Skip to main content

Looking Out the Window: Fay Lamb Talks About Because of Me, Shares an Excerpt and Gives Away a Copy

Because of Me was chosen as a finalist in the prestigious 2010 American Christian Fiction Writers’ Genesis Contest.




Fay will give away a copy. To enter to win leave a comment and your email address.


Welcome, Fay. First, tell us a little about yourself.
My husband and I live in Titusville, Florida, where multi-generations of both of our families were born and resided. I work as an acquisitions editor for Pelican Book Group, and I volunteer with American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), as secretary for their operating board and as a co-moderator of ACFW’s large critique group, Scribes.


Sometimes people are curious about a writer's motivations. Would you share why you write with us?
I write because I have to write. I have stories bouncing around in my head, and I have to get them on paper. Writing is a stress release, and it’s my passion.

Tell us about your latest book.
Because of Me is the story of Michael Hayes, once a promising young investigative reporter, and his fiancée, Issie Putnam. In his ambition, Michael leads Issie into a very dangerous situation, and their lives are changed forever. Michael is convicted of a crime he didn’t commit and sent to prison while Issie is left alone to raise a child born of a crime committed against her on that fateful night. When Michael returns to their hometown to protect Issie from the man who harmed her, he finds that she’s not alone. Issie is raising her son, and though Michael is not the child’s father, the boy was definitely born because of him.


What suspense! And interesting characters.! How do you get to know your characters?

I know that writers have various ways that they connect to their characters. Some have written back stories, some journal, some interview them. I simply learn about them as I write. I love being surprised by what a character will tell me and allowing the reader to experience the same surprise.

What themes do you write about?
I’m an issue-oriented writer. That doesn’t mean that I’ve gone through the situations in which I place my characters, but I have gone through the results of those situations: bitterness, anger, lack of self-esteem.

It sounds as though you put lots of emotion into your books. What is your writing schedule and where do you write?
My writing schedule varies because I have other projects. I have discovered that my most creative period of the day is between 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. That works well if I’m writing in the mountains and my time is pretty much my own. There I have a desk in my bedroom that sits in front of a window that overlooks the mountains. In Florida, I have an office in our house, and the window there overlooks our azalea garden in the front yard.

The mountains and azaleas offer an inspiring view. Do you have to juggle writing with a job, family responsibilities or other obligations? How do you balance it?
I do juggle, but generally, I work better if I have several projects going at one time. If I have one project, my mind seems to wander. I’ve developed a routine that works well for my spastic mind: I assign several minutes in an hour to work on each job I have before me.

 Are you a plotter or a pantzer?
I’m an in-between. I use the LOCK system James Scott Bell teaches where you use an index sized card and include the following: a LEAD character doing something interesting that moves the story forward; the OBJECTIVE of the lead character in that scene; the CONFLICT keeping the lead character from his objective; and the KICKER ending for the scene. This allows me to be more creative than an outline.

 Thanks for sharing. Does your faith affect your writing? How?
Although I’ve written since I was a small child, it wasn’t until I reached my mid-twenties, that I realized that any talent that I have been given to develop comes from God. If it weren’t for my faith, I’d have nothing worth writing.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Don’t give up. Don’t let anyone steal your dreams. Working with critique groups, I see so many take criticisms the wrong way. They fold when they should learn and continue forward. If the criticism is unfounded, learn to recognize that. If the critic is on point, adapt your writing accordingly. Writing is a career for the most patient. Don’t take shortcuts, but never give up.
Thanks, Fay.


About Because of Me
Not your typical Christian fiction.
Michael’s fiancée, Issie Putnam, was brutally attacked and Michael was imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit. Now he’s home to set things right.
Two people stand in his way: Issie’s son, Cole, and a madman.
Can Michael learn to love the child Issie holds so close to her heart and protect him from the man who took everything from Michael so long ago?
Available through all fine book retailers, Amazon.com, and Mountainview Publishing (http://www.trebleheartbooks.com/MVLamb), a division of Treble Heart Books.


Bio: Fay works as an editor for Pelican Book Group, the publisher of White Rose Publishing/Harbourlight Books. As a part of the Pelican Book Group Staff Blog, she contributes to Tactical Tuesdays: Advice for Self- Editing. http://www.pelicanbookgroup.com/
Learn more about Fay at her Web site


An Excerpt from Because of Me
Looking out her open window through the pouring rain, Issie stared in amazement at the ruts gouged deep in the mire where they’d spun in circles. Their path had taken them away from the creek and across the road to slam up against one of the hundred year old elms. A miracle for sure. Her airbags hadn’t even deployed. Deep, shuddering breaths shook her body. She collapsed over the steering wheel again and sobbed.
Cole touched her. “Mommy, we’re safe. We can walk from here.”
So calm. Where did he get that part of his nature?
Yes, they were safe for the moment, but she’d feel even safer at home with Cole in his pajamas after a warm shower.
Issie groped around in the back of the Jeep, feeling for the blanket she always kept there. Rough wool grazed her fingertips. She pushed open the door, stepped out of the vehicle, and tugged the blanket over her head. Cole climbed across the seat and out to stand under the blanket she’d spread over her. The make-shift shelter did little to protect them against the driving rain.
Cole’s hand gripped her shirt. Water dripped from his bangs onto his straight little nose. His drenched clothing stuck to his body. His teeth chattered, and he let out a broken “Brrr” under his breath. She kept the woolen cover over them and started down the road toward home.
She looked down at him. “What do you say to a warm shower, a grilled cheese sandwich, some warm cookies, and a glass of milk?”
He smiled up at her. “Yeah.”
“Are you okay?” The voice emanated from outside their cloth protection.
Someone was on her property. She was alone and vulnerable. Issie screamed and pushed her son behind her.
“Are you okay?” the man asked again.
Her entire body quaked. Even in the downpour she caught the faint scent of his bay rum cologne. She lifted the blanket.
A smile turned his lips and years fell away from his worn and weary features. Water ran in rivulets through his too-long hair and dripped from his scraggly mustache and goatee.
Michael.
Issie placed her hand over her heart—the heart that would forever belong to him.
“Mommy, it’s Michael, just like I told you,” Cole sang out.
Issie swayed. Would God be so merciful to her to send him now when she needed him most?
Michael reached out and steadied her. She closed her eyes at his touch. This wasn’t a dream. He was home.
“Issie?” Her name on his lips brought a shiver, and she opened her eyes. Lightning illuminated the area for a brief second, and a boom of thunder broke over them. “My truck’s over here. Let me give you a ride home.”
“Are you really Michael?” Cole blinked the rain out of his eyes.
“And how would you be a’knowing that, lad?” Michael asked.
Issie giggled at the brogue he always mimicked so easily when he’d been around Matilda. Michael’s gaze fell on her lips as if fascinated by her action, the way he’d always done when she laughed.
“Michael.” She found her voice. “It really is you.”

Comments

Miss Mae said…
Wonderful excerpt and premise! And I already love your heroine for keeping this child. Sounds like a terrific book!
Connie Almony said…
The book sounds fascinating. Glad to finally "meet" the great Fay Lamb. Heard lots of wonderful things about you from my crit partner June Foster who quotes you in her critiques.
Anne Patrick said…
Enjoyed the interview, ladies. Sounds like an interesting book. Wishing you both continued success!
Carmen said…
I'm excited for the book because of the suspense, but also for the fact that Issue chose to raise her child despite the way he was conceived.

Please enter me.

Linda at: desertrose5173 at gmail dot com
Gina said…
Dear Fay and Gail - what a compelling excerpt.

Fay, it's really nice to meet you and I enjoyed learning about your ideas and techniques about writing. I am going to try the james Scott Bell LOCK system in my next book. Also it's nice to meet a fellow Treble Heart author! Is this your first book with them? I look forward to reading "Because of Me". Good luck with your writing.

Gail, your blog is awesome and consistently one of my very favorite stops every week. Thanks for another treat this week.

Hugs,
Regina
I enjoyed reading the interview and the short 'peek' at this new book. It sounds like a book I would really enjoy and it would be great to win a copy--especially if it is available on e-book. I travel a lot w/ my hubby for his job, so e-books work the best for me, since they don't add extra weight...but ANY book that is free would be wonderful! I can always find a LITTLE space in my luggage for 1 or 2...especially if it is a signed copy! vmarney@hotmail.com
June Foster said…
Gail, Fay is one of my most favorite people in the world. She has helped me more than anyone else I can think of in learning the craft of writing. I'm so glad you are interviewing her this week. Please don't enter me in the contest. I already have an autographed copy of Because of Me.
Finbar said…
Very interesting ideas and system of developing the storyline. Keeping the reader interested is the key to success. Keep it up and thanks for sharing your motivations with everyone
To write brogue can be very hard but fun. "And how would you be a’knowing that, lad?" I'm impressed. I would love to try it sometime but I'm afraid of making a mistake. Good luck on your new book.
Laurean Brooks said…
Hi Fay,

I enjoyed this interview. I can't imagine working until 2 a.m., but sometimes I'm tempted when I can't sleep to get up and write.

I'd never termed it that way before, but I guess I'm an issue-oriented writer, too. Bitterness, unforgiveness, judgmental attitude--I like to bring my characters out of those entangling emotions through God's grace and healing.

I wish you much success with this awesome story. I'd love an autographed copy. landtbeth@yahoocom
Janice said…
I was just wondering after reading the excerpt if the inspiration for the character name Michael came from a certain angel? It seems he appeared just when he was needed in the scene!

I am learning about writing so the information about the LOCK system was helpful. Thank you for sharing that.

A window with a peaceful view of nature sounds so inviting for a spot to write or to read. I would love to win your book and read it in just such a setting!

Blessings, Janice
jsmithg(at)hotmail(dot)com
Anonymous said…
Hello, everyone. I just wanted to take a moment, again, to thank Gail for hosting me this week. I also wanted to voice my appreciate for the words of encouragement I found in your comments, and to answer the questions asked:
Gina: Because of Me is my first novel with Treble, and it has been a wonderful experience.
Janice: I never thought consciously of the Archangel Michael when I wrote the story, but we never know the depths of where our subconscious goes. In the novel it was my intent to show Michael as the one God would use to protect Issie and Cole.

Popular posts from this blog

Looking Out the Window: Memories on the Heart

Several weeks ago my husband, Rick, and I ate at a restaurant we frequent fairly regularly. The cute, young waitress who usually waits on us took our orders for burgers and fries. I’ll call her Mandy. As usual Mandy’s smile and bubbly personality brightened our day. We giggled and confessed to her that we shouldn’t eat the fries, but we were going to do it just this once. She joked. “Okay, you’re being bad today.” Not long after we got our food a couple came in and sat in the booth behind us. Mandy walked up to the table with her big grin. “Hi, how are you?” she asked. The man, who had salt and pepper colored hair and a pudgy face, spoke in a harsh tone, “I want the steak.” “Sure, which one would you like?” Mandy asked. “I don’t want you to put it in the microwave. That will make it tough. Do you understand?” Mandy’s lips turned down. “Yes sir, which one do you want to order?” “I want it medium rare. I don’t want blood oozing out of it. I want it cooked right.” “Yes sir, which steak di

Looking out the Window: Karen Malley Talks about Her New Book, Moonlight and Mystery. Giveaway.

  A Warm Welcome to Karen Malley Karen will give away an eBook of Moonlight and Mystery .  To enter to win leave a comment and email address below and enter the Rafflecopter contest. She also gives away a free short story each week for a newsletter sign-up. See below for her Website address. Hi Gail, thanks so much for having me on the blog today. It's my pleasure.  I’m happy to share with you a Bible verse and a recipe, and tell you about my newest book! One of my favorite Bible verses is Romans 10:9.  “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” I love this verse because it distills down the message of Christianity to its simplest elements. So often people add to the gospel, but it really all comes down to our belief in Jesus’ saving work on the cross. This verse tends to make its way into my writing. It’s in my latest novel, Moonlight and Mystery, when the heroine, Beth attends a carnival at a

Looking out the Window: Penny Zeller, Known for Heartfelt Stories of Faith, Talks about Her New Book, Dreams of the Heart. Giveaway.

  A Warm Welcome to Penny Zeller Penny will give away either an e-Book or a print copy (U.S. residents only) of Dreams of the Heart. Winner’s choice.  To enter to win join the Rafflecopter contest below, leave a comment and an email address. Hi Penny, Lots of writers were avid readers as children. How about you? If so, what did you read? I was an avid reader as a child, which I credit to my mom, who read to us and encouraged a love for books. Two of my favorite books were Wacky Wednesday and Harry the Dirty Dog. When I was older, I enjoyed reading Trixie Belden, Nancy Drew, and Little House on the Prairie. Why do you write? Because I can’t not write. It is my ministry and my passion. Tell us about your latest book, Dreams of the Heart   Sometimes the hardest battles take place in the heart. Poverty and abuse at the hands of her drunkard father leaves Hannah Bane trapped and alone. Without hope, she prays for a miracle just on the off-chance God will hear her. Will the handsome new