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Home » Archives for Tamela Hancock Murray » Page 53

Tamela Hancock Murray

Looking for a Brown Mule

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon May 2, 2013
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01 Looking For a Brown Mule 18x24

I am beyond proud of my uncle, Eldridge Bagley.

Uncle Eldridge is a professional artist. He paints in oil on canvas. Most of his scenes depict Southern rural life in the mid twentieth century. The picture above, from 2001, is entitled Looking for a Brown Mule. 

This picture speaks to me. Does it speak to you? Why? Why do you think he chose that title?

Now let’s have some fun. Use your imagination to write a sketch about this picture.

Your Turn

What kind of background do you give your characters?

Have your characters found worldly success after growing up in modest circumstances?

What is your favorite treat from your childhood that may be hard to find now?

Leave a Comment
Category: Art, Creativity, Tamela, Writing CraftTag: Characters, Creativity, Writing Craft

Fancy Schmancy!

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon April 25, 2013
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I just saw a funny short video about how to go from boring to fancy. Examples included labeling the same bread as "bread" and then "artisan bread" and the identical "cheddar" as "aged cheddar." I would have gone with "artisan" cheddar, myself. The last time our family dined in a restaurant with my in-laws in Connecticut, "Cheese made by Vermont artisans," was offered as an appetizer.

How about …

Read moreFancy Schmancy!
Category: Craft, Creativity, Tamela, Writing CraftTag: Characters, Craft, Writing Craft

I Didn’t Finish Reading Your Book, Either

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon April 18, 2013
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Followers of this blog know that on Monday, Steve Laube wrote a superb post on why he doesn't finish reading certain books.  I have stopped reading certain books for those same reasons. And for different reasons.

Beginnings

When I was in grade school, one of my mentors said always give a book at least one chapter, preferably three, before giving up. I have followed that rule on any book I …

Read moreI Didn’t Finish Reading Your Book, Either
Category: Craft, Tamela, Writing CraftTag: Books, Craft, Writing Craft

What Do You Do For a Living?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon April 11, 2013
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We have a new eye doctor and this past weekend I had my first appointment with him for my annual checkup.

He noted that I'm a literary agent. For one, I was impressed that he understood what a literary agent is. Most people have to ask. The conversation led to thoughts about professions as they are portrayed in books and on TV. Let me recap his thoughts:
"There are very few opthamologists in …

Read moreWhat Do You Do For a Living?
Category: Book Business, Career, Craft, TamelaTag: Career

Gotta Love Numbers

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon April 4, 2013
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I didn't attend kindergarten so my initial encounter with numbers happened in first grade. One day, we were working on math problems. As we finished, the teacher let each of us choose a stick of modeling clay. The colors were red, green, brown, and gray. I really, really wanted red. Green would have been OK, but definitely not brown and certainly not gray. I urgently scratched numbers on the ruled …

Read moreGotta Love Numbers
Category: Book Business, Career, TamelaTag: Book Business, Career

Miracle

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon March 28, 2013
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by Tamela Hancock Murray

This time of year, Christians contemplate the marvel that is the resurrection of Christ. Such an event seems magical, though God is never a genie, ready to grant our every wish. Even Jesus was not granted His plea in the Garden of Gethsemane as He asked the Father to take the cup of death from Him. But was there any other way? No, there was not. How else could have …

Read moreMiracle
Category: Christian, Faith, Tamela, TheologyTag: Christian, Faith

When Your Agent Makes You Speed Up

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon March 21, 2013
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by Tamela Hancock Murray

Since I wrote last week about when your agent may make you slow down, I thought this week it might be fun to write about why your agent may make you speed up. Now, speeding up is never, never to occur at the risk of writing less than your best. Story craft, along with  care and attention to detail, are always musts for fiction and nonfiction. But there are times …

Read moreWhen Your Agent Makes You Speed Up
Category: Book Business, Career, Get Published, Tamela, Writing CraftTag: Agents, Get Published

Why Your Agent May Slow You Down

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon March 14, 2013
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Your agent may slow you down.

And this is good!

And, why is that?

I've been a writer myself, so I understand the frustration you must be feeling as you read my words. Who wants to slow down? Believe me, when I was waiting for my first book to be published, I only half-joked that it would be released posthumously. So I understand that writers don't want to wait another ten minutes to see …

Read moreWhy Your Agent May Slow You Down
Category: Agents, Book Proposals, Career, Get Published, TamelaTag: Agents, Get Published, Writing Craft

Florida Christian Writers Conference Report

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon March 7, 2013
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This past week I was privileged to be on faculty at the Florida Christian Writers Conference.  This conference is now being run by the lovely Eva Marie Everson and the wonderful Mark Hancock. I like to joke with Mark that he is my long lost relative. If our hosts had not agreed to take over, last year's conference would have been the final Florida conference after 25 consecutive years. Instead, we …

Read moreFlorida Christian Writers Conference Report
Category: Conferences, Get Published, TamelaTag: Get Published, Writers Conference

A Great Hook!

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon February 28, 2013
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I'm at the Florida Christian Writers Conference today, so while I'm away, you can have fun!

When reviewing proposals, I have noticed one particular element can present a challenge. That element is the hook.

What does the hook do?

Just as its name suggests, the hook lures the editor to keep reading. Challenge is, the hook must be succinct. One sentence is ideal. For example:

Read moreA Great Hook!
Category: Book Proposals, Creativity, Get Published, Marketing, TamelaTag: book proposals, Get Published, Hooks
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