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Writing and climbing a mountain ...

1/25/2021

32 Comments

 
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Hello readers! If you're like me, this month has been a blur of ups and downs. When my husband flew to Florida for a family funeral, I decided to make it a retreat week for me. I never turned on the television, didn't know what was going on, and didn't care. I needed soul-refreshment.

Once everything quieted, inside and outside, I knew it was time to start writing again. For me, the experience of writing is a bit like hiking up a mountain in thick fog. You can see the path, but only a few feet of it. Ultimately, you have to trust yourself to find the way. 

I'm only four thousand words or so into the final book of the The Contract series, but I have a title, The Call for Freedom, and I like where it's headed. So this is good! Like the prior books, it is a political thriller involving international players. My background in theology and counseling really doesn't help much, so I'm constantly researching locations, rivalries, and much more. Our common humanity is at the core of why I write. No matter where we might live, we are family. I try to underscore that truth in my writing. 

While on my "retreat" I read the reviews of The Culmination and beamed with gratitude. Today I share three of the reviews, and at another time, I will share others. These reviews are from writers of series. Mae Clair is a master Mystery writer. Jill Weatherholt excels in writing Christian Romance. D.L. Finn's series entices through angels and the paranormal. All three are extraordinary writers, and I highly recommend them. My sincere thank you, Mae, Jill, and Denise. 💗

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Excerpt from Mae Clair's Review: 
A political thriller, that addresses denuclearization, tensions in the Middle East, and the fate of refugees, much of the story echoes current headlines. The plot is complex involving multiple heads of state, along with the strategical give and take of political maneuvering on a global level. The author clearly put an extensive amount of research into this book, and it shows. Adrenalin-fueled scenes alter with more cerebral moments, and even a few romantic interludes.

I especially loved the evolution of the relationship between the two central characters, Margaret Adler, VP of the United States and Ivan Smirnov, acting President of Russia. During the course of the novel those titles change, and we learn more about each, including richly developed backgrounds. I was thoroughly invested in the difficulties Margaret and Ivan faced, both on personal and political levels. Their scenes together were among my favorites of the book. There’s also a young refugee child who factors into the story and who stole my heart.

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Excerpt from Jill Weatherholt's Review:
Written by award-winning author Gwen Plano, The Culmination is a must read for readers who enjoy political and military intrigue. This book is the third in the Contract series, but it can certainly be read as a stand-alone. That said, I recommend the other two books as well. The characters in this third installment are well-developed. They take you through action-packed situations, relevant to our current world. This captivating thriller, along with a thread of romance, will keep you turning the pages.

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Excerpt from D.L. Finn's Review: 
The Culmination is the third book in the Contract Series. I loved all the books, but this one topped them. It touched me on a level of reality and fear, bringing the idea of hope in our current cold social climate. It starts after the second book and an assassination attempt. There is a group determined to cause mayhem and stop anyone in their way, including heads of state. There's not only exciting action but developing relationships and political intrigue. I found a lot of what was going on in the story relevant for current times. Where Ms. Plano took this story is a place where I could imagine the right things being done in the middle of chaos. I loved the American Vice President with her logic and heart. Beautifully written and thought-provoking with scenarios all too familiar, some heartbreaking, and some tender. This book not only scared me but offered an optimistic option at the same time. I highly recommend it and the whole series.
32 Comments
Hamony Kent link
1/26/2021 03:20:49

Congratulations on these great reveiws, Gwen. I'm so thrilled for you and look forward to seeing the final book! :)

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Gwen M Plano
1/26/2021 06:13:08

Thank you so much, Harmony. 💗

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CS Boyack
1/26/2021 05:05:43

Those are wonderful reviews. Congratulations.

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Gwen M Plano
1/26/2021 06:13:50

Thank you, Craig. I'm with you, they are wonderful reviews. 🙂

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Staci Troilo link
1/26/2021 05:15:00

I'm glad to hear the week-long spiritual retreat gave you the jumpstart you needed on your WIP. Great title, too. And wonderful reviews on The Culmination, Gwen. Congratulations. Also, how nice of you to spotlight the reviewers in such a beautiful manner.

By the way, my condolences to you, your husband, and his family.

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Gwen M Plano
1/26/2021 06:15:06

Thank you, Staci. I needed the jumpstart, and I'm hoping it guides the way. 💗

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Jill Weatherholt link
1/26/2021 05:30:36

Well, this certainly was a wonderful surprise! How sweet of you to spotlight your reviewers, Gwen. I love the graphic you created with the hummingbirds! Thank you so much. I'm really happy you had a nice retreat and made some progress on your next book.I can't wait! Completely unplugging is something I long to do. My deepest sympathy to your husband and the family. xo

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Gwen M Plano
1/26/2021 06:16:38

Thank you, dear Jill. I couldn't resist including hummingbirds. After all, you are their beloved. 💗

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Pat Garcia link
1/26/2021 07:14:02

Hi,
I really am looking forward to reading The Culmination. Mainly because of the little bits and pieces I've read about refugees. That is a big problem over here in the European Union. They have refugees living in tents with no warm water and no heat. It's cold over here, very cold. And yes we have empty housing here throughout Europe but none of the communities want the refugees in their area. It is so sad.
I have one more book to read before I start yours.

Also, I like the title of the book you're writing on.
Have a great week.
Shalom aleichem

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Gwen M Plano
1/26/2021 08:44:05

Thank you so much, Pat. It's heartbreaking what refugees suffer. More than 13 million Syrians are displaced, most live without the basics of life. And that is only one ethnic community. Shalom 💗

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Mae Clair link
1/26/2021 08:14:44

It's wonderful to see an excerpt from my review here today along with Jill's and Denise's. Congratulations on all your great reviews for The Culmination. It is a fabulous read with such strong and engaging characters.

Many thanks for the shout-out as well and the lovely graphic with my series novels. Beautiful!

I'm so glad you found your footing on that writing mountain again, Gwen. Wishing you all the best with your progress. I was hoping there would be a book to follow The Culmination in this series!

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Gwen M Plano
1/26/2021 08:45:39

Thank you so much, Mae. It was your encouragement that helped me take the leap. 😊

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John Howell link
1/26/2021 09:20:51

Lovey post, Gwen

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Gwen M Plano
1/26/2021 10:16:03

Thank you, John.

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Pete Springer link
1/26/2021 09:33:26

I'm late to the party, but I'm looking forward to starting your Contract Series soon as Contract is making its way closer to the top of my Kindle. I've read some of John's excellent work before, and I like political thrillers. Continued success with your current project, Gwen.

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Gwen M Plano
1/26/2021 10:21:54

Thank you, Pete, for stopping by and for offering good wishes. All the best! 🙂

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D.L. Finn
1/26/2021 10:06:52

I'm excited about The Call to Freedom, Gwen! Yay:) I like the writing comparison to walking in up the mountain in a thick fog. Those words appear when we get there. Thank you for the kind words, I loved Culmination and all of the series. Good idea to tune the world put for the week. I'm trying to do that too except for keeping up on the weather. Hugs xo

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Gwen M Plano
1/26/2021 10:18:35

Thanks so much, Denise. 💗

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Jan Sikes
1/26/2021 11:06:15

We all need those kinds of disconnect retreats, Gwen, and kudos to you for taking the opportunity! And look what happened! Congrats on starting the new book and on the fabulous reviews!

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Gwen M Plano
1/26/2021 11:17:28

Thanks so much, Jan! 💗

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Jacquie Biggar link
1/26/2021 11:26:29

Wonderful reviews, Gwen! I'm glad you were able to get some downtime to replenish the well, as they say.
Love the new title!

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Gwen M Plano
1/26/2021 12:26:24

Thanks so much, Jacquie.

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Vashti Q link
1/26/2021 12:19:59

Congratulations, Gwen! Three marvelous reviews! I'm glad you took some time to unwind and disconnect from worldly things. Happy writing!

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Gwen M Plano
1/26/2021 12:26:57

Thank you, Vashti. 🤗

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Mark Bierman link
1/27/2021 06:45:34

Gwen, from what I have seen of your writing talent, you can navigate that thick fog as if it were a beautiful sunny day. :) Those reviews are from excellent wirters who know their stuff! Congratulations!

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Gwen M Plano
1/27/2021 09:39:37

Thank you so much, Mark. Your kind words nudge me forward. 😊

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Kathleen Pooler link
1/27/2021 09:43:04

Congratulations on these enticing reviews of Culmination, Gwen! It’s definitely on my TBT list.😊

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Gwen M Plano
1/27/2021 14:29:31

Thank you, Kathy. I hope you are doing well. 💗

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Teagan R. Geneviene link
1/28/2021 09:20:59

Congrats on these very well deserved reviews, Gwen. I've no doubt that the next book will be outstanding.

Your description of writing and a foggy climb truly resonated with me. Even when I can see the next steps of the story (or the ending), the past year and more, floundering in my fog makes it impossible to write. Beautifully expressed. Hugs on the wing.

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Gwen M Plano
1/28/2021 11:29:43

Thank you, dear Teagan. Hugs back to you. 💗

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Miriam Hurdle link
1/30/2021 20:03:22

This is wonderful that you received these excellent reviews, Gwen. I agree with you that writing, especially in the beginning, takes extra effort to feel the way through. It's good to hear you had a quiet time to retreat and rejuvenate.

Have q wonderful weekend and take care!

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Gwen M Plano
2/2/2021 19:33:37

Dear Miriam, thank you so much for your kind thoughts and good wishes. 💗

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Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. ―Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning


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