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The Steve Laube Agency

The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World Word by Word

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Home » Archives for Tamela Hancock Murray

Tamela Hancock Murray

You’re One of a Kind

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon March 15, 2023
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A ham hock doesn’t usually come up in conversation for me, but recently I had an enjoyable exchange with creative people when we mentioned ham hock.

One person suggested a character named Ham Hock would be the county champion greased pig rider.

Another said her hero named Ham Hock would be a good ol’ boy courting a big city girl who returned to the farm.

As a lover of romance novels, I said I would write about a fabulous cook presenting the one she loves with this menu:

Snaps (green beans) cooked with a ham hock

Creamed potatoes

Deluxe roast beef

Rolls with butter

Cherry cream cheese pie for dessert

Why am I sharing this frivolity? To demonstrate that creative people are just that: creative. You can offer the same word, or even plot, to three different people and they’ll create three distinct ideas and ways of expressing themselves. Of course, we could have a book written about Ham Hock, the county greased-pig riding champion, courting the city girl who serves him dinner to honor his roots by trying to make snaps seasoned with a ham hock for the first time. Each writer will present a unique story even with all those elements provided.

Want to try? Choose one or more of the names below, and write your own character sketch(es) or plot(s):

Ham Hock

Griselda

Osvaldo

Nova

Thalia

Edita

Have fun! We’d love for you to share too. Either way, I hope you enjoy the journey.

 

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Category: Creativity

Love As a Christian Author

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon March 2, 2023
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As Christian authors, we have many opportunities to put into practice the list of the attributes of love that St. Paul listed in 1 Corinthians 13: Love: Is patient: After submitting proposals, we do ourselves, our agents, and editors a favor by exercising patience. In Submissions Land, editors may feel as though a month is five minutes. Agents might say a month is a day. For an author, a month …

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Category: Encouragement, Inspiration, The Writing Life, Theology

Tips for Nonfiction

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon February 22, 2023
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In response to my post “Line Editing,” a faithful blog reader asked me if I had any tips for nonfiction writers. The suggestions here aren’t considered line editing but are more general. I hope they offer insight. Consider your brand. While you want each book to be fresh, you want to stay within your brand, or the brand you’re building, so your readership knows you wrote …

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Category: Branding, Pitch, Pitching, The Writing Life, Writing Craft

Five Reasons to Read Christian Romance Novels to Celebrate Valentine’s Day

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon February 9, 2023
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Since Valentine’s Day is near, we have plenty of time to read romance novels before the big hearts, flowers, and candy day arrives! Here are some excellent reasons to read terrific Christian romance novels before and after February 14: Christian romance novels emphasize the couple’s relationship with the Lord. Many secular stories never reveal the characters’ spiritual lives. Readers can reach the …

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Category: Genre, The Writing Life

The Cuts of Success

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon February 1, 2023
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Finally! Your dream of becoming a published author has come true! You’ve worked hard, probably years, to reach this point. You want to share your excitement with anyone who’ll listen. Most people should be happy for you, but sometimes responses can be unexpected: “Oh. I’ve never heard of that (magazine/publisher/imprint).”  “That’s nice that you write children’s books. I only buy Caldecott …

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Category: The Writing Life

Book Proposals I’d Love to See (What Tamela Hancock Murray Is Looking For)

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon January 19, 2023
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(Updated 1/19/2023) I’m thankful to the Lord that I’m a literary agent working for Him in Christian publishing. I’m grateful to the readers of this blog for being part of our writing community. As for approaching me with your work, let’s see if our passions match: Christian Romantic Suspense and Suspense Readers of Christian romantic suspense and suspense are a large and devoted …

Read moreBook Proposals I’d Love to See (What Tamela Hancock Murray Is Looking For)
Category: Agency, Book Business, Book Proposals, Career, Craft, Creativity, Romance, Trends, Writing CraftTag: Agency, book proposals

I Am a Writer

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon January 11, 2023
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My father always resolved never to make New Year’s resolutions. Admirable indeed, although few possess his fortitude! What are your goals for 2023? I remember when I first started writing articles and books for publication. Rejections abounded, and this was at a time of plentiful magazines and regional newspapers publishing unknown authors. Winning a contract from a traditional book publisher has …

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Category: The Writing Life

​My Christmas Prayer for You

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon December 15, 2022
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This will be my last blog before Christmas Day. The Christmas season is a lovely time to bless and remember our blog community and to let you know how much your thoughtful comments have brought insight and pleasure over the years. Thank you for being part of our community. I pray that as we move through Advent that you and your loved ones are blessed as we all await in glorious anticipation to …

Read more​My Christmas Prayer for You
Category: Personal

Three Fun Links

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon December 7, 2022
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Since we’re all busy preparing for Christmas, I thought you might enjoy a brief respite. Here is a fun link that is also useful to writers. What year was the word you want to use officially born, as in, first used in print? What words were born during your birth year? Have fun exploring! Time Traveler by Merriam-Webster: Words from 2021 I love Christmas hymns. My favorites are too numerous to list …

Read moreThree Fun Links
Category: Personal

Thankful to the Lord, Today and Every Day

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon November 23, 2022
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From the Book of Common Prayer 1979 of the Episcopal Church, USA   A Litany of Thanksgiving Let us give thanks to God our Father for all his gifts so freely bestowed upon us. For the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and sky and sea, We thank you, Lord. For all that is gracious in the lives of men and women, revealing the image of Christ, We thank you, Lord. For our daily food and …

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Category: Personal
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