do it alone.

His partners in fighting crime become his partners in becoming the fathers God called them to be. Adding strength to their group is Javy, a construction worker who struggles to support his family financially. But he knows how to implement the spiritual upbringing he experienced from his own father.

In between drug busts, beatings, shootouts, and the battle with public opinion, these law enforcement officers learn what it means to man up as a godly dad.

 

I’ve been anticipating the next Sherwood Pictures story since I saw the movie trailer for Courageous. When I received a copy of the novelization by Randy Alcorn, I devoured it faster than any novel in a long time.

Just to be clear: the novel is based on the screenplay by Alex and Stephen Kendrick. The novel is now available, preceding the movie which opens in theaters on September 30th.

So, what do I think of the novel and storyline? In a word: YES! As in, hooray. I loved the premise and the delivery. This is something America needs. That families need. Churches need. So many issues in society today go back to the breakdown in the home. Not saying that breakdown is always a result of dads’ lack of involvement, but this attests to the fact that dads can begin to turn their families around.

I was leery during the opening chapter, wondering if they could really pull off a novelization, then I was floored. And hooked. So many twists and turns I was almost afraid to read the next chapter, but of course I had to. I just hope some favorite parts and characters aren’t left out of the movie. I know Randy Alcorn had to add extra scenes and characters to expand the screenplay to novel length, so I’ll accept whatever changes were made, and know I can read the book again.

As a writer, I couldn’t help noticing the POV (Point of View) shifts. You could tell it was based on a screenplay! But Randy Alcorn did them so seamlessly, you couldn’t help but be caught up in the action.

I have to recommend you read the novel. There are so many descriptions and characters you don’t get in a movie. And the closing line just left you with a sense of WOW.

At the same time, the book only whet my appetite and I can’t wait to be in a movie theater for the second time in my life. We plan to go with our church opening night.

 

For Him,

Sarah Elisabeth

I highly recommend aspiring and seasoned authors to read this interview with Randy Alcorn:

http://www.titletrakk.com/author-interviews/randy-alcorn-courageous-movie-interview.htm

http://www.courageousthemovie.com

And for legal purposes: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Tyndale House Publishers.