The Next Big Thing Blog Hop

Today my blog is part of something bigger than usual. Last month, Angie Webb, invited me to join a blog hop called The Next Big Thing. This is an excellent opportunity for me to connect with other authors and for us to bless one another. The purpose is to help readers discover the next great book or author; i.e. the one they will be compelled to read or the author whose work they simply can’t put down. Please check out Angie's memoir on her blog at the following link: http://www.angiewebb.wordpress.com

What is awesome about this blog hop is the exciting adventure to learn about authors from various genres and styles. One may never know the possibilities in our future. Her work might just be the next big thing, or perhaps mine, too. Whatever the case, we are living out our passion for writing and making a positive difference within our world.

Another part of this blog hop involves me answering ten questions about my book:

1. What is the working title of your book? Harvest of Hope: Living Victoriously Through Adversity

2. Where did you get the idea for your book? It was the summer of 2011 when God nudged me from sleep to open my bible. Feeling rather tired, initially, I did not obey. Silently, I wrestled with God. "Lord, not now." The truth is that when God is up to something big, He will stir your heart and soul. He will not let you rest, until you are convicted to listen and obey. The end result is that I followed God's lead, opened my bible, and landed on the word, 'harvest.' Instantly, I questioned, "Exactly what are you telling me, Lord?" Right then and there He placed on my heart three specific words, 'harvest of hope'. While I did not know what His intentions were, He made it clear that it was meant for something major. Eight months later, God revealed my book title, "Harvest of Hope". Due to other books having the same title, I added a sub-title to make it more unique and to sum up the main idea; through our hope in Christ, we may strive for victory, despite adversity.

3. What genre does your book fall under? Inspirational/Non-fiction/Memoir

4. What actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? Of all the questions this is the toughest one. I actually oppose most books that are turned into movies because Hollywood has a worldly way of taking a great story and distorting it. Keeping that in mind, I would never want my book to become a movie. My motto is: Never sell out your faith.

5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? Despite chronic illness, heartache, and unrelenting trials, Dana reveals the precious gems, which helped her to overcome adversity to live victoriously in Christ.

6. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? Initially, my book was accepted by an agency. At the completion of my book, I felt led by God to not sign the contract. This was not an easy decision. Prayerfully, I sought the will of God and was directed to self-publish. I trust He will lead me each step of the way.

7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? Seven months

8. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? I have been told that my faith inspired writing compares to Joyce Meyers' books. While mine is a non-fiction and inspirational, it is also a memoir. In my opinion, each memoir is unique. They share their own story and no two are alike. Last year, I had the opportunity to hear Brenda Warner's fascinating story at a Women of Faith conference. Following the event, I purchased her memoir, One Call Away. The similarity between her book and mine is that we both provide an inspirational message of hope, faith, and overcoming hardships.

9. Who or what inspired you to write this book? In January 2011, if it were not for author/mentor, Jo Ann Fore, to ask me to join her writing project, Inspired Women Succeed, I do not think I would have considered writing my current book. It was during this life-changing moment when God powerfully guided me each step of the way that I felt compelled to take my writing to a whole new level. Ultimately, God inspires and directs me to write.

10. What else about your book might pique the reader's interest? While not every reader will identify with my entire story there are parts within the pages where many individuals may relate to it, such as overcoming a troubled marriage, encountering a high risk pregnancy, raising kids with ADHD, struggling with depression, coping with chronic pain, and surviving suicide by the grace of God. Here is one excerpt from my book, "I have been through unfathomable trials, which led me to earnestly seek hope. Not hope in myself or my ability. Rather, hope in God to provide strength to overcome horrendous battles. Along my journey of faith I learned the hard way. I did not need to fight my battles alone. God does not call us to be lone rangers. He has a divine plan to equip us with powerful tools to overcome obstacles of every kind. From minor mishaps to major upheavals, nothing is too difficult for the Lord."

Next week, please take the opportunity to hop on over to the blogs listed below.

Author/Editor, Lisa Lickel


Lisa is a Wisconsin writer who lives with her husband in a hundred and sixty-year-old house built by a Great Lakes ship captain. Surrounded by books and dragons, she writes inspiring mysteries and romance. She has penned dozens of feature newspaper stories, short stories, magazine articles, and radio theater, is an avid book reviewer and reader, a writing mentor, freelance editor, editor in chief of Creative Wisconsin magazine, and a blogger. She loves to encourage new authors.

Meow Mayhem
http://www.lisalickel.com/
http://livingourfaithoutloud.blogspot.com/


Fiction Author, Karen Malena


Karen has been working in the dental field for over thirty years, which has given her much compassion for others. A devoted mother, daughter and wife, she hopes to convey the ups and downs of true to life situations through her writing. Coming from an Italian family has provided her passion for reading and the desire to begin her own journey of creativity.
Presently, she is a member of Ligonier Valley Writers and Pittsburgh East Scribes. Karen and I met at our local writing critique where I have come to love her heartwarming stories.

My Mother's Kitchen
scoutfinch15003@yahoo.com
http://karenmalena.blogspot.com/

Copyright © 2009-2013 by Dana Arcuri. All Rights Reserved. No part of this blog can be reproduced, copied or distributed without express written permission of the Author.