Lakeside Reunion Blog Hop Guest Post: Creating White Space
Today I’m thrilled and blessed to introduce to you my friend, Lisa Jordan, and her new book, Lakeside Reunion. She’s here today to share some great writing tips with you. Also, at the end of her post is an essential token from her scavenger hunt promoting her new book. Join in on the hunt for your chance to win a $25 Amazon or Barnes & Noble e-gift card!
Great to have you, Lisa!
One of the writing rules I’ve heard often is to be sure there is plenty of white space on the page. When I was a new writer, I had no idea what that meant. Then I learned it referred to having a good balance of dialogue and narration so the reader wasn’t overwhelmed by all the words on the page. Dialogue on a page creates white space. It breaks up line after line of complete sentences, and it allows the reader to take a breath.
Another rule in writing is proper manuscript formatting. Writers are advised to create 1-inch margins on all sides of their manuscripts. Manuscripts with 1-inch margins appear clean and uniform. The margins allow editors, agents and contest judges to write comments in the margins.
Creating white space and margins isn’t limited to writing. Creating those in our lives allows us to clean out the clutter and extra busyness that bogs us down. Filling every moment of our lives causes extra stress as we juggle more activities and events in our lives.
Lately I’ve been mindful of creating margins in my life. When I returned to college as a non-traditional student, I had to develop better time management skills as I continued to work full-time in my home as a childcare provider, care for my family, prod my boys into getting their homework finished, teach Sunday school, finish my novel and do my own homework.
I believe God was preparing me for what was to come. In January, I was convicted to clear my plate. God whispered He had something in store, but He needed some white space. So I prayed over my responsibilities and let go of quite a few.
Three days later, my fabulous agent, Rachelle Gardner, called with news that changed my life—Melissa Endlich of Love Inspired wanted to buy my novel.
Amazing. And only God.
He knew what was needed in my life. He knew I would have revisions, art fact sheets, copy edits to do in the months ahead. He knew I couldn’t crowd my margins if I were to make a success of my writing career. Creating white space hasn’t been easy as I’ve had to make some difficult decisions, but my life feels calmer and less stressed. Being obedient to God comes with a greater reward.
About Lisa
Heart, home and faith have always been important to Lisa Jordan, so writing stories that feature both comes naturally to her. She has been writing contemporary Christian romance for more than a decade. Her debut novel, Lakeside Reunion, will be released in November by Love Inspired.
Happily married for over twenty years, Lisa and her husband raised two sons who are now young adults. In addition to caring for her own family, she opens her arms—and her heart—to others’ children on a daily basis through her in-home childcare business. When she isn’t writing or caring for children, Lisa enjoys family time, romantic comedies, good books and crafting with friends.
Will she risk her heart for a second chance at love?
Bed-and-breakfast owner Lindsey Porter prays she won’t run into Stephen Chase when she returns to Shelby Lake. Five years ago, the cop jilted her to marry another woman, and Lindsey fled town. But no sooner does she hit city limits than Stephen pulls her over for a broken taillight. Despite the past, he’s still able to stir up Lindsey’s old feelings for him. Now a widower and single dad, Stephen recognizes a second chance when he sees one. And he’ll do anything to make Lindsey trust in God and take a risk for love—again.
Contest Information
The token for Amy’s blog is a wedding ring quilt.
Lakeside Reunion Scavenger Hunt
- Download the Lakeside Reunion Blog Hop Scavenger Hunt Form.
- Visit the blogs listed in the table during their corresponding dates.
- Read through the blog post and find the token mentioned within the text of the post.
- Fill out the form.
- Email the completed form to lisa@lisajordanbooks.com by 11:59 p.m. EST November 30, 2011.
- Entries with the most correct tokens will submitted into a random drawing, using www.randomizer.org. One winner will receive a $25 Amazon or Barnes & Noble e-gift card.
- Odds of winning depend on the number of participants.
Share your favorite lakeside photo
- Submit your favorite lake photo by 11:59 p.m. EST on Monday, October 31, 2011.
- All submitted photos will run on a slideshow on my site and be posted on my Facebook author page.
- Readers may vote for their favorite photo.
- The winner will receive a $25 Amazon or Barnes & Noble e- gift card.
- Photos must be original, taken by the person who submits it.
- No private information about entrant’s identity will be shared.
Posted on October 18, 2011, in books, writing and tagged Lisa Jordan, Love Inspired, novels, writing. Bookmark the permalink. 11 Comments.
I’ve been following Lisa’s journey as a writer for several years now. I’m delighted that her book is available today!! Lakeside Reunion is a wonderful, heartwarming read–and I’ve told Lisa I intend to buy up all the copies I can find and hand them out to my friends!
I appreciate how Lisa applied the idea of white space and margin made it applicable not only to our writing lives but to our real lives too.
Amy, thanks for having me!
Beth, you are so sweet!! I’m so thankful for your generous heart, not just in wanting to buy up my books, but in the way you give freely to those around you!
Lisa, it’s a true privilege!
Lisa, what a TREAT to finally be able to download this to my Kindle! I headed to Amazon just now, clicked and it will be waiting on me for after-dinner reading delight this evening. I love your interview line above, “Amazing. And only God.” Isn’t that the whole truth? Blessings on this great debut adventure! Thanks, Amy, for hosting Lisa. Well done!
Donna, I learned this morning that the Kindle download won’t be available until November 1. So sorry about that. Thank you for your sweet words of encouragement!
So happy you’re reached your Debut Day, Lisa! I ran down to Walmart to see if your book is on the shelf yet, but I’ll have to be patient a little longer. Luckily, I pop in there about 3 times per week, haha. Love you, little sister! Enjoy this time….
And thank you, Amy, for hosting Lisa.
If you ran, Katy, at least you’re getting your exercise!! Try searching sometime after next Wednesday. Or you may have to wait until the beginning of November. Love you too, big sister!
Lisa I’m so happy for you. I will have to get a paperback (for signature) and kindle download to read. I also stopped at walmart today to find it not there. I know you have worked for many years to get to this point. Since you watched my little guy who is now 13! Congrats and i can’t wait to read your books!
Jeannie, my book won’t be in Walmart until after next Tuesday, I believe, but I don’t even expect them to be in stores until at least November 1 at the earliest. For some reason, the books release earlier on Amazon and Barnes and Noble online stores. The Kindle download will be available November 1.
I simply can’t believe your kiddos are getting so big. They’ll always be Little Darlings in my head. So glad you stopped by!
Lisa, I love the thoughts about white space in our lives. It’s so hard to put it there, but I’ve always seen God’s hand work when I do.
Thanks for sharing a bit of your story. 
I like the white spaces and margins. I feel as though God is telling me to make more room in my life to write and I’ve been doing that. It feels awesome.