Lynn Dove's Blog
November 25, 2013
The Little Engine That Could
I remember when I was a little girl one of my most favorite books was "The Little Engine that Could". Now for all of you X, Y, Z and subsequent generationers (...is thatuntitled even a word?), you may never even have heard about this book! Basically I believe that every Disney, Pixar, Family Channel movie etc. is founded on the same basic principle and message of this classic children's book. "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!" the Little Engine repeats over and over and over. It is the story of the littlest choo choo train accomplishing a task that other more powerful locomotives refused to try. It is the consumate underdog story of someone (or in this case something) who can accomplish BIG things if he will only believe in himself.
"A little railroad engine was employed about a station yard for such work as it was built for, pulling a few cars on and off the switches. One morning it was waiting for the next call when a long train of freight-cars asked a large engine in the roundhouse to take it over the hill "I can't; that is too much a pull for me," said the great engine built for hard work. Then the train asked another engine, and another, only to hear excuses and be refused. In desperation, the train asked the little switch engine to draw it up the grade and down on the other side. "I think I can," puffed the little locomotive, and put itself in front of the great heavy train. As it went on the little engine kept bravely puffing faster and faster, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can."
As it neared the top of the grade, which had so discouraged the larger engines, it went more slowly. However, it still kept saying, "I--think--I--can, I--think--I--can." It reached the top by drawing on bravery and then went on down the grade, congratulating itself by saying, "I thought I could, I thought I could."
Now I'm a big fan of "underdogs". I love stories where the least likely of all the characters becomes the greatest of heroes. There is something so satisfying to have the "little guy" win against all odds even when pitted against the most powerful opponent.
Sometimes I think in the book publishing world, I'm this "teeny tiny little fish" swimming in the current with all these huge blockbuster "big fish" and every once in a while it is so satisfying to swim past them, even if it's just for a few hours. For a couple of days last week, Shoot the Wounded was actually on two best selling lists on Amazon.ca I felt sort of like the movie character "Jack" on the Titanic being "the king of the world"...well,.. for a few hours at least...then the boat sank...
Good thing I know how to swim!
My "Wounded Trilogy" has received praise from around the world and just recently the third book, "Love the Wounded" won not only the prestigious "Seal of Approval" but also the Silver Medal for Faith-based fiction from Literary Classics for excellence in children's and young adult literature. Although the accolades are wonderful the most heart-warming for me are the comments from my readers and most recently an excited call from a dear friend in Edmonton who said she "couldn't put the books down" and now she wants to give a copy to each member of her youth group. Wow!
I remember when I wrote "Shoot the Wounded" that I would be thankful if one person read it and I would praise God for that. Well, He has gone far and above what I could ever have hoped for; taking my little stories to heights I could never ever imagined. You could say that He pushed that little engine up the hill and I'm just hanging on enjoying the ride!
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
"A little railroad engine was employed about a station yard for such work as it was built for, pulling a few cars on and off the switches. One morning it was waiting for the next call when a long train of freight-cars asked a large engine in the roundhouse to take it over the hill "I can't; that is too much a pull for me," said the great engine built for hard work. Then the train asked another engine, and another, only to hear excuses and be refused. In desperation, the train asked the little switch engine to draw it up the grade and down on the other side. "I think I can," puffed the little locomotive, and put itself in front of the great heavy train. As it went on the little engine kept bravely puffing faster and faster, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can."
As it neared the top of the grade, which had so discouraged the larger engines, it went more slowly. However, it still kept saying, "I--think--I--can, I--think--I--can." It reached the top by drawing on bravery and then went on down the grade, congratulating itself by saying, "I thought I could, I thought I could."
Now I'm a big fan of "underdogs". I love stories where the least likely of all the characters becomes the greatest of heroes. There is something so satisfying to have the "little guy" win against all odds even when pitted against the most powerful opponent.
Sometimes I think in the book publishing world, I'm this "teeny tiny little fish" swimming in the current with all these huge blockbuster "big fish" and every once in a while it is so satisfying to swim past them, even if it's just for a few hours. For a couple of days last week, Shoot the Wounded was actually on two best selling lists on Amazon.ca I felt sort of like the movie character "Jack" on the Titanic being "the king of the world"...well,.. for a few hours at least...then the boat sank...
Good thing I know how to swim!
My "Wounded Trilogy" has received praise from around the world and just recently the third book, "Love the Wounded" won not only the prestigious "Seal of Approval" but also the Silver Medal for Faith-based fiction from Literary Classics for excellence in children's and young adult literature. Although the accolades are wonderful the most heart-warming for me are the comments from my readers and most recently an excited call from a dear friend in Edmonton who said she "couldn't put the books down" and now she wants to give a copy to each member of her youth group. Wow!
I remember when I wrote "Shoot the Wounded" that I would be thankful if one person read it and I would praise God for that. Well, He has gone far and above what I could ever have hoped for; taking my little stories to heights I could never ever imagined. You could say that He pushed that little engine up the hill and I'm just hanging on enjoying the ride!
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
September 11, 2013
Love the Wounded earns Literary Classics Seal of Approval
Love the Wounded, by Lynn Dove, earns the Literary Classics Seal of Approval
Love the Wounded by Lynn Dove is the third book in the Wounded Trilogy, but the book is one that can easily be read as a stand-alone novel. Love the Wounded is a powerful story of love, life and forgiveness in the lives of teens whose worlds are intertwined in ways they could never have imagined.
Full of honest and raw emotions, Love the Wounded is a book which touches on a number of sensitive teen issues. -- Author Lynn Dove has done a tremendous job bringing her characters to life as they work through struggles, heartache and healing. As Christian fiction goes, this book has much to offer to young adults.
Love the Wounded comes highly recommended and has earned the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.
LITERARY CLASSICS Book Reviews & Awards http://literaryclassicsreviews.com
Love the Wounded by Lynn Dove is the third book in the Wounded Trilogy, but the book is one that can easily be read as a stand-alone novel. Love the Wounded is a powerful story of love, life and forgiveness in the lives of teens whose worlds are intertwined in ways they could never have imagined.
Full of honest and raw emotions, Love the Wounded is a book which touches on a number of sensitive teen issues. -- Author Lynn Dove has done a tremendous job bringing her characters to life as they work through struggles, heartache and healing. As Christian fiction goes, this book has much to offer to young adults.
Love the Wounded comes highly recommended and has earned the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.
LITERARY CLASSICS Book Reviews & Awards http://literaryclassicsreviews.com
February 13, 2013
Love the Wounded Valentine's Giveaway
It's Valentine's Day tomorrow, so what could be more fitting than giving away 10 Kindle (or PDF) copies of my book: Love the Wounded? And just for my Canadian readers, I'll give away 5 paperback copies of Love the Wounded!
Or you can go to Goodreads where I'm giving away 10 copies to Canadian readers in Book Giveaways.
About the book:
"Love the Wounded" by Lynn Dove is the final and dramatic conclusion to her brilliant Wounded Trilogy series that has followed the lives of teenagers Jake, Leigh, Mike, Dylan and Tim as they come to terms with a series of tragedies and events that have made each of them question why God allows "bad things to happen to good people".
Leigh does not know who to choose...her heart tells her she will always love Jake, but he has changed so much since the death of their friend, Ronnie, and with his mother going through breast cancer, he has totally closed himself off from her emotionally. Now she is dating Dylan and try as she might to accept him for who he is, she can't stop thinking about Jake!
Dylan has never gotten over the loss of his father and little sister, killed by a drunk driver when he was just a young boy.
After a horrific accident that has put both Tim and his little brother, Evan in the hospital, everyone knows that not only is he being bullied at school; he cuts himself to cope with it all. But meeting Cassidy has given him the courage to stand up to the bullies and at the same time give her what she so desperately needs...a life-giving bone marrow transplant.
Jake's mother keeps telling him that "God works all things out for good" but with all the things going on in his life and with his friends, he's just not sure anymore. It is only after Mike is paralyzed in a car accident that Jake was partially responsible for that all the families and friends will be brought back together, not by coincidence, but by God's design and then Jake will finally believe that God truly does "Love the Wounded".
"A life of working with youth has inspired Lynn Dove, a Cochrane mother to turn her experiences into a book trilogy...(the Wounded Trilogy) series that parallels the struggles of students...(and) covers the angst of some of the real serious issues that teenagers face today, particularly with bullying and gossip. " -Rocky View Weekly-
Now that I've piqued your interest...the only thing I ask is that you, leave a comment, and fill out form on Journey Thoughts or Word Salt tomorrow.
http://lynndove.wordpress.com/
http://wordsalt.wordpress.com/
If and when you receive my book, would you please be so kind to post a review on Amazon.com or Amazon.ca?
If I get over 20 comments, I will give away a complete Wounded Trilogy series to one commenter. Tell your friends!!
Happy Valentine's Day!!
Or you can go to Goodreads where I'm giving away 10 copies to Canadian readers in Book Giveaways.
About the book:
"Love the Wounded" by Lynn Dove is the final and dramatic conclusion to her brilliant Wounded Trilogy series that has followed the lives of teenagers Jake, Leigh, Mike, Dylan and Tim as they come to terms with a series of tragedies and events that have made each of them question why God allows "bad things to happen to good people".
Leigh does not know who to choose...her heart tells her she will always love Jake, but he has changed so much since the death of their friend, Ronnie, and with his mother going through breast cancer, he has totally closed himself off from her emotionally. Now she is dating Dylan and try as she might to accept him for who he is, she can't stop thinking about Jake!
Dylan has never gotten over the loss of his father and little sister, killed by a drunk driver when he was just a young boy.
After a horrific accident that has put both Tim and his little brother, Evan in the hospital, everyone knows that not only is he being bullied at school; he cuts himself to cope with it all. But meeting Cassidy has given him the courage to stand up to the bullies and at the same time give her what she so desperately needs...a life-giving bone marrow transplant.
Jake's mother keeps telling him that "God works all things out for good" but with all the things going on in his life and with his friends, he's just not sure anymore. It is only after Mike is paralyzed in a car accident that Jake was partially responsible for that all the families and friends will be brought back together, not by coincidence, but by God's design and then Jake will finally believe that God truly does "Love the Wounded".
"A life of working with youth has inspired Lynn Dove, a Cochrane mother to turn her experiences into a book trilogy...(the Wounded Trilogy) series that parallels the struggles of students...(and) covers the angst of some of the real serious issues that teenagers face today, particularly with bullying and gossip. " -Rocky View Weekly-
Now that I've piqued your interest...the only thing I ask is that you, leave a comment, and fill out form on Journey Thoughts or Word Salt tomorrow.
http://lynndove.wordpress.com/
http://wordsalt.wordpress.com/
If and when you receive my book, would you please be so kind to post a review on Amazon.com or Amazon.ca?
If I get over 20 comments, I will give away a complete Wounded Trilogy series to one commenter. Tell your friends!!
Happy Valentine's Day!!
April 30, 2012
John 3:16 Network Giveaway Blog Hop - May 7-14
I belong to a fantastic network of authors: the John 3:16 Marketing Network who are banding together May 7th to May 14th for a great Giveaway Blog Hop. Readers will have the opportunity to “hop” from one author’s blog to another signing up at each blog for a chance to win some amazing prizes.
Every John 3:16 member is offering something different on their blogs so readers have a chance to win books, e-gifts, gift cards and more!
But that’s not all!
The John 3:16 Marketing Network is going to give away not one, but
TWO Kindles!
Only one more week to go until the
John 3:16 Marketing Network’s Giveaway Blog Hop
- May 7th to 14th -.
It’s going to be amazing!
Every John 3:16 member is offering something different on their blogs so readers have a chance to win books, e-gifts, gift cards and more!
But that’s not all!
The John 3:16 Marketing Network is going to give away not one, but
TWO Kindles!
Only one more week to go until the
John 3:16 Marketing Network’s Giveaway Blog Hop
- May 7th to 14th -.
It’s going to be amazing!
February 28, 2012
Love the Wounded
http://lynndove.wordpress.com/2012/02...
I suppose it was only fitting that I wrote the last chapter of my book, “Love the Wounded” on Valentine’s Day. I suppose that has to be a “God thing”. It is the last book in the “Wounded Trilogy“, a wrap-up if you will of the adventures of Jake, Leigh, Mike and Dylan and all the other good folks in the fictional Albertan town of Maplewood.
As I punched out the last few lines and pressed the “saved” button, I just slumped in my chair and whispered “Done!” My husband and kids were long since in bed, but I was on a roll and just couldn’t stop the flow of words. I was so close to finishing, so I plugged on and that’s why at just before midnight I celebrated quietly alone in the dark by my keyboard after I had typed the last word of my story.
I guess after such a long labour, pouring my heart into a project that started with my first book in the “Wounded” series nearly four years ago, to the completion of the manuscript for the final book yesterday, I couldn’t help feeling a bit contemplative about it all. God led me on this writing journey and to tell the honest truth I had no idea then how many curves in the road there would be and what varied adventures waited for me around every corner.
My writer’s life has been for the most part a solitary one. It’s basically me parked in front of a computer screen, tapping out a plotline that is only imagined in my mind and then brought to ”life” on paper. It’s a weird process really. It’s even more weird when I consider all the other bizarre imagery and thoughts also rattling around in my head at the same time that I could have just as easily regurgitated to life and then instantly regretted. Silly, stupid, and basically messed up things that really should NEVER be put to paper. Fire yes,…paper…no!
James 3:1 says that “not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” I dare say that a writer in many ways is a teacher, especially those of us who are called by God to write. Our words may teach, empower, embolden, condemn, accuse, uplift, benefit and reprimand. Look at history. Mein Kampf caused an entire nation to embrace the ideology of a madman. The book, 1984 by George Orwell coined the phrase “Big Brother is watching you.” – a phrase that takes on new meaning today in this world of interconnectedness on the internet. The word “Twilight” will no longer be just a time in the day to sit and watch the sun go down, but now will be forever associated with vampires and werewolves. Even a simple journal, found after a young girl’s death, has become a symbol of racial persecution, something the young Anne Frank likely never would have imagined as she wrote her private thoughts into her diary.
Books have the ability to change lives, change history, change the world. It is no wonder that when we writers put pen to paper, or in this day and age, PDF’s to Kindle, we must be constantly aware that we will be held accountable one day for what we write.
Now I would be incredibly egotistical to think that my little books will someday “change the world”…Whoa! Still, whenever one person picks up and reads one of my books, whatever I have written will likely elicit a response…good, bad or indifferent in that person. No doubt when I look at my reviews later I will be able to determine what the ultimate response has been…heeheehee
So as I “birth” another book I hope you will allow me the artistic license this one time to change the wording in James slightly to keep me ever mindful as a writer Whose I am:
“Not many of you should presume to be (writers),…because you know that we who (write) will be judged more strictly.”
I suppose it was only fitting that I wrote the last chapter of my book, “Love the Wounded” on Valentine’s Day. I suppose that has to be a “God thing”. It is the last book in the “Wounded Trilogy“, a wrap-up if you will of the adventures of Jake, Leigh, Mike and Dylan and all the other good folks in the fictional Albertan town of Maplewood.
As I punched out the last few lines and pressed the “saved” button, I just slumped in my chair and whispered “Done!” My husband and kids were long since in bed, but I was on a roll and just couldn’t stop the flow of words. I was so close to finishing, so I plugged on and that’s why at just before midnight I celebrated quietly alone in the dark by my keyboard after I had typed the last word of my story.
I guess after such a long labour, pouring my heart into a project that started with my first book in the “Wounded” series nearly four years ago, to the completion of the manuscript for the final book yesterday, I couldn’t help feeling a bit contemplative about it all. God led me on this writing journey and to tell the honest truth I had no idea then how many curves in the road there would be and what varied adventures waited for me around every corner.
My writer’s life has been for the most part a solitary one. It’s basically me parked in front of a computer screen, tapping out a plotline that is only imagined in my mind and then brought to ”life” on paper. It’s a weird process really. It’s even more weird when I consider all the other bizarre imagery and thoughts also rattling around in my head at the same time that I could have just as easily regurgitated to life and then instantly regretted. Silly, stupid, and basically messed up things that really should NEVER be put to paper. Fire yes,…paper…no!
James 3:1 says that “not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” I dare say that a writer in many ways is a teacher, especially those of us who are called by God to write. Our words may teach, empower, embolden, condemn, accuse, uplift, benefit and reprimand. Look at history. Mein Kampf caused an entire nation to embrace the ideology of a madman. The book, 1984 by George Orwell coined the phrase “Big Brother is watching you.” – a phrase that takes on new meaning today in this world of interconnectedness on the internet. The word “Twilight” will no longer be just a time in the day to sit and watch the sun go down, but now will be forever associated with vampires and werewolves. Even a simple journal, found after a young girl’s death, has become a symbol of racial persecution, something the young Anne Frank likely never would have imagined as she wrote her private thoughts into her diary.
Books have the ability to change lives, change history, change the world. It is no wonder that when we writers put pen to paper, or in this day and age, PDF’s to Kindle, we must be constantly aware that we will be held accountable one day for what we write.
Now I would be incredibly egotistical to think that my little books will someday “change the world”…Whoa! Still, whenever one person picks up and reads one of my books, whatever I have written will likely elicit a response…good, bad or indifferent in that person. No doubt when I look at my reviews later I will be able to determine what the ultimate response has been…heeheehee
So as I “birth” another book I hope you will allow me the artistic license this one time to change the wording in James slightly to keep me ever mindful as a writer Whose I am:
“Not many of you should presume to be (writers),…because you know that we who (write) will be judged more strictly.”
December 31, 2011
September 1, 2011
Winner! 2011 Readers Favorite Book Awards
Just found out that my book, Heal the Wounded, (the sequel to my debut novel, Shoot the Wounded) has won a Bronze Medal in the 2011 Readers Favorite Book Awards! It came in 3rd in the Young Adult – Coming of Age category and was also a Finalist in the Christian Fiction category!
I also saw that readers can get Heal the Wounded at Amazon.com today for $3.38. You save 81% on the book cover price…just sayin’… (hint, hint)…
I am doing a happy dance!
I also want to give a shout out to fellow John 3:16 member, Paulette Harper for winning a Silver Medal in the Christian – Non-Fiction category for her book, Completely Whole. See my interview with Paulette here!
Also kudos to Laura Davis, fellow Word Alive Press author, for receiving Honourable Mention in the Christian Historical Fiction category for her book, Come to Me!
I also saw that readers can get Heal the Wounded at Amazon.com today for $3.38. You save 81% on the book cover price…just sayin’… (hint, hint)…
I am doing a happy dance!
I also want to give a shout out to fellow John 3:16 member, Paulette Harper for winning a Silver Medal in the Christian – Non-Fiction category for her book, Completely Whole. See my interview with Paulette here!
Also kudos to Laura Davis, fellow Word Alive Press author, for receiving Honourable Mention in the Christian Historical Fiction category for her book, Come to Me!
August 1, 2011
Finalist in the 2011 Readers Favorite Book Awards
So excited to announce that "Heal the Wounded" is a finalist in two categories: Christian General Fiction and Young Adult (Coming of Age) in the 2011 Readers Favorite Book Awards. My debut novel (and the first book in the "Wounded Trilogy" - "Shoot the Wounded") was a finalist in that same contest in 2010!
Winners will be announced in September but I am just thrilled to be included amongst such a great group of authors!
Winners will be announced in September but I am just thrilled to be included amongst such a great group of authors!
July 12, 2011
Carol Award Finalists!
Congratulations to all the Carol Award finalists!
http://lynndove.wordpress.com/2011/07...
http://lynndove.wordpress.com/2011/07...
June 20, 2011
Winner - Canadian Christian Writing Awards
So very excited to win in the Canadian Christian Writing Awards in the "blog series" category!
http://lynndove.wordpress.com/2011/06...
Shoot The Wounded
Heal the Wounded
Blessings,
Lynn
www.shootthewounded.org
http://lynndove.wordpress.com/2011/06...
Shoot The Wounded
Heal the Wounded
Blessings,
Lynn
www.shootthewounded.org
