Romantic comedy author Lindi Peterson burst onto the book scene last year with the release of Her Best Catch. I’ll be the first to admit that in the past I was never a big fan of this genre. ‘Chick Lit’ or ‘Hen Lit’, as it used to be called, just didn’t interest me. Whenever I heard somebody say ‘chick lit’, I immediately thought of a pack of gum, a gaggle of giggling girls and basically wanted to hightail it in the opposite direction.
I’m so glad somebody came up with the bright idea of simply calling these stories what they are – romantic comedies. God definitely has a sense of humor, because most of the great critique partners I’ve had over the years write in this genre. I’ve slowly learned to love it. And, as fate would have it, Lindi and I ended up becoming critique partners too, and her books have convinced me that I do indeed love romantic comedy! Thankfully she’s not opposed to a little angst and books that’ll deplete your Kleenex supply in a hurry, which is what I tend to write. Lindi and I have become good friends, as often happens when you find a great CP, and even got to meet in person last year in Atlanta!
If you’re a Jenny B. Jones or Sandie Bricker fan, you’re going to love Lindi Peterson. But enough of my bragging, let me turn you over to Lindi!
The Word of The Year
In strolling around the Internet over the New Year’s holiday, I’ve seen a lot of posts regarding people’s ‘word of the year.’ Either it’s a new thing or I’ve been oblivious in previous years to notice this as a trend.
A trend I must say I like.
I don’t feel confident in stating my specific Word yet. I’ve not prayed on it enough. But there is one word that keeps coming to mind.
Passion.
I have a speaking engagement in January and I had to come up with something to speak about. (A great concept, right?) After much searching and praying the talk ended up being titled, Passion Wins! A little spin on the controversial Rob Bell book title, Love Wins.
As we pen our novels, I do believe sheer passion can get us through the most difficult times. The lagging middle, the subplot that isn’t working, even the days in front of a blank page. I believe that we have a passion for the process as well as the story. Certainly not all aspects of the process or the story, but the ones we do have a passion for must carry us through the rough spots.
I also believe we all have a core passion that comes across in our works. If you’ve written more than one novel, look into the stories you’ve told. I’m sure there is a consistent theme running through them. When we dig down deep to find our message, our passion, the stories you write will sing with your song. The song only you know the words to.
I’m also a visually inspired person. Don’t give me a manual and tell me to read about how to set up the new DVR. Just SHOW me! One of my bulletin boards I look at while I’m writing inspires this passion. On it are lots of things about my June 2012 release, Summer Song. Britney on the front of People magazine with the headline—My New Life. Summer, in my novel, is a singer who is starting a new life. Perfect! Also, you see a piece of paper with words written on it. Those are words to the song, Trying To Make You Sing, by my favorite band, The David Crowder Band. Those words are the heart of the story. And the couple in the ad at the top right corner totally showed the attitude of my novel. There’s also some contest finals certificates and a small post card of my first published novel, Her Best Catch, which came out March 2011.
All sorts of inspiration.
All indicators of my passion.
What about you? Do you know your message? Do you know what you are passionate about?
We’re giving away 2 gift copies of my March 2011 release, Her Best Catch. Leave a comment to be entered in the drawing.
A special thanks to Cathy—a fabulous author!! (And a great friend!) I appreciate you having my on your blog.
About Her Best Catch:
But with the help of family, old friends she really hasn’t lost, a new friend she really can count on, and God, she begins to find out whether she’ll always be a girl waiting for life to happen or a woman who’s ready to commit to her best catch.
Lindi Peterson definitely believes happy endings are just the beginning. She lives out her real life romance with her husband in a small Georgia town. When she’s not writing, she loves to read, bowl and spend time with her family.
Visit her at: LindiPeterson.com or TheFaithGirls.com
Cathy West said:
Lindi, great to have you here! I have also been following all the postings about picking one word. I think mine has to be patience. I am not exactly sure how to get it, but I know I need to! Great post! Can’t wait for Summer Song!!
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Missy Tippens said:
Cathy and Lindi, great post!
Lindi, I have to admit when I read your visual paragraph, I thought you started by saying you’re visually IMPAIRED. LOL!!! And I kept reading, thinking, oh, no, she didn’t mean to say impaired!
That’s what I get for reading too quickly. And for these bleary eyes of mine. I guess it’s time for more coffee. 🙂
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Julie Lessman said:
LINDI!!! A woman after my own heart!!! For a romance writer, NOTHING is more important than passion, in my opinion, both for God and for romance, so I’m right behind you on that one, girl!! And visually inspired and David Crowder??? Ditto, ditto!! Been DYING to get my hands on this book since it came out, but I don’t buy a lot of books because the review/endorsement TBR is always so high (as authors, you and Cathy know about that, I’m sure!! But if I won it, I would definitely sneak it in at the top).:)
Thanks, Cath and Lindi, for a fun post and a chance to get to know Lindi better.
Hugs,
Julie
gsus(at)charter(dot)net
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Sandra Orchard said:
Wonderful to learn more about you, Lindi. I love your word of the year. Like you, the concept is new to me this year, and I’m reading about it everywhere. I enjoy romantic comedy, although I’ve never thought of chick lit as romantic comedy. Chick lit evokes in my mind city girls obsessed with shopping and men and lattes and prada shoes. LOL
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Karen Black said:
Hi Lindi! I love your word passion, and I can say as a friend, and fellow worshiper, that you have great passion for the Lord, and you not only share it in your writing, you live it day to day! You inspire me and give me great hope in my daily life and now through your novels.
Hope, is the word that I choose! I try to be a message of hope and encouragement in this fast-paced and ever-changing world. God has brought me through many difficult circumstances, and always to a better place. Being able to put my trust in Him, has given me peace in the midst of my circumstances and allows me to be a more credible witness for Christ. If I can do it, you can do it too! Let’s help each other along the way, because He is the hope that we all have through Him each day! Great is His faithfulness!!!
I am excited for Summer Song to come out, and for the other great work that God is doing in your life! You have worked hard and faithfully, and you deserve all of the blessings !:-)
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Jennifer Hudson Taylor said:
Lindi, I agree with Cathy. Chic Lit never appealed to me, but romantic comedy does. It’s amazing how a category name can change one’s thought process like that. Congrats, Lindi!
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Sally Shupe said:
This sounds like a great book. I love romantic comedies. Your interview was awesome. I enjoyed getting to know you. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
tscmshupe [at] pemtel [dot] net
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Gloria C said:
My word for 2011 — which in most cases is just a theme I keep hearing from God — was dependence (on Him). It’s a lot of fun recognizing how many ways God talks to us when I look back over the year and see a recurring theme.
I, too, like a good romantic comedy. Thanks for the opportunity to win one.
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Zillah Williams said:
Lindi, what you said about looking back at what you’ve written to identify the common thread got my attention. And, as you say, it reflects something we’re passionate about. It can’t help coming through.
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Missy Tippens said:
Cathy, I forgot to say not to enter me in the giveaway. I already have Lindi’s book! It’s amazing. I loved it!
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Lindi said:
Missy–well with my vision I guess I am truly impaired!!! But contacts and glasses help that. And you know I’m not above mixing words up–thanks to you for catching them when I do. 🙂
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Missy Tippens said:
Well, at first I thought you really were going to talk about your contact/glasses! 🙂
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Lindi said:
Julie—I think passion–I think Julie Lessman! Truly–your Passion books, well!! Nuff said. 🙂 We’ll just following each other around trying to win each others books. Hey, I love it!
Sandra–I’m not a shopper—am terrible with brand names, so the ‘traditional’ chick lit type story evades me. But my girls do go to the coffee shop. Once! Thanks for stopping by.
Karen–girl!! My word regarding you is inspiring. You have such faith and love in your heart. 🙂 I’m so blessed to be your friend. Thanks checking out the blog. Cathy’s book is amazing!
Jenn, it is crazy, isn’t it, how a couple of words can change a whole perspective. I’m glad you came by!
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Lindi said:
Sally—thanks for visiting Cathy’s blog. She’s a great lady. 🙂
Gloria–great word. And I agree about it being kind of an ongoing theme.
Zillah–I was looking at my works over the weekend and it was SCARY how my ‘theme’ reoccurs–and I had no clue.
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christylashea said:
Hi Lindi & Cathy – Great post! I’m not sure what word I would choose for the new year would be. I know I’m passionate about the stories I write. They fuel me and drain me at the same time. I’m trying to be more punctual, so perhaps punctuality is my word for ’12.
I loved Lindi’s book Her Best Catch – I have it, so don’t enter me to win. I loved it! Read it in one sitting and that hasn’t happened in a while.
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Lindi said:
Christy, I like that word, punctuality. I think I need a little, (lot) of that!!
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Bethany said:
I have chosen “embrace” for 2012. I don’t have a blog post up about it yet, but I hope to embrace all that life has given me- to enjoy the small things. My passion lately seems to be heading in the direction of children and traveling– mainly to those less fortunate. My sister and I are heading to Guatemala for a week in the summer and I am really looking forward to it. 🙂
I haven’t read Lindi’s book but it sounds interesting!
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Lindi said:
Bethany—I love your word! Awesome. I know God will be working through you on your trip.
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