Nature versus Nurture (plus book giveaway)

by Laura O'Connell

Thank you, Narelle, for having me here today.

Christmas, and the end of the year are fast approaching. It’s a time for me to look back to where I’ve been and what I’ve achieved. It is at this point I ponder what might have happened had I done things differently and whether I made the best use of my strengths and abilities.

It’s been a challenging year for me, but a year I am thankful I have lived because I have had to make some difficult decisions and take a long hard look at the truth behind those decisions. Everyone has to make choices every day of their lives. Those choices can be life changing and can have repercussions years later.

In my latest novel, Web of Lies, Lachlan and Stephanie had life changing experiences at seventeen and sixteen when Stephanie learned she was pregnant. She was caring for her sick aunt and Lachlan had a climbing accident that put him in a coma for eleven months. Aunt Sonia and Lachlan’s parents wanted what was best for the young people. They pressured Stephanie into giving Ryan up for adoption. Eight years later, when Lachlan and Stephanie reconnect, they find out about all the lies that were told to protect their child. They are forced into making a decision they don’t want to make.

Web of Lies is a story about love and forgiveness. Parents want the best for their children, so much so they sometimes step in and try to influence their young one’s decisions. No matter how well-intentioned the parents are, their decisions may not be in the best interests of their children, often robbing them of the opportunity for personal growth through hardship.

Web of Lies was inspired by my experiences as a teenager when I was becoming more aware of the world around me. I noticed some of my classmates disappeared from school for a few months of the year and returned with no explanation of where they had been. They were sad and withdrawn and my heart ached for them. When I found out they had given birth and had to give their baby up for adoption I was shocked, and wished I could do something for them. There was no welfare to support the young mothers back then, so they had no choice but to give their child up for adoption.

I wondered what would happen if the baby was given to a relative to rear unbeknown to the mother. Web of Lies is the result of that wondering. To this day, some of these adoptive mothers have never been re-united with their baby. They have had to live with wondering about where their child might be and what they might be doing now. Their hearts must be in a perpetual state of pain as in the dark of night their thoughts turn to the beautiful child they gave up for adoption and wished they hadn’t.

What are your thoughts on nature versus nurture? Leave a comment so that you can go into the draw to win a copy of Web of Lies.

LAURA O'CONNELL enjoys writing stories about second chances in love and life. She calls the Gold Coast home, however, her curious nature leads her on adventures to locations that surprise and inspire her. Laura has a passion for telling a good story set in places where she has lived and travelled.

Back cover blurb:

High school sweethearts, Stephanie and Lachlan are torn apart by circumstance, bad decisions and a web of lies, leaving an unknown future for their son, Ryan.

Eight years later they reconnect, but the time apart has changed them. The family had made decisions based on lies and deceit and now must find a way to either reveal the truth or find another option. On the surface, their arrangements seemed flawless, but dig deeper, and the people they thought they knew aren’t as they appear.

Lachlan and Stephanie are forced to confront the consequences of their actions and the entire family is compelled to reveal the truth, find forgiveness, and renew loving one another. But the hardest decision is still to come … where does Ryan live?

Narelle: By commenting on today’s post and answering Laura's question (What are your thoughts on nature versus nurture?) you can enter the drawing to win a copy of Web Of Lies. The drawing will take place on Friday, December 21 and the winner announced on Sunday, December 23. Please leave an email address [ ] at [ ] dot [ ] where you can be reached. Print copy available for Australian mailing addresses and electronic copy for international.

"Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws."

Testing Faith

by Laura O'Connell

Have you ever had a book that you started a long time ago that you’re wondering if it will ever be finished? You’ve revised it countless times, some parts of it more than others, and still you’re not happy with it?

I have one such work in progress that has had its fair share of revisions with three different plots, all with countless re-writes. I just can’t seem to get my head around where I’m supposed to be going with it. I started this work when I was working full-time, in my other life fifteen years ago. I’ve been fortunate to have critique partners who have looked at the work and given wonderful constructive criticism. However in each of those critiques, I found different ways of telling the story and how it might be told. All wonderful and inspiring ideas: thank you critique partners!

The writing of this manuscript is tough. At the moment I’m wondering if I should delete the work from my hard drive and forget I ever thought about writing it. What will this achieve? No more manuscript, great, but the memory will still be there lurking in the shadows peering into the light every now and then to remind me it’s still there. I have to deal with this manuscript in a positive way. I’m not one to run and hide when challenges arise. I looked at this one and asked what my motivation for writing this story is?

What a surprise and the Lord has definitely been doing some work in me! I wrote it thinking it was going to be a bestseller. That no one had ever thought of this plot and I was the chosen one to tell this story. I was in my infancy in my walk with Jesus and believed this book would change the world. Certainly, I needed a reality check and a good lesson in how to be humble. This is at the basis of why it has taken me so long to get this work finished.

Back at the drawing board, I sent my ego packing and asked the Lord to check my heart and erase this false motivation and find the real answer to why it should be written. Not only has the writing of this book tested my faith, but my patience, and the acceptance of where I’ve come from. What a journey! So another draft to write and then maybe another and another. However long it takes, I’m here for the long haul and may the story be better than I could have imagined and more importantly, I will become a better person through the experience.

I want to encourage you today: if you’re finding the writing task difficult, take the time to examine why you’re writing that project. You might be surprised at the journey you’ve been on to get this far and that elusive worm that’s holding you back may work its way through your work to surprise you.

Laura O’Connell lives with her husband, Frank, in tropical Queensland, Australia. She writes women’s fiction that inspires and challenges. You can connect with her at her website at http://laura-oconnell.com. Her next work, Web of Lies is currently being edited and a release date will be advised on her website and Facebook page as soon as the editing is finalised.

Interview with Aussie author Laura O'Connell and book giveaway

Narelle here. I'm delighted to welcome Laura O'Connell back to our blog today. Laura's debut novel African Hearts is an April 2011 release from Even Before Publishers. And Laura has very kindly offered to give away a copy of African Hearts to one of our Australian or New Zealand readers who comment on this post.

Narelle: What was your inspiration for African Hearts, your debut novel set in Africa and Australia?

Laura: When I was in year three at school I saw a picture of an African boy standing next to a thatched roof hut. It piqued my interest and this image has stayed with me all my life. Three years ago God put on my heart to write a story about Africa. A couple of months after this the Watoto Choir performed at our church. We billeted two of the choir members, and their guardian with whom I had a long and honest conversation. When I asked him what the biggest challenge for the orphans were when they grew up, he said it was their sense of belonging. I lost my father when I was three and my mother when I was eight so I understood the challenges these young people have. The sense of belonging is a major issue for orphans.

In my novel, African Hearts, Kam lost his parents at three years of age and grew up in an orphanage, and Gina lost both her parents by the age of twenty-seven. Belonging is a major issue in their story as well. It’s difficult for some people to understand why people who lose their parents at a young age are so independent and driven and others lose hope. This is one of the themes I hope I’ve addressed in African Hearts.

Narelle: Please share with us a few of your research tips. Do you have plans to set future books in Africa?

Laura: Apart from talking with the Watoto boys’ guardian, I interviewed a missionary who had worked in Africa for much of her young life; I watched U-tube videos and read the Ugandan newspaper on the internet and also did other research on the internet. At this stage I have no plans to set future books in Africa, however, I’m considering a sequel to African Hearts telling Justin and Kizza’s story which will be a young adult novel set mainly in Australia.

Narelle: At present, you’re travelling around Australia in a caravan with your husband. Where have you visited and where are you heading next? Has travelling changed your daily writing routine?

Laura: I’m enjoying travelling around our great and diverse country. We had to come to Melbourne the week before Christmas because of a niece’s wedding and Christmas with family. We then headed to the Mornington Peninsula and have been here ever since because we had a small accident in the caravan and it can’t be fixed until mid-April. We’ve been to Melbourne often in these months to visit family and friends.

Toward the end of April we head north for the winter along the east coast. We have to be in Mackay in North Queensland in July for another niece’s wedding then we’ll go further north to Townsville, Cairns, Port Douglas, and Cooktown if the roads are open after the torrential rains this summer, then we’ll head west to Mount Isa and return to Brisbane through the centre of Queensland then down to Tasmania for next summer. After that it’ll be back north for winter 2012, but we are open to change as God leads us, and that’s the exciting thing about this travelling all over Australia.

I’m trying to keep to the same writing routine I had at home, but God has different ideas. I’m working off a laptop and I’m learning to be flexible in my writing routine. I find I’m writing whenever I get a few minutes in between site seeing and travelling and even when we’re on the road in the car. It’s been great to be camped in one spot for a while so that I can catch up.

Narelle: How has your faith influenced your writing, and the type of stories you write?

Laura: My faith has a strong influence on my writing. I write about faith, hope, love and forgiveness and I like to challenge my readers to think about whether they’re fulfilling God’s purpose for their lives. Also, I hope my readers will be able to relate to my characters challenges which will trigger any healing they may need.

Narelle: What do you hope your readers will take away after reading African Hearts?

Laura: After reading African Hearts, I’m hoping my readers will think about events that happen in their lives may be beyond their understanding, but it’s important not to be afraid of change that might be happening. Grab hold of that change because God has the big picture and with time they will find where they belong in the world and the purpose for their lives. I want my readers also not to fear when they have God in their hearts because he is in control and only wants the best for them.

Narelle: African Hearts is published by Even Before Publishing. Please share with us what it’s like working with a small Australian press. How can we purchase a copy of African Hearts?

Laura: Working with Even Before Publishing has been a positive and encouraging experience. When Rochelle said she liked my manuscript she suggested I go on a week-long mentorship to learn about editing and marketing. It was the most encouraging week I’ve ever spent. It was intensive and I learnt how to look at my work in a different way. I’ve also learned about how the publishing industry works. I’ve also gotten to know her personally which I’m not sure I would get so quickly if I was with a bigger publisher. Rochelle has a God-given dream for Christian publishing in this country and I’m sure she will be successful. I’m glad I’m part of that journey.

African Hearts is available from Koorong and Word bookstores, Angus & Robertson as well as your independent book stores. It can also be purchased from my website.

Narelle: Please tell us about the projects you are currently working on?

Laura: My next work is set in Sydney and Mount Tamborine in Queensland and is an adoption story. The main characters have been manipulated by lies by people whose intentions are well-meaning but ends up hurting a whole family. Working title is Behind The Mask. This work is nearly complete and my next project which is half written is an Australian military story set in Townsville and Afghanistan.

Laura, thanks for joining us today. It's been a pleasure to interview you and I enjoyed reading African Hearts. By commenting on today’s post, Australian and New Zealand residents can enter the drawing to win a copy of African Hearts. The drawing will take place on Friday, April 22 and the winner announced on Sunday, April 24. Please leave an email address [ ] at [ ] dot [ ] where you can be reached.

"Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws."

Laura O’Connell has a passion for a good story that will inspire and challenge. She travels with her husband around Australia writing and speaking.

To learn more about Laura O'Connell, please visit her website http://laura-oconnell.com

Narelle Atkins writes contemporary inspirational romance. She resides in Canberra, Australia with her husband and children. To learn more about Narelle, please visit her website.

Debut Novel - AFRICAN HEARTS

by Laura O'Connell

I'm delighted to be guest blogger today because my debut novel will be released in April 2011. Even Before Publishing is an Australian Christian publisher headed up by Rochelle Manners, a dynamic woman with a passion for Australian Christian fiction. This is an opportunity for Australian authors who sometimes feel they are isolated from the overseas publishing world.

African Hearts has been a work inspired by God and written with His grace. I struggled with God when He presented me with the idea. It’s too controversial, and it’s set in Africa where I’ve never lived, but God persisted and I felt compelled to write the story. The last couple of years have been a journey of understanding about who I am as a writer, where I fit in the market, and what God has in store for my future as an author.

My journey started twenty years ago when I felt God calling me to write, so I plodded along in the writing process for honing the craft, until He felt I was ready to tackle the idea for African Hearts.

Research, if I was going to write about Africa, I had to do research. To my astonishment I found the research a bit of fun. I watched You Tube videos, viewed Ugandan sites on the internet, and I read the Ugandan newspaper, and books from the library. My best piece of research though was interviewing a local African missionary. She shared much about her time in Africa, so much so I was transported into a world that intrigued, saddened, excited, and educated me about a life that was very different to my own.

During the writing process, I drew close to God in a way I’d never thought possible. His spirit was deep within me giving me the words and nudging me back to the story when I was straying off target. I was grateful for His presence throughout the writing process because I learned what it means to lean on God, and also that He is faithful and never leaves us. It is I who leaves him trying to write and do life in my own strength.

African Hearts is a novel that will challenge you about your current position in life and whether you’re living it the way God wants you to be living right now. African Hearts is about Australian, Gina Messina, who goes to Africa to find her dying brother, but her brother’s doctor has some unexpected news that challenges her to make change in her life.

A few days ago, my husband and I made change in our lives, and started our new adventure travelling around Australia in a caravan to write and encourage others to be the people God created them to be. You can follow us and be part of our journey at my website www.laura-oconnell.com

I wish all readers a joyful festive season.

Laura usually lives with her husband, Frank on the Gold Coast. She has one son, Dan who started his own life’s adventure a few days ago, too. Laura is passionate about encouraging people in their life’s journey.

To learn more about Laura and her debut novel, African Hearts, please visit her website.

Writing From The Heart

by Laura O'Connell

Thank you, Narelle, for inviting me to be a part of International Christian Fiction Writers Blog.

I'm Laura O’Connell. I live on the sunny Gold Coast situated on the eastern seaboard of Australia. The photo below is from Twin Falls, Springbrook in the Gold Coast Hinterland. Before I started writing I worked in management Accounting throughout Australia. One year, my husband and I holidayed at Tryon Island on the Great Barrier Reef. This holiday changed my life. I came home from the holiday enthusiastic and ready to write my first non-fiction book. I jumped in with only a how-to book to show me the way. Surprisingly, it got published and so did many of my non-fiction articles.

After I’d been writing for about ten years, Jesus Christ became my Lord and saviour. I felt he was calling me to write fiction. I wrote a sci-fi, young adult and a romance novel. None of these were sent to a publisher because they were my learning the craft novels, and I didn’t feel they were up to publication standard.

I became insecure in my writing and turned to Jesus for help. He took me on a healing journey that wasn’t all that pleasant. I prayed for several months and meditated on his word looking for direction and asking if this is really where he wanted me to be. He told me, “I want you to write from your heart, Laura.”

I realised he wanted me to use my life’s experiences to inspire and encourage others in their life’s journey, that relationships can be difficult, but through Him all things are possible. God wanted me to write Women’s Fiction.

When I understood his purpose for my writing, He released me to reveal the stories deep within my heart. Making contact with God in a deep and powerful way has become a regular part of my life. The daily connection with Him leads me into my writing day. Because I’m fresh in the morning, I work on my current project trying to achieve at least 3,000 words per day. Once the words are done, I work on the administrivia of being a writer—learning more about the writing craft, blogging, editing, and writing more non-fiction works, or finding ways of deepening my characters in my current work.

To date, I have two completed novels awaiting publication. I continue to trust God has his hand on every aspect of my life including my writing. He has the time frame for publication of my work at hand. I trust Him because he knows the right path for my life.

I've been led to write stories that encourage and inspire through the themes of love, forgiveness, hope, grace, faith and belonging. Not all of my stories end in a happy ever after romance. However, by the end of my stories, I hope my readers are inspired to make changes in their lives by receiving the saving grace of Jesus, and become the people God created them to be.

My first book, Sarah’s Child, is set in Sydney and Gold Coast, Australia (see photo). It is currently under consideration by a publisher in London.

I also enjoy writing about other exciting parts of the world that have caught my imagination. My second book, A Noble Woman, is set in scenic Uganda, a country that has experienced its fair share of tragedy throughout history, but is striving to overcome its challenges in rebuilding to a country of hope with an exciting future.

My current work in progress is a military story. My husband served twenty-five years in the Australian Army. I bring many of my experiences to this work which is powering along much quicker than I could have anticipated.

Through my writing, I want to glorify God, give hope to my readers, and walk with Jesus every day.

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Laura O’Connell lives in Gold Coast, Australia. She is married to her own hero, Frank, and they have one adult son. Laura loves writing in all its forms; reading fiction and non-fiction books from all genres; body surfing; bushwalking; and learning about technological gadgetry. Laura can be contacted at her website at http://laura-oconnell.com