Issue #1

On-Your-Feet Fiction

An update from Columba Booth

The Lord upholds all who fall, and lifts up all who are bowed down (Psalm 145:14).

The ACFW Conference

Hi there!

Paul and I had a wonderful trip to Missouri in August. I know—can Missouri be wonderful in August? Why, yes! Granted, we were in an air-conditioned hotel for the first few days. But even in gorgeous Branson, we evaded the Missouri heat and mugginess.

We were in St. Louis for my first American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) conference. I learned a ton about the industry, met some truly good people, and enjoyed the lavish gala, where great authors received their awards.

Charles Martin, keynote speaker, told us that one reader said his book saved her from suicide. Charles persevered through eighty-six rejections before his first book was published.

What if he’d given up at rejection eighty-five?

Fiction has great power to heal. It can even transform societies—for good, or ill. My passion is to write stories that God will use to point people to Jesus. To display His love and glory. To lift people up when they’ve lost hope.

That’s why I wrote my tagline:

On-your-feet stories for knock-you-down times

Has fiction touched your life? I’d love to hear about it in a reply!

Thank you for signing up for my newsletter. Your interest and support mean the world to me.

Writing Update

I thought Second-Rate Substitute was finished—until about ten minutes into the first ACFW conference workshop, haha!

The main revelation was that “omniscient point of view (POV)” is frowned on. I had no idea! So I rewrote a bunch of omniscient POV scenes, this time getting into the heads of three more characters.

Changing up the point of view, it turns out, is a great way to better understand the story, and I’m thrilled with the results. The story gained more depth and texture from these changes.

Now I can honestly say the novel is finished, yay! Paul and I are praying for direction on how to publish it. I will let you know as the path becomes clear.

Meanwhile, a little about Second-Rate Substitute.

Here's the one-sentence “hook”:

Attorney Audrey’s career promises the male validation she craves. But she loves her nephew, too—and she can’t save them both.

Second-Rate Substitute features three children. Meet the kids:

Easton Beach: Audrey’s thoughtful ten-year-old nephew is too mature for his age. Someone has to remind his dad to pay the water bill! Easton responds to his parents’ dramas by abandoning his hobbies and looking out for his younger siblings.

Lillie Beach: Lillie is eight years old and a wiry little gymnast. She inherited her mom’s bubbly personality, and she is active and extraverted. She’s easily upset. Avoidance is her coping strategy, but it doesn’t always work. She cries a lot, and sometimes she fights with her brothers.

Warwick Beach: The youngest child at four, Warwick is sensitive and highly intelligent. He adores his dad and is devastated when Luke goes to jail. He is the family “canary,” hardest-hit by the upsets. He is active and has a lot to say about everything.

Prayer Request

Prayer is the lifeblood of transformative fiction. I’d be so thankful if you would pray for me in this process! Please ask God to give me words that communicate His love to the reader. Thank you!

How can I pray for you? Send a message!