Debra L. Butterfield

Stories that Stir Your Spirit

Debra

Expect God to Fulfill His Promises

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This farmer planting his seeds will expect a harvest in the fall.

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6 NKJV).

When I was a kid, my parents paid me a determined amount for each A and B I earned on my report card. They saw this payment as a reward for my hard work, but it also motivated me to continue to make those good grades.

My parents were teaching me how the world works. I learned hard work has its rewards, and they weren’t all attached to dollar signs.

But some 20 years later in the 1980s, when I was doing the same for my own children, the popular thought became that this payment was bribery and not healthy for our children. Their (the leading child psychologists of the day, I suppose) contention was that children should earn those grades simply out of their own desire.

But let me ask you, would you work 40 hours a week for a company merely because you desired to work for that company? The obvious answer is no. And you’re probably saying that’s not an apples-to-apples comparison. But is the wage you earn from that company not a motivation for your work?

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And the Birthday Winner Is…

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blowing out birthday candles, a romance for Abby

Thank you all for helping me celebrate my birthday! It was such a fun week for me.

Your answers to my question about whether to write one book with a double romance or an entirely separate book with a romance for Abby have given me lots of food for thought. As I continue writing book two, I’ll plant the seeds for Abby’s romance, but your guess is as good as mine whether she’ll get a book of her own or not.

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It’s my Birthday. Let’s Celebrate

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When I was a kid in elementary school, we used to bring goodies of some kind to share with our classmates to celebrate our birthdays. As I remember, my mom baked cupcakes. My twin sister and I were in the same classroom for kindergarten, but after that, the school encouraged my parents that we be put into separate classrooms. So ever after, my mom had to make a double batch of cupcakes for us to take to school.

Did you celebrate your birthday this way when you were a kid?

In this grand tradition, I’m celebrating with a get-one-give-one celebration event. That means one lucky person will get two signed copies my novel, Claiming Her Inheritance, one to keep, and one to give to a friend.

For those who’ve read Claiming Her Inheritance, you know Sally Clark discovers she has a twin sister, Abby Reynolds. (Gee, where did I get that idea?) In book 2, Discovering Her Inheritance, Sally and Abby spend time together at Sally’s home in Kansas City to get better acquainted.

Book 2 is still in the draft stage, but is close to 50% completed. I hope to launch the book this October. Like my Facebook author page to stay updated on its status and release.

But I have a question for you, my readers,

that will impact future books I write.

Both Sally and Abby are single-never-married. Book 3 of the Her Inheritance trilogy (spoiler alert!) will be Sally’s romance story. I’m considering writing a fourth book as a romance for Abby.

My question to you is, would you like to see a fourth book dedicated to a romance for Abby or should I make book 3 a double romance? Leave your choice in the comments below and you will be entered to win the get-one-give-one prize.

I’m looking forward to reading your answers. Reviewers exclaiming they wanted a sequel to Claiming propelled me to write book 2 and, further, to make the books a trilogy. Yes, reviews are gold for authors, and we do read them!

I’ll draw a winner for the GOGO prize on Feb. 13, so you have until midnight Central time on Feb. 12 to leave your answer and be entered to win 2 signed copies of Claiming Her Inheritance.

Help me celebrate! Leave your comment below.

If you haven’t read Claiming Her Inheritance, it’s available all this week (Feb. 6–Feb. 12) for only 99 cents.

About Claiming Her Inheritance

Celebrate with me. Enter to win 2 signed copies of Claiming Her Inheritance by Debra L. Butterfield

The secret behind an inheritance wields far greater consequences for Sally Clark than the 6-figure yearly income.

Sally has received an inheritance of a lifetime, but first she must spend four weeks on the family ranch in Montana. Discontent and disgruntled with her job, she quits and flies to Montana to claim the inheritance. After a series of so-called accidents, she wonders whether she’ll survive to enjoy it.

Chase Reynolds is astounded that his father has willed one-third of their cattle ranch to a total stranger. Who is this woman and what hold did she have over his dad?

What Sally and Chase discover is beyond their imagination and wields far greater consequences than the inheritance.

A touch of suspense, a touch of romance, and a whole lot of fun. Get your copy of Claiming Her Inheritance today.

Ask the Author – My First Edit

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Author Debra L. Butterfield

A new post I’m starting this year is “Ask the Author.” That’s right, it’s your chance to ask your questions about me and my writing. The year’s first question comes from Chris Deanne: Tell me about your first edit.

Every writer has his/her own process. Many write the full manuscript before doing any editing at all. However, I almost always edit the previous day’s work before starting on today’s writing. One, it helps me recapture where I was in the story; and two, it helps get me warmed up for writing.

I also have a critique group I participate in each month and will make edits in the scene that day based on their feedback.

But I think Chris was asking about that first edit after completing the full draft.

First, I step away from the story for at least a week (preferably longer) to allow my brain to forget the big and little details of the story. That allows me to see holes anywhere in the story.

If I have a beta reader group, I’ll send a pdf of the story to them and give them a deadline of when I need their feedback.

Next, I read through the whole story as if I was a reader reading it for the first time. I usually print out the story to do this. Things on the printed page look different than on the computer screen.

I often encourage other writers to read their manuscript out loud or have their writing program read it out loud. (Fun fact about me: I fell asleep reading stories to my children, so I’m not sure listening to my story will work for me.)

As I’m reading through, I’ll make note of…
  • Typos and punctuation errors
  • Holes in the plot
  • Errors in time frame
  • Errors in characters’ details and their behavior.
  • Something that is unclear in a scene
  • Any idea I get to enhance a scene
  • Any item that needs research to ensure the fact is accurate
  • Clarity of point of view character

Once this is done, I’ll read through my beta readers’ feedback and make any necessary revisions.

This process is going to look different for every author. Because I edit during the writing process, this first edit of the full draft is more like a developmental edit–I’m mostly looking for big picture errors.

While writing, I might decide halfway through that I’m going to change a plot detail. Rather than revising after completing the manuscript, I’ll go back to the beginning of the story and rework every scene as needed to support that new plot detail before continuing.

I do make plot changes during that first read through, too. In writing Claiming Her Inheritance, I decided I would put a fake snake in Sally’s saddle bags. That meant I had to reread and revise as necessary every scene from that point to the end of the story to ensure every scene supported that change.

This is what constitutes my first edit, Chris. Thanks for asking, and I hope that’s what you were looking for.

Do you have a question you’d like to ask? Put it in the comments below. I’ll either reply to your comment or create a blog post to answer it.

I Want to Get to Know You

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Claiming Her Inheritance by Debra L. Butterfield

My debut novel, Claiming Her Inheritance, was birthed last week, March 16 to be exact. And yes, it’s very much like giving birth to a baby, but without all the pain.

My launch interview on March 16 with my publisher Tamara Clymer had my adrenaline pumping. I couldn’t sleep. Midnight arrived and rather than lie in bed awake, I sat down to start the next Sally Clark book. If you missed the interview, it’s available on YouTube.

In the next book, Sally heads to Montana to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with her new family. Along the way, a blizzard strands her in a small country church in western Kansas.

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Where Did the Idea for Claiming Her Inheritance From?

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Claiming Her Inheritance by Debra L. Butterfield

Where do authors get their ideas?

I’ve heard that question more times than I can remember. Have you ever asked that of a writer you’ve met? What answers did you get?

For me, my ideas come from all areas of my life—my struggles, my joys, my experiences, my dreams. I also get ideas from God if I ask Him, and the majority of the time, I’m asking! Because in reality, I live a rather boring life.

Since my first novel, Claiming Her Inheritance, launches later this month—March 16 to be exact—I thought I’d share the evolution of the idea for the story. I can’t speak for other writers, but my ideas go through a lot of change from seed to fruition.

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Start Your Year with Unshakable Faith

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Unshakable Faith Bible study Leaders Guide

Would you like to be empowered with inner strength?

Are you frustrated that your faith seems to waver with the difficulties that comes your way?

That inner strength you desire is available to you through the Holy Spirit residing within you. And you can have faith that is unshakable!

I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.

psalm 16:8 NLT

In these trying times, having unshakable faith is more essential than ever. That’s why I wrote the Unshakable Faith Bible study. I spent years learning the basics of faith, listening to sermons, attending Sunday school, and reading and studying the Bible.

Nowadays, very few churches even have Sunday school anymore, and I don’t want you to spend 20 years learning the basics. So I’ve covered the fundamentals and more in this 7-week study.

Where do I start?

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From Spy Fiction to Bible Studies: Meet Terry Toler

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Today I have the pleasure of visiting with best-selling, award-winning author Terry Toler. Terry’s book The Longest Day recently won the 2020 Religious Fiction Best Book Award sponsored by American Book Fest.

Author Terry Toler

Terry has written fifteen nonfiction books and eight novels including the Jamie Austen and Alex Halee spy novels along with The Eden Stories. He is a minister, public speaker, counselor, and retired entrepreneur. Impacting the lives of people worldwide through storytelling has become one of his passions in life. He can be followed at terrytoler.com.

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