What a GREAT visit I had this morning with the 6th grade students at Eagles Nest Christian Academy. They have just finished reading and studying Gavin Goodfellow: The Lure of Burnt Swamp, and peppered me with questions, mostly about the characters. A hearty thanks to their teacher, Jessica Hague, for all she is doing with Gavin in the classroom!
The entire “Writeen Crue” assembled at Brenda’s in Gambrills, MD, for our annual mentoring retreat, and it was our BEST ever. (Of course, we always say that, but it’s always true.) This year’s theme was “Character Arc,” tracing our protagonist’s growth from where he/she begins to where we will take him/her when the story is finished. We also reflected on our own character growth as individuals and as authors, quite a thought-provoking exercise.
Left to Right (front): Dale McElhinney, Nancy Rue, Winnie Kutchukian, Tim Shoemaker (Back): Dawn Moore, Floss Craig, Rosemarie DiCristo, Brenda Ulman, Joyce Magnin, Candy Abbott, Pam Halter.
Candy Abbott with Nancy Rue, our teacher extraordinaire
Of course, our weekends are not all about serious writing.
Hey, thanks to Kelly Fennemore, my nephew’s new bride, I learned today (1/22/08) that . . . well, I’ll let you read it in her words:
“This morning, on the way into work, I was listening to 104.7. They apparently have a kids’ book club that they promote, and every now and then they pick a book and read a couple pages. This morning they were reading Gavin Goodfellow . . . I couldn’t believe it! I was so excited! You are a hit! :)”
The really neat thing about this is that I have no personal connection with anyone at the station. Not only that, but 104.7 plays really good music and we have programmed one of our car buttons to it. Imagine that, a Christian book getting unsolicited promotion on a secular station. Go, God!
I just returned from another AMAZING “Writeen Crue” weekend retreat in Gambrills, MD. The Crue was formed in January 2003 as a mentoring weekend with Nancy Rue, an award-winning author of young adult novels and Christian fiction. The group has 11 members who gather twice a year from seven states (Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee) to refine our writing and encourage and pray for one another.
January 2009 weekend retreat in Gambrills, MD
The following fan letter is awesome. Thanks so much, Bethany! I’ll answer your questions at the end of this post.
“Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons shall separate you from the loe of God.” I appreciated this passage from the book because the words conveyed the message of how God protects everyody. You showed this in your book, Gavin Goodfellowwhich opened doors to an exciting world for me. I heard about Gavin Goodfellow: The Lure of Burnt Swamp when you visited my class and discussed it. The Lure of Burnt Swamp caught my attention and kept me intrigued. While reading the book, the expression on my face showed shock and anticipation. My jaw dropped, and my eyes widened. Have you endured a spiritual experience like Gavin’s before? The vivid details allowed me to experience the same feelings the character went through. I tasted the book that Gavin’s uncle asked him to eat in his vision. When Gavin got caught in the Lodge, so did I.
I have many words to describe this book: interesting, down to earth, and suspenseful. I felt connected with both the characters and the setting. Gavin found adventures in Delaware; I live in Delaware. Why did you choose to set your book in the tiny state of Delaware? I related mostly to Molly. We both found ourselves pulled into trouble by our adventurous cousins, and we both strived to get good grades. I related well to Gavin, espcially when Molly and Eric wanted to trespass into the lodge. My cousins always wanted to do something adventurous. I knew doing it would be wrong, and I did’t want to be a part of it; I tagged along though. One time, my cousins wanted to run around the farm, climb hay bales, and wander through the woods. I knew we shouldn’t, but I went anyway. Gavin’s mom seems a lot like my dad because they both act very relaxed, but can but their foot down. Gavin’s dad reminds me of my mother because they both can be strict but for good reasons I do not always appreciate.
After reading The Lure of Burnt Swamp, I realized that we don’t always want the fate that’s forced upon us, but we must make the best of the situation. When I opened this book, the words on the pages leaped at me and I became lost in them. I appreciate spiritual fantasies because of your ability to write a touching book.
Gavin Goodfellow captivated me. The unpredictable story left me on the edge of my seat. Libraries and schools need to stock this book. I’m amazed how well written a book can be. Relating to the characters made it more enjoyable. What inspired you to write such an amazing book? I cannot wait to read the rest of the series to find out what you have in store for Gavin. If you have any tips on how to write an amazing story, I would love to hear them. Thanks for inspiring me to write.
Your devoted reader,
Bethany
Have I endured a spiritual experience like Gavin’s before? Yes, I wrote out of my own experience and have had a number of “mountain top encounters” with the Lord (the attic scene, in particular, although it was exaggerated as I didn’t see Jesus in tangible form). On the other hand, the New Age and witchcraft parts are total research.
Why did I choose to set the book in the tiny state of Delaware? Well, it goes back to writing from experience. Since this is my first attempt at fiction, I thought it best to work with familiar surroundings. Besides, the real Burnt Swamp is such an intriguing place—did you know that there really were fires that burned for long periods of time in Burnt Swamp? But, if you’ll look closely, you’ll see that, although the Eastern Shore is mentioned in the preface, I don’t really identify Delaware anywhere in the book. I wanted to leave my fictional setting vague . . . but, just as I had hoped, you recognized local landmarks. That makes it special for people who love the First State as I do.
What inspired me to write Gavin? Well, in a word, God. I was reading my grandson’s copy of the first Harry Potter book and had a fleeting thought: Somebody needs to write a Christian book that’s just this much fun to read. Immediately, three words penetrated my spirit: “You do it.” You can imagine my apprehension! I began peppering the Lord with my doubts. But Lord, I don’t know how to write fiction; I don’t know how to write for kids; I don’t know how to write fantasy . . . That’s when He reminded me that I am already doing a lot of things I didn’t know how to do because I’d been obedient in the past to the call to write and publish. When I shared the overwhelming vision with my writing friends, a number of professionals came alongside to mentor me. I studied the craft of novel writing. We brainstormed plots and subplots. They edited my many drafts over and over again. And now they’re helping me as I work through the process all over again in writing books two and three in the series.
As far as tips on how to create an amazing story, you already have a strong gift for words. I would like to invite to you participate in our writers’ group that meets once a month in Georgetown. Delmarva Christian Writers’ Fellowship is free and would be a great encouragement to you. Check out our website at www.delmarvawriters.com. We have some other young people who have been coming lately who are writing fantasy, so when you’re ready to do some creative writing, you’ll fit right in. Our group can help give you a sense of direction.
Thanks again for your amazing letter, Bethany!
I had the most wonderful visit with two sixth grade classes at Eagles Nest Christian School on Wednesday, Oct. 15. Both classes were awesome, with questions coming from all corners. And, although I gave each student a personalized “Gavin Fan Club” packet with certificate, map, membership card, and dog tag, they wanted me to sign everything from blank sheets of paper to the palms of their hands and arms to sneakers. The only request I refused was to write my name on their forehead. A warm and enthusiastic thanks to Jessica Hague for inviting me to visit with her students.
6th grade students at Eagles Nest Christian School
This year, I was only able to attend a half day at the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference instead of the full three days, but what a power-packed time it was! Nancy Rue and thehe Writeen Crue (writing mentors who have been helping with Gavin since the beginning) had a big table together for lunch, and the workshop on marketing that Diane Cook and I presented together was energized and interactive. One of the conferees, Debi Davies, is a national educational consultant for Christian schools, so that was a real God-connection for Gavin.
Mari Helms, of Tea and Traditions, Atlanta, GA, is featuring a blog interview about Gavin this week. I hope you’ll find it informative . . . if you post a comment, you may even win a free book! Visit http://teaandtraditions.blogspot.com/.
PRESS RELEASE
May 29, 2008
GOODFELLOW BOOSTS MORALE IN IRAQ
Photo Caption (left to right): Aaron Block, Heath Folmsbee, Dave Raines, and Daniel Suh show their support of Gavin Goodfellow: The Lure of Burnt Swamp while stationed in Iraq.
GEORGETOWN, Del. – Ellendale native Sgt. Heath Folmsbee and his buddies at C Company 3-116th Infantry found Gavin Goodfellow: The Lure of Burnt Swamp a good read during their tour in Iraq.
“(Gavin’s) story teaches important life lessons about common adolescent struggles of faith, trust, humility, identity, and integrity,” he says. “Its characters are vivid and lively and the setting description follows suit. This story is an excellent read and a ‘must-have’ for any children’s library.”Folmsbee, a former member of the Virginia National Guard, emailed Gavin’s author, Candy Abbott, that a number of the men in his unit read the book. “I thoroughly enjoyed your book, and so did many others,” he writes. “Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers! Abbott says the Christian fantasy’s popularity in the unit was gratifying. “When Heath’s mom told me that Gavin was being enthusiastically passed around the unit, I was elated. While the book targets young adults, we wanted its compelling story to appeal to older readers, as well. Heath and his friends’ response affirm that.”
Gavin Goodfellow: The Lure of Burnt Swamp, which was released May 1, 2007, is a spiritual fantasy centered on a 12-year-old boy who is on the edge of discovering his spirituality. The Burnt Swamp episode is the first of three books which chronicles Gavin’s adolescent journey, a time when the choices he makes will not only affect his destiny but also the future of his hometown and beyond. The book is in its second printing. Visit www.GavinGoodfellow.com for more information.
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Although we’re still filling book orders and things are hopping with Gavin, I’ll be spending the next week or more concentrating on my husband who goes into the hospital tomorrow morning for a double bypass and valve replacement. Fortunately, we caught it before there was any heart damage, so we’re very optimistic. We’d appreciate your prayers.
Since Lent is such a “special” time of year for soul-searching and because Gavin offers so many opportunities for readers to dig deeper, Fruitbearer Publishing is offering a “Lenten/Easter Special.” When you order online (click on the “Buy Stuff” tab), enter Discount Code “Lent” to receive 20% off every item you place in your cart. Put Gavin Goodfellow in somebody’s Easter basket this year! This offer is good through Sunday, March 23. Spread the word!
There was a great article by David Hochman in last month’s Reader’s Digest about Denzel Washington’s devotion to family and faith. What does this have to do with Gavin? Well, Denzel asked RD to gather ideas from the readers on what he should give his wife for their 25th anniversary. My husband Drew thought Denzel’s connection with the Boys & Girls Club would be a great springboard to introduce him to Gavin, so we brainstormed and submitted the following. Of course, it’s a long shot, but we covet your prayers just the same; we can never tell what unorthodox paths the Lord has chosen for Gavin to walk:
If you’re looking for a novel idea for your anniversary that has lasting, faith-building value, consider this: You could sponsor a “Denzel and Paula Pearson Washington Special Edition” print run of a novel for distribution to Boys and Girls Clubs with a forward that you write together. The book we have in mind is a Christian fantasy, Gavin Goodfellow: The Lure of Burnt Swamp, which was released in Oct. 2007 and is currently being used by the Merit Program as required reading at the Western Sussex Boys and Girls Club in Seaford, DE. With biblical values woven throughout the book, Christian schools are also having success with it in the classroom. The story is about 12-year-old dyslexic Gavin who encounters Christ while battling witchcraft in Burnt Swamp where the fires have been burning for ten years. Not only is the protagonist “a little guy up against the big guys” but so is the book itself which is published by a small press owned by the author and her husband. Regardless of whether or not you pursue the idea of a “Denzel and Paula Pearson Washington Special Edition” of Gavin, Fruitbearer Publishing would be pleased to send you a complimentary, numbered, first edition hardback, autographed to Pauletta dated June 25, 2008, in honor of your 25th anniversary. For more information visit www.GavinGoodfellow.com; contact Candy Abbott at fruitbearer.publishing@verizon.net.
Check out the discussion we have going on “Ask Candy . . .” and “Ask Uncle Warney . . .” Better yet, chime in and post a question or comment!
Although I still have a good supply of Gavin Goodfellow: The Lure of Burnt Swamp on hand at home, the warehouse is almost empty, so the first reprint of book one is underway! Bookstores may still have a small supply in stock, but if you know of anyone who is looking for Gavin and can’t find him, please refer them to “Fennemore’s Dollar Store” on this web site. I’ll be delighted to fill the order pronto!
On 1/3/07 Jean Pence from Mount Carmel Christian Church in Meadowview, VA, wrote: I began reading “Gavin” to my class last night at church. They love it! They are completely hooked. I asked why they thought God had Gavin eating a book. One young lady said, “I think it’s like being baptized.” I expanded on that and talked about how being baptized was getting ready to follow God, etc. I thought that was a neat insight. Another wanted to know if the donkey was Balaam’s donkey. :) We only read chapter one but had a lot of discussion, and we ate dried apricots, Granny Smith Apples and 7-up (as in Gavin’s vision). They all left class saying they had “eaten a book”. 
My mentor and dear friend Nancy Rue is co-authoring “the Sullivan Crisp Series” with Stephen Arterburn, founder of New Life Ministries, and I just finished reading book one, “Healing Stones.” Although Nancy has written tons of books for tweens (The Lily Series, The Sophie Series, The Christian Heritage Series, etc.), this is her latest adult book; set on a the campus of a Christian college, the plot is based on John 8. Nancy is a gifted novelist who senses the heartbeat of God and has a knack for holding up a mirror for readers to see things about themselves they may not have known were there. I highly recommend “Healing Stones” to anyone who believes in forgiveness, and if kids are not familiar with her tween writing, click on one of the above links and look around.
Attention home schoolers, Christian school administrators/teachers, youth pastors, Sunday school teachers, etc. If you would like a 20% discount on the paperback edition of Gavin Goodfellow, all you have to do is e-mail Candy Abbott at author@GavinGoodfellow.com and let her know the name of your school or network. She will walk you through the process and even sign the books your students receive!
Hey, guys. Dexter here. I just discovered a really cool web site. Check it out: NotReligion.com.
Inquiring minds want to know . . . when will book two be ready? My hope and prayer is that ”Gavin Goodfellow: The Gathering at Burnt Swamp” will be in reader’s hands by October 2008, but a dear writing mentor, Linda Windsor, cautioned me that “No book should be published before its time.”
This is quite an ambitious goal since it took me four years to write the first book and three years of research before that. But I have been a diligent student since my crash course on how to write fiction began. Now I know how to write dialogue, how to organize scenes, who the characters are, where they live, what they’re up to, and what they’re about to get into. So bear with me while I work through this. I’ll be sure to give you periodic updates on my progress.
