Every time we go by KFC, my kids ask me to honk and they yell 'Boo' out the window.
I've managed to include only enough historical detail to give the "flavor" of the time period while keeping the characters and story focal.
I would never believe it of you, my boy, regardless of the schemers your mother and sister turned out to be. You may not be the most clever boy, nor the most prudent, nor the most gentlemanlike, nor. . . Edward cleared his throat. Right! But you have a good heart, and I have every hope that with the proper education and mentoring you will be credit to the family yet.
But I don't think any parent can expect to escape this life without disappointing his child at some point. And the same could be said the other way around. We all of us fall short now and again, and disappoint someone dear to us, or ourselves. Thankfully, my parents have always been the forgiving sort.
Having been an editor for more than a decade, I thought I had a good idea of how much work was involved in writing a novel. I was wrong! Writing is a lot harder than I ever imagined - but worth it.
I believe a novel must first of all be a good story. My hope is that the spiritual message is woven in so well, is such a part of the fabric of the story and of the characters' lives, that it is subtle but meaningful. This is difficult to do well and is something I constantly endeavor to improve.
I received so many positive comments about the quotes that I decided to continue to use them in my novels.
You shouldn't need 60 full minutes to create a portrait that an audience doesn't forget. You should be able to make an impression that's lasting and resonant with one scene.
Grace and mercy are never deserved.
There is wealth but no wellbeing. What are you going to do with this wealth?
If you change a character too much, the audience falls out of love with the character, but characters need to evolve and grow over the years.