I love to cook and I don’t mind following a recipe, but I’m always asking myself ‘what can I do to make it better?’
I had planned to use ground turkey for last night’s supper. I usually make turkey burgers with it but wanted to stretch out and try something new. As a side note, let me say they are not meant to be a substitute for hamburgers. Turkey is not beef. It’s a whole different animal. If you think of it as a separate dish to add to your menu, you might find you actually like it.
Anyway, after a search on Pinterest, I found a recipe for cheeseburger pie that looked interesting. Besides the turkey, it called for onions, cheese, and some of that instant biscuit mix that has never owned space in my pantry. (No offense to those who use it.) Hmm, sounds kind of bland, doesn’t it? What can I do to make it better?
First off, salt, pepper, and garlic are standards for most of my savory dishes. Chili powder and cumin would probably be good. Chipolte, maybe? Nah, too spicy. I had some banana peppers a friend blessed me with, and tomato sauce would certainly help. Hmm, what else? A chopped slice of bacon would add flavor but not too much fat when sprinkled into the whole dish.
I do the same for my writing. I want it to be well seasoned but not too spicy. And even when I think it is at its best, I never stop asking ‘What can I do to make it better?’
Even with eleven books under my belt, I’m still reading articles, taking online classes, and studying books on the craft of writing. What I do is a representation of God, and I want it to be at its very best.
So now I ask you, what can I do to make it better? If you are familiar with my writing and you have advice for me that you think would be an improvement on what I am doing, lay it on me. I won’t get offended and I promise to prayfully consider your suggestions. My email address is andreaboyd11@gmail.com.
In the comments below, tell me in general what you’d like to see more of in Christian romance. One commenter will win a paperback copy of Irresistibly Yours.
Vivian Emerson has decided to stick with the single life from now on. An already ruined marriage ended with her husband’s embarrassing death, leaving her wanting nothing more than to put it all behind her and start over in a new place.
Bo Manning hasn’t even considered remarriage after the death of his wife, until Vivian arrives sparking his interest with only one tear-filled look. Despite Vivian’s resolve, Bo sets out to patiently woo her.
Each of Andrea Boyd’s series represents a different genre but all fall into the category of romance. All offer an element of her own brand of humor. And all are a tribute to God. Besides writing, she loves spending time with her family, quilting, going to car shows, and driving around in her 1968 Barracuda convertible. Andrea lives with her husband, Tommy, and at least a couple of cats in York County, SC.
I have truly enjoyed seeing the more mature couples in Christian Fiction lately, and of course anything with children!
Loved your article and your passion for lifelong learning and honing your craft. I loved the matchmaking mommas series and would love to see more books which include the whole family and community, especially families and communities which reflect the diversity of those in the real world.
I’m always looking for how characters’ faith affects their decision-making processes and values.
I always enjoy seeing characters that authentically struggle in their faith but keep choosing God despite their struggles. Sometimes it can seem like people don’t struggle in their faith or like they have one encounter with God and everything is magically better afterwards. I always enjoy a true faith journey.
I love to read about mature couples, either second chance or been together forever. My parents celebrated 69 years together last month. They are an inspiration!
I like mature characters too!
Agree. And I met my husband through a matchmaking aunt, so I do love that concept!
Love!
In other words, you like realistic faith stories. Me too!
69 years, wow!
I’ve enjoyed reading about more “mature” couples, especially since I’m closer to 60. I read a book the other day that had a part where “she’s 56, not 36!” and I thought, hey, wait a minute! Then remembered the character that said that was in her early 20’s, so yeah, I guess. It’s always bothered me when characters are thought of as “old” in their 40’s and 50’s, though, especially women, and now that I’m over that, it really kinda bugs me. Especially since I don’t consider 80’s and 90’s old. Some people are old at 20! So, I’d like to see older folks presented realistically, which more books are doing, just have to really look for them.
I agree with the others that have mentioned faith and realism. It’s so encouraging to have a character who struggles with something I’m dealing with and they “share” how God is working in their life.
I agree that seeing some older characters find romance and love is refreshing. Also I think seeing them as imperfect creatures helps it to be more realistic. Love isn’t usually like in the fairy tales. Every romance and even marriage has it’s struggles and even huge failures at times. The point is letting God guide you through to make it successful.
I had to laugh when reading Trudy’s response! Not at her but the premise in general. I have always had what others my age considered a strange conception of being old! I started out as a teenager working in nursing homes and in-home care help for the “elderly”. I didn’t consider people very ‘old’ if they were less than upper 80s! Fast forward to losing my husband when I was 50 & him 2 yrs older and I got thrown into the ‘widow’ set. Two years later and I ended up in the nursing home for almost 6 months…..with my 96 year old Grandma!! How can you not laugh at that? Even now at 58 I have considerable trouble getting around but my mind works fine (at least I think so! haha) I have come to the conclusion that age is more a concept than number and the mind and the body are rarely on the same page! That being said I do enjoy stories around older people.
Where I came from a marriage with an unbeliever I would love to read more about the spiritual communication & life of a couple. That is the one thing I wish I had experienced. Maybe even having a story of a couple and how they turn to God and each other as one goes through physical struggles. I had that from the caretaker’s perspective but without the unity in Christ. I don’t really remember reading a fictional story like that before. Needless to say I especially enjoy books I can relate to.
I enjoy turkey and also venison substituted for hamburger in dishes. I enjoy reading about more mature characters lately in some books.
I agree about the mature people
I wholeheartedly agree with the other commenters about more mature main characters and realistic spiritual story arcs. Coming from the male point of view, I would also like to raise the flag for less emphasis on broad shoulders, square jaws and billion dollar bank accounts. The same for the female characters. We men may be wired for the visual but that doesn’t mean we want to stick our finger in a light socket at every opportunity.
I know that handsome men are swoon-worthy. And beautiful women are captivating. But the most wonderful love story I know (my wife and I, of course :) started in church with two people who were drawn to each other’s personalities and characters before ever sharing a kiss. Neither one of us is ugly, but you won’t find us on the cover of a romance novel, either. More’s the pity. The idea probably won’t sell as well, though. More’s the pity, there, too.
It’s certainly true that God looks on the heart. Shouldn’t we be content to do so as well?
I too like mature characters but maybe a little differently. I would love to see older single hero/heroine. Older Singles never married and having never had a real boyfriend happen its not and anomaly its actually more common than many think. By real boyfriend I mean a real meaningful relationship that they knew would be there forever love.
I would like to see 40+ hero/heroines. One could have been a widower etc. In christian circles older single never married get a hard rap. (from experience) I have been told my values are too high, or asked whats wrong with me that I am not married. Also older singles especially in country areas or smaller churches where there isn’t a singles ministry are often left out of things. again from experience when there was a mens event a couple of the married women organised for the women to meet for a meal but I wasn’t invited cos I didn’t have a husband/boyfriend. It was a deliberate snub by one lady as she invited everyone in front of me. I was actually told I am a threat to them. (because I am single I must be wanting to steal their husband or they don’t like that I have freedom thats what I have been actually told).
Books with older single never married gives us hope (Single due to being a widow, divorce are treated differently and more accepted although they also get excluded at timea)
I would love to read about domestic abuse and how a person got out of it and is getting help, I think something like this would be of Great help to people that are going through it, and of course it could be fiction, I just think it needs to be out there more so that people can see that there is hope and help out there. Thank you for the chance of your book. Have a Great rest of the week and stay safe.
I love using ground turkey, A couple of weeks ago I used ground turkey and ground turkey sausage to make some really good meatballs. The book sounds great.
Deb, my Mom is 96, I’m 58. I have 3 older sisters, one will be 60, one will be 62, and one will be 64. Age is all relative! Nothing really seems old to me anymore!! You might like the Baxter series by Karen Kingsbury. The parents in that set go through a lot, and you’ll see how they grow and change as a couple. She has another set that deals with that, too, I think it’s her Forever Faithful series. I read it so long ago, though, I’m not sure!
Oh, I agree, Ausjenny!! The same thing has happened to me!! I think that’s why I love the Tales of the Grace Chapel Inn. One of the main characters is a single, never married RN.
I’m down for any and all stories that depict Christian characters living out their faith (or, “realistic faith stories”) :) So, just keep up the good work ;)
I love how characters’ faith and trust is growing ; how they rely on God! How they see the Light and Hope!
I love seeing mature couples with children & teen moms getting a surprise pregnancy & having to mature to raise there children. I really love those type of books.
I like mature romance couples in books & them having a special relationship
I love seeing more of God in Christian fiction. Sometimes God is only mentioned as an afterthought to make it Christian
sounds good. I bet if a survey was done of the average age of CF readers it wouldn’t be the 18 -25 demographic.
A young reviewer said she liked Irresistibly Yours, “but why’d the characters have to be so old?” Lol They’re in their 40’s. Maybe I thought 40 was old when I was in my 20’s, I don’t remember. I’m just glad there are enough books out there with a large variety of ages and personalities to please everyone.
Faith and realism are two criterias of books I like too.
My daughter and I joke about how she’s older than I am in spirit. She should have lived back in the 1950’s according to her taste and mindset. Lol so, yes, age is just a number.
My son’s hunt so I’m no stranger to venison. I have a good recipe for Italian sausage I make for them every year.
Yeah, I’m tired of the billionaire stories too, but get rid of the broad shoulders and square jaws? You’re breaking my heart, lol. Just kidding. I have one coming up in a Christmas collection (A Promise So Sweet) were the female mentions the hero’s “cute overbite.” Does that help balance it out some?
Thanks for your sweet and funny response. It has really made my morning!
I love the Baxter series Trudy! I remember being on the library sharing system to get each of those books as soon as they were released…..that was back before I ever got started into ebooks. Those are books I have reread many times. I still love the original story that started the series but it was neat to follow the kids as they grew up too. I have one sister 18 months older & am 58 as well. I lost my Momma when she was 72 but both of her parents died at 98! After Grandpa retired they built 4 or 5 houses because he was bored. Neither of them seemed old to me until their last couple of years!
Andrea, I love to use venison in a hard salami I make too! I have to mix it with pork sausage to even out the fat content but it’s really good. I have a very hard time making my homemade spaghetti sauce without having venison meatballs in it. The flavor just doesn’t seem right without it! It is a recipe handed down from my grandparents who had lots of land to hunt on. It is likely much because it is the way it was the way they always made it but the flavors really compliment each other. I rarely have venison anymore but have found a butcher I buy it from when it’s time for the spaghetti. 🍝
Alicia, you should read Alana Terry’s books in The Orchard Grove Series. All three of these books deal with abuse and closely related issues. I love and would recommend all of her books but I think you would like this series the most! If you are a fan of Christian suspense you should check into her Kennedy Stern Series. She is very talented at writing true to life, hot button topics full of clear Christian struggles! Many of her characters are in several of her books and deal with abusive relationships in one form or another.
I’m thinking you’re right! There are quite a few ladies in our church who are never married and older than I am, and I know of quite a few my age.
I hate you had that experience. And sadly, I can relate to it in a way. I’m married and my husband goes to church now, but for 15 years, I went by myself. There didn’t seem to be a place for people like me. Unfortunately, becoming a Christian doesn’t make you suddenly infallible. I pray the experience didn’t leave you with bitterness.
Maybe one day I will. It’s no secret that I suffer abuse as a child. The key is allowing God to use those experiences. So far, the closest I’ve come in a book is Love’s Redemption. It’s the 3rd in the Walden Beach series but could be read alone. It’s more about healing than escaping, but you may find that helpful.
Sounds great!
Thanks!
❤
Raising kids sure will make you grow up. Lol I was 18 with my first and I remember feeling like I’d aged 10 years the day I had him.
❤
I agree Angeline. It’s irritating to start reading a “Christian” book to find characters mentioning they go to church or pray and that’s it. I used to get angry but try to change my line of thinking. Now it mostly makes me feel bad for an author who thinks being a Christian just means they go to church or live a ‘good’ life. They are missing out on the best relationship possible!!
At one time someone was talking about couples going out and I said singles don’t get invited cos it makes an odd number or they are not thought of. There was another single there and my friend turned to her and said thats not right is it. and she said yes. After that this friend made an effort to include me.
At times it would be nice to be asked out but I am a home body at night now days.
I had to laugh at your “Bisquick mix has never owned a space in my pantry” because I am right there with you! I have always made things as homemade as possible (pancakes, waffles, biscuits, rolls, sweet breads, etc) and don’t care for boxed things of this nature. Like you said, no offense to those who do use them :-)
I do remember my mom using Bisquick when I was growing up. She’s no baker so I’m not sure where I got that gene from, lol! I also discovered an old recipe among my husbands stash for Cheeseburger pie using Bisquick mix, but since I don’t own any of that, I found a recipe for it online. I found it works just as good & tastes better (in my opinion)! And I only use as much as the recipe calls for….no waste!
As for ground turkey, I switched to that years ago and use it for just about anything. Except for meatloaf (which tends to fall apart with turkey) and burgers on the grill. I have also done my own turkey burgers and will do those every once in a while. Throw bacon, lettuce, tomato, etc and it tastes divine!
What would I like to see more in Christian fiction? Let’s make characters more “real”, they are flawed like us and deal with the same things as we do…wrong attitudes, grumbling, regretting saying something to someone, or just anything like that. Because I want to see how the author deals with it in the book and how characters overcome those things. I need to be encouraged in my own walk and maybe something the character does will resonate with me and remind me of what I need to do for my own faith walk. Does that make sense? I don’t care for characters who are “too perfect” and do just about everything “too perfect”, if that makes sense. Also, make faith more natural (or organic I guess the word is nowadays) to the characters….in all they do, say, actions, etc. Faith is central in my life and I’d like to see it played out in the characters too. Going to church, praying, reading the Word, etc should play a central role in the story….and not feel “forced” or an afterthought. I hope this all makes sense! :-)