Weighing the college pros and cons

How do you decide which college to attend? SeniorYear101blog.wordpress.com

How to compare financial aid: Part 2

How to compare financial aid: Part 2.

Compare financial aid offers: Part 1

As you are weighing which college to attend, a big consideration can be the various colleges’ financial aid offer. Today we’ll look at Cost of Attendance (COA).

Carefully examine each college’s cost of attendance, which is the list of various fixed and other expenses. Obviously, the tuition is not flexible, but often you can whittle down some of the following expenses:

- Fees (some of those fees are optional such as parking, health services (if you provide proof of health insurance), and some student body fees.

- Books and supplies: Textbooks can now be borrowed from the library, as well as purchased used online (make sure the ISBN is the same).

- Rent/housing: Perhaps you can figure out another option than the dorm, although it’s usually recommended to stay in the dorm the first year so as to make connections and feel a part of the campus life.

- Utilities and cell phone: Be realistic about what these will cost, especially if you will be in an apartment.

- Transportation: I do NOT recommend that a freshman student have a car the first year. Every other person who does not have a car will want to borrow it (a mistake) or ask you for rides. Gas is expensive, as are parking tickets and accidents. Also, a college freshman with a load of kids is a recipe for weekend disaster.

- Clothing and laundry: Could graduation gifts cover these expenses? Find out how much the machines are in the dorm and estimate how much you really will need to do laundry.

- Miscellaneous: The temptation to eat out all the time is great — create a budget item and stick to it.

It may be possible to take a chunk off the college’s estimated Cost of Attendance (COA). Doing that may even eliminate having to take out a student loan or parent loan. Take time to sit down together and make a realistic monthly budget, so that you’re prepared for the coming year.

Coming: Evaluating financial aid offers — including hidden info financial aid offices usually won’t tell you!

New Blog: Senior Year 101

Exciting news for my Senior Year 101 readers: I created a separate blog with all the articles together — http://SeniorYear101blog.wordpress.com. You won’t have to scan through the other blogs to find these now, and I will be posting more often on this new blog with helpful tips to get you through this challenging year! Soon, I’ll be pulling the old ones off this blog, as they’ve already been transferred to the new one . . . so go there and subscribe, so you’re still in the know! And pass the word around, if you would, please!

Blessings!

Janet

Author Talk: Michelle Lim – Idea Sparking

Need help building conflict in your novel?

Have you ever wanted to write a novel but couldn’t figure out to write a page-turner? I have a wonderful book for you! Michelle Lim is the author of Idea Sparking: How to Brainstorm Conflict in Your Novel. If you’d love to write but aren’t sure how to come up with conflict that hooks a reader’s interest, you’ll want to find out more about Michelle’s book.

Q: What inspired you to write your new book Idea Sparking: How to Brainstorm Conflict in Your Novel?

Michelle: The idea for this book began to form a few years ago when I saw so many writers struggling to come up with unpredictable story ideas. They lamented over the blank page and were plagued with writer’s block. At first this surprised me, because brainstorming comes naturally to me. Editing on the other hand makes me want to shred my manuscript. My own struggle with editing helped me empathize with the blank-page challenged. Soon the idea to teach others how to brainstorm began to form.

Q: How can you teach someone to brainstorm who is not a natural brainstormer?

Michelle: Anyone can learn to improve their brainstorming skills by learning some basic principles of brainstorming. Often it is as simple as learning to brainstorm without censoring your ideas. Anytime you stop the process to analyze the credibility of your ideas, you interrupt your mind’s ability to be creative.

Idea Sparking focuses on teaching the basic principles for brainstorming conflict, the key elements to building conflict and tension, and diagnostic strategies to help writers fix a predictable plot, sagging middle, and a variety of other problems.

Q: It’s easy to see how this book can benefit those who struggle with brainstorming, but what about those who love the blank page?

Michelle: There are always ways to strengthen our stories. If you are looking for twists and unpredictable plot, there is a variety of strategies to apply to your own novel. Additional methods are included to help you increase conflict that already exists in your novel. One of my favorite strategies is a formula for creating cliffhangers.

Q: Could you share that formula?

Michelle: You can create a cliffhanger in three easy steps:

1. Identify the problem the point-of-view character has going forward in the scene.
2. Stop before the problem is resolved.
3. Add a line to give it punch that shows why it matters.

Idea Sparking takes you through each of these steps and shows how they work. Then you get to apply the process to your own manuscript.

Q: How did you first learn to brainstorm?

Michelle: As a young girl my sister and I used to have reading contests that filled my mind with stories. We also spent hours watching old movies and dreaming up our own stories. My mom and I also brainstormed endings that would surprise readers and talked about books in an analytical way. Then we brainstormed our own books together.

Q: What contributed to your brainstorming strengths that might surprise others?

Michelle: A few years ago my husband and I began watching whole series of TV shows on Netflix. We would watch an episode together each night before bed. What surprised me most was the character arc that is visible if you watch a whole series in a shorter period of time. Look specifically at series that ran for a long time, because the show’s longevity probably means the writers had the ability to keep people’s attention with their plot. It is a great way to see how some plot strategies work.

Michelle Lim is a romantic suspense writer with three manuscripts that have earned recognition: The Rattler Contest in 2012, the Genesis Contest in 2011, and the Frasier Contest in 2010. Michelle is the Brainstorm/Huddle Coach at My Book Therapy; serves as vice president of  a local chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers; and writes devotionals for the Christian Pulse. You can find Michelle at http://thoughtsonplot.wordpress.com/.

 

Author Talk: Dianne Neal Matthews – Designed for Devotion

A beautiful devotional book that walks you through the Bible in a year!

I’m delighted to introduce Dianne Neal Matthews to you. I got a copy of her new book Designed for Devotion this week, and my daughter Rebekah latched onto it immediately. It’s a wonderful book that walks you through the Bible devotionally in a year. So, let’s hear more about Diane and what led her to write this wonderful book.

SPECIAL! If you comment below, your name could be chosen to receive this book signed by the author! And you will LOVE this book!

Q: When did you decide to be a writer?

Dianne: As a little girl, I loved to make up stories and share them. Writing assignments were always my favorite part of school. But as an adult, I didn’t have the confidence or courage to pursue creative writing. It was just something I fantasized about until my mid-forties when I began writing occasional articles for my church’s newsletter. Urged by a friend, I attended a writers’ conference (Write-to-Publish, Chicago area) in 1999, asking God to show me if writing was His will for me or my own self-centered dream. He answered clearly that week and I’ve never doubted my calling since then.

Q: Since then, you’ve published four daily devotional books. What do you find most rewarding about writing devotions?

Dianne: I absolutely love finding creative ways to illustrate a Bible verse or spiritual principle, whether using elements of nature, historical events, pop culture trivia, news events, my own personal experiences, or any other source. I love drawing out practical application that demonstrates how relevant the Bible is to our lives today. I also enjoy trying to find a way to end with a statement that helps the content stick in the reader’s mind (especially when I come up with a pun). And feedback from readers motivates me to keep writing devotionals. It’s such a blessing when people tell me that a devotional has spoken to their specific situation or say that one of my books is a part of their regular quiet time.

Q: Tell us a little about your newest devotional book.

Dianne: Designed for Devotion: A 365-Day Journey from Genesis to Revelation provides an overview of the entire Bible. It explains the background and factual information for each book, including the author, theme, purpose for writing, and historical setting. The book highlights the key stories and characters in the Old Testament and gospels and explores the basic teachings of the NT writers. In the part of the book that covers the Old Testament, I sprinkled occasional “Jesus Sightings” (in keeping with the theme of a trip or journey). These devotions focus on how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecy. I also included devotions about the 400-year period between the Testaments, the concept of “theophany,” the distinction between the major and minor rophets, and other topics. Throughout the book each day’s devotion ends with a practical application that encourages readers to apply that day’s spiritual lesson to their own journey with God.

Q: What can readers hope to gain from reading Designed for Devotion?

Dianne: This book presented my biggest challenge ever! I don’t make any pretense of being a Bible scholar; I often felt burdened by the weight of such a serious responsibility. But I think that will be a plus for most readers since the book is not “academic.” Readers will gain the factual and historical information needed to understand the context of each book and how it fits in with the rest of the Bible. At the same time, they will be able to see how each story and teaching relates to their everyday lives. Designed for Devotion will help those new to Bible study grow in their understanding of God and His Word; long-time Bible students will enjoy the review. Hopefully, anyone who reads the book will go more deeply in their relationship with God and in their devotion to Him. A trip through the Bible can be a life-changing journey!

Q: What life experience, education, or training helped you become an author?

Dianne: I have a liberal arts degree in psychology and English and a master’s in guidance and counseling. But I consider my greatest training to be growing up out in the country with three brothers and no neighbor kids close by. In the summers I learned to use my imagination to entertain myself while working in the cotton fields or while playing in the woods at the edge of our little family farm.

Q: What kind of activities do you like to do that help you relax and step away from your deadlines for a bit?

Dianne: Listening to music, seeing a movie, getting outside to enjoy the beauty of nature, and of course, reading for pleasure, not research.

Q: Who are your favorite authors?

Dianne: I love classic literature so I’d have to include Charles Dickens, Thomas Hardy, Jane Austen, George Eliot. I also adore Tolkien’s work—his creativity amazes me! As for contemporary authors, two of my favorites are Frank Delaney and Stephen Lawhead.

Q: What is your favorite book and what makes it special?

Dianne: There’s no way I could ever pick out one novel as my favorite, but as a lover of classic literature I’ve always felt that Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities is one of the best books I ever read. It gives the reader a dose of history, philosophy, sociology, economics, and more. The story also gives us a picture of selfless, unconditional love, unlike many other stories.

Q: How do you think reading the work of others helps you as a writer?

Dianne: In lots of ways! Reading exercises my brain and helps me develop my imagination, increase my vocabulary, and absorb new writing techniques. The creativity of others inspires me to use my own. And of course, it’s a great way to relax and wind down from the pressure of always carrying my work around in my head.

Q: Tell us about your previous books.

Dianne: My first two books were both published by Tyndale House. The One Year On This Day (now available only in eBook format) uses holiday origins, historical events and anniversaries, and pop culture trivia to illustrate spiritual truths. The One Year Women of the Bible blends the accounts of biblical women with stories of contemporary women, gleaning spiritual lessons that we can apply to our lives today. In 2010 Baker published Drawing Closer to God: 365 Daily Meditations of Questions from Scripture. Each devotional is based on a question asked by someone in the Bible—God, Jesus, Satan, an Old Testament character, or a New Testament writer. The meditation explores the setting, ties it into a spiritual principle or practical application, and closes with either a question for readers to ask God (prayer focus) or a question to ask themselves (reflection). This one is currently sold only as an eBook, but readers can order print copies directly from me.

Q: What projects are you working on now?

Dianne: Although I’ve focused on nonfiction so far, I’m looking into trying my hand at fiction. I would love to research and write a historical novel. In the meantime I write devotionals and articles for periodicals and websites and sometimes contribute to compilation books. For example, this year I was honored to be one of ten writers who contributed to Mornings with Jesus 2013: Daily Encouragement for Your Soul published by Guideposts.

Q: How can readers connect with you online?

Dianne: They can find me on Facebook, on Twitter, at LinkedIn, or they can contact me through my website. I love it when people stop by to offer feedback or to just chat.

Dianne Neal Matthews is a freelance writer and the author of four daily devotional books. She also writes regularly for websites and blogs (such as CBN.com and FindingGodDaily.com), contributes to compilations (including Guideposts’ 2013 Mornings with Jesus), and enjoys speaking and teaching at writers’ conferences. Dianne is a 2006 CLASS graduate and a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers, Christian Authors Network, and Toastmasters International. She and her husband Richard currently live in Salt Lake City, which is too far away from their three grown children and two adorable grandchildren.

Reader: What is your favorite book in the Bible . . . and why?

 

 

Author Talk: Golden Keyes Parsons – Trapped

I’m delighted to introduce to you my friend Golden Keyes Parsons, who is a popular retreat and conference speaker and author of historical novels. Her book In The Shadow Of The Sun King (Thomas Nelson Publishing), first in a three-book series based on her family genealogy, released in the fall of 2008 and was named a finalist in the American Christian Fiction Writer’s Book of the Year Debut Author category. Her second book, Prisoner Of Versailles, was released September 2009 and was named a finalist in Romance Writers of America’s prestigious Daphne contest and was also a finalist for the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association Golden Scroll Novel of the Year. The concluding book in the series, Where Hearts Are Free released September 2010 and is a Women of Faith Book Club selection. Her fourth novel, His Steadfast Love, a Civil War novel set in Texas, released November 2011 and was a finalist in the RWA’s National Readers Choice Awards for 2012.

Let’s find out more about Golden — isn’t that a GREAT name? — and about her newest writing project called Hidden Faces.

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself, your family, and where you live.

Golden: My husband and I moved to Waco, Texas, after retiring from the pastorate in Red River, New Mexico, four years ago. We are Baylor University alumni, and two of our daughters and their children live here, so it was a natural place to land. We have eight grandchildren, three of them grown with their own families. So we also have four great-grandchildren. Our youngest daughter and her husband live in Dallas. Of course, I’m much too young to have all of these grandchildren … and great-grandchildren!

Q: Tell us about your call to write in the Christian arena.

Golden: I’ve always loved the written word and have always written. I grew up in a family of newspapermen, editors, and authors. I had won some essay contests in school and had a few things published here and there, but I never tried to get published seriously until I started speaking professionally. I started out writing non-fiction, but soon found that my skills really were more in the area of fiction.

Q: Do you consider yourself a Christian who writes good fiction or a writer who writes good Christian fiction?

Golden: I would hope that both are true, but if I have to choose one, I would rather be a Christian who writes good fiction. Actually I’m not so sure that we even need the delineation between Christian and non-Christian fiction. I teach a workshop on What Makes Christian Fiction Christian. It provokes much thought and discussion, but that’s for another forum.

Q: What is your daily schedule? And what are you usually wearing when you are writing?

Golden: I try to write in the mornings and do marketing in the afternoons, but it usually depends on whether I’m on deadline or not. I usually start writing after my time with the Lord in the mornings, so I’m still in my pjs. Then about 9 o’clock or so, I stop and get dressed, exercise, eat breakfast, then get back at it.

Q: Name five of your favorite things and five pet peeves.

Golden: Favorites: family, beautiful music, travel, ice cream and of course, a good book!

Pet Peeves: Card inserts in magazines, rude store clerks, male chauvinists, drivers who tailgate when you are already going over the speed limit, and people who ask you a question and then don’t listen to your answer.

Q: What went into your decision to write in your particular genre and time period?

Golden: I loved to read historical fiction when I was growing up, so it was natural for me to want to write in that genre. My first series, Darkness to the Light series, with Thomas Nelson Publishing, is about my ancestors in 17th century France, so that of course was set in that particular time period.

Q: Do you read the reviews that are written about your books? Do you believe and/or take to heart the reviews that are written about your books?

Golden: I did at first, but I don’t anymore. I received some good advice from a seasoned writer: “Don’t believe any of your reviews – good or bad. Those are just people’s opinions.” The bad ones upset me, and the good ones really aren’t an accurate evaluation of my writing. So I just don’t read them anymore.

Q: What is the message you hope people gain from reading your book(s)?

Golden: That God is faithful. We can trust him.

Q: What do you like to read? What is in your “stack to be read” right now?

Golden: I try to alternate between secular fiction, Christian fiction and non-fiction. I just read Birdsong by Sebastian Faulk at the suggestion of my agent. I’m currently reading Glen Beck’s Being George Washington. I just finished Karen Witemeyer’s To Win Her Heart. (That book and my latest novel, His Steadfast Love [Thomas Nelson] were finalists in the RWA’s National Readers Choice Awards, and I wanted to see what the competition was. However, Irene Hannon’s entry won.) Next on my list to read is Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey by The Countess of Carnarvon.

Q: What do you like most about being an author? The least?

Golden: Creating story is what I like the most. I absolutely detest marketing.

Q: Being an author brings opportunities to speak to different groups—book clubs, workshops, conferences. Do you enjoy public speaking or does it frighten you?

Golden: Since my spiritual gift is teaching and I am a professionally trained speaker, I love speaking to groups. And the size of the group doesn’t seem to intimidate me, nor does radio or TV. In fact, I’m more at home in front of a large group than I am in a smaller setting.

Q: What is your latest project and where can readers find you?

Golden: My latest series is Hidden Faces: Portraits Of Nameless Women In The Gospels, which is a biblical fiction series about nameless women in Scripture whose lives were forever changed through an encounter with Jesus. The first one, Trapped! The Adulterous Woman releases in October. The other three are Alone: The Woman At The Well, Broken: The Woman Who Anointed Jesus’ Feet, and Helpless:  The Woman With the Issue of Blood. These were all women whose stories were important enough to make the canon of Scripture, yet we don’t even know their names. I thought it would be intriguing to bring them to life through historical fiction.

They will release initially as ebooks, and then when the fourth one comes out, my publisher, Whitefire Publishing, will put them together in a print compilation.

Golden is an ordained minister, and she and her husband Blaine are retired from the pastorate and reside in Waco, Texas. She LOVES to hear from readers and you can contact her at www.goldenkeyesparsons.com or her email at golden@goldenkeyesparsons.com. 

BLOG READERS: If you comment, you’ll be in a drawing for one of Golden’s books, personally autographed to YOU! Whooohoooo! Have a GREAT Friday and a happy weekend of reading!