Wednesday, January 4, 2012

New Year...New Tagline

I always find myself pretty introspective this time of year, with all the talk of resolutions and diets and self-improvement. You too?

One of the changes I’ve decided to make this year is my tagline. What I’m going with is:

Love that overcomes.

What do you think?

I chose this phrase because I really *really* love reading and writing stories where one of the main characters has to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. It can be something from their past, or an obstacle that comes up during the book, but the bigger or deeper the problem, the more I love the story. Especially if it involves a big sacrifice at the end.

Here are some of my favorites:

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (Austen): Darcy has to overcome Lizzie’s objections, save her family’s reputation and conquer his pride to win her heart.

THE TWILIGHT SAGE (Stephenie Meyers): Bella has to overcome her bad luck and clumsiness along with Edward’s need to control everything.

LONGING FOR HOME (Kathryn Springer): Alex has to overcome his need to be in charge of everything and the deeper fears of abandonment to be able to accept Kate’s love.

THE CHRISTMAS CHILD (Linda Goodnight): Kade has to overcome the demons of his past before he can allow himself to trust Sophie’s love.

And in my upcoming release THE HOMESTEADER’S SWEETHEART (May), hero Jonas White has already overcome big obstacles, including his past, a scandal, and making a home out on the harsh Wyoming plains. But can he conquer Penny’s heart when they come from such different worlds?

I’m going to do a drawing from all the commenters today. The winner will receive an advance reader copy of THE HOMESTEADER’S SWEETHEART in PDF format. I’ll notify the winner by email so make sure your email is in your comment!

18 comments:

  1. I don't want to sound sexist or anything but I think when it comes to men overcoming the obstacles it's harder than with women.

    It is not a coincidence that the women accompanied Jesus through His Golgota while the men stayed two steps behind and even, for a minute, refused to carry the Cross with Him.

    Men are, from the crib, taught they're tough, they shouldn't cry and when things fails and they need to bend, to cry, is an hard task. I like to see a man overcome his fears and get in touch with their humanity in detriment of the Godnesslike sense installed in them since Adam.

    There are lots of heart-warming cases in Love Inspired Romances, comes to my mind Merrillee's Four Little Blessings (where Wade goes to extent of hidding his disease in order to not be seen as a less perfect Indiana Jones) and on Missy's "A Family for Faith" where Gabe is holding, like crazy, to the pain and sorrowness... and a sofá.

    And the list could go on and on, but the fact remains that it doubles the heart warmth when you see the "strong men" facing the same self-doubt as we, the fragile ones ;). It is also a rare view of men and human stripped to the bare of their souls and that can only make you stronger and better.

    Wishing you the best on your goals and your writing which, I believe, is a strong tool to help yourself overcome those "insurmontable".

    "...
    Even though I walk through the valley
    of the shadow of death,
    I fear no evil;
    for You are with me;
    Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
    ...
    "

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  2. First, I have to agree with Teresa's comment. Marvelous.

    Lacy, I really like the tag line and your reasoning behind it. I am one of those readers who prefers her romances to have those obstacles for the characters, the more insurmountable the better. There is nothing more wonderful than thinking, "now, how is the writer going to solve this dilemma?" to keep me turning those pages as fast as I can.

    Peace, Julie

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  3. Overcoming obstacles is a page-turner for me as well. I just finished reading Janet Dean's 'An Inconvenient Match' (Jan. LIH) and a past family tragedy is the outward obstacle, but it's the hero and heroine's inward obstacles that really raised my blood-pressure and kept me turning pages.

    Just when things seemed to be getting better Abigail would set up another emotional road block until I wanted to slap her silly! LOL. Trouble was I could see where she was coming from too so I could kind of sympathize with her. I had to keep reminding myself that while I was party to Wade's innermost thoughts (thanks to the author), poor Abby wasn't! That's the kind of conflict that keeps me reading.

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  4. Cool tagline. I haven't thought about mine although I think I put one on my business cards. lol
    Congrats on your upcoming release!

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  5. I also agree with Teresa, well said Teresa.

    Like the tag line!

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
    wrensthoughts.blogspot.com

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  6. I do love that tag line...says so much in a few words, which is what a tag line should do!

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  7. I love the tag line. I also agree with Teresa. I can't wait to read this.

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  8. I love the tag line. I also agree with Teresa. I can't wait to read this.
    cathyann40 at yahoo dot com
    I'm sorry I'm have problems here.

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  9. Thanks for all the great comments and keep them coming.

    Teresa, I totally agree about the poignancy of men getting in touch with those innermost conflicts. It can make for some really good reading!

    Thanks for the other book suggestions, too, you all. If only I had more time to read...

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  10. Lacy, I love that tag line.

    Teresa, I agree! I love to see a tough hero. But I Iove even more when he breaks down and shows his tender, vulnerable side. Thanks for mentioning my story. I had so much fun writing poor Gabe. :)

    Julie, thanks for that reminder to make sure we throw seemingly insurmountable obstacles at them!

    Kav, I agree. I loved Janet's story and the setup.

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  11. Hi! You have a great blog! I love your opinions and your posts! I would like to take this chance and become a follower of your blogue! and say that I would really love if you tool a look at mine and even follow me!
    See you around <3

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  12. Lacy, I also like your tagline! I enjoyed your first book so much! I've been waiting to see what the next book would bring! Obstacles happen to us all. I think we enjoy seeing what others do to overcome them and perhaps we can "use their example" in our own lives! You can't go through life with lots of obstacles - big or small! Sometimes all in one day, one week, one year! Can't wait to read this book. Does it follow Marrying Miss Marshall or are they totally different characters and places? Valri

    westernaz@msn.com

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  13. Lacy, the tagline is perfect for the kind of stories you like to write. Love it!

    Kav, thanks for your shout out for An Inconvenient Match. Hope you've lost the urge to slap Abigail. If not, she's sitting on my desk. I'll smack her for you. Not hard. LOL

    Janet

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  14. Love the new tag line also and the reasoning for it.

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  15. Lacy, nice tagline. I think the wonderful thing about writing Christian romance is having the characters finally realize that they can't overcome by themselves. They need God's help.

    Teresa, what a wonderful comment and thanks for mentioning my book, Four Little Blessings. Wade was trying not to show any vulnerability to the woman he had come to love, but he finally realizes that she loves him and doesn't care that he isn't perfect, and he knows that God loves him, too.

    May God give us all the strength to reach our goals.

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  16. Valri,thanks for the shout out for Miss Marshal. THE HOMESTEADER'S SWEETHEART comes out in May so be watching for it! I had a lot of fun writing both books and am now working on #3...
    Also, the Marshal does make a cameo at the end but it features a new romance.

    Great comments everyone--I'll pick the winner (randomly) tomorrow morning and post it.

    ReplyDelete

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