Pokemon GO vs. Finding A Groom

I'm starting to learn no two weddings on Wednesdays are ever the same.

Before one bride could exchange her vows, she had to track down a pokestop alert from her Pokemon Go App. She was frantic when she entered the courthouse, asking strangers where to find a certain statue. I'm happy to report she found it next door at the police station (seriously, I can't make this stuff up).With her first mission accomplished, she was able to say, "I do," hours later in Judge Jamison's chambers. Love the blue dress!

Between the nuptials, Judge Jamison's bailiff and a court clerk decided to munch on some Cheez-Its. It was going to be a long day with thirty-two couple committing to "for better or worse." Speaking of bailiffs, every Wednesday there is a different judge, and their bailiffs do things a certain way. For example, Frank had empty seats in the courtroom and I asked why he had family and friends standing outside. He told me if I wanted to find them a seat, I could. The church usher in me kicked in, so I seated the elderly and disabled first on the front pews--oops, I mean benches. I reserved seating in the jury box seats for the brides and grooms. Not bad, I packed them in!

I love it when I see people dressed for a grand occasion. One such couple is pictured below. I chatted with her about this being her day. I asked, "Do you feel like a princess?"
"Yes," she answered almost breathless. She went on to explain her husband-to-be was from Columbia and they had a handsome little son. Her friends made this day special by giving her a break on the dress and offering their services for her hair and make up. They helped her create a fairy tale wedding. Next, I took a picture of a bride who showed off her ring as the new Mrs. She and her new hubby made such a cute couple.

Weddings are a family affair, even at the courthouse. Check out this happy couple with their daughter. the girl was the perfect flower girl. Her smile was pure happiness. Love it!

Look at this stack of the marriage certificates and more were coming. I assisted this court reporter, who needed a second witness, by adding my name to the dotted line. Finally, after an hour, or so of "hard work," I had to go. I asked Frank, the bailiff, if I could leave departing words to the couples. Since I had the floor, I congratulated all of them and challenged them to catch up with me--I've been married for 33 years.

That's it for me this week. #WeddingsWednesday

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Pat is the multi-published author of more than a dozen Christian titles and is a three-time recipient of the Emma Rodgers Award for Best Inspirational Romance. She has been a featured speaker and workshop presenter at various venues across the country.

As a self-proclaimed genealogy sleuth, Pat is passionate about researching her ancestors and then casting them in starring roles in her novels. She describes the evidence of the gift of the Holy Ghost as an amazing, unforgettable, life-altering experience. God is the Author who advances the stories she writes.

Pat is currently overseeing the media publicity for the annual RT Booklovers Conventions. She has a B.S. in mass communications from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts.

Pat converted her sofa-strapped, sports fanatic husband into an amateur travel agent, untrained bodyguard, GPS-guided chauffeur, and administrative assistant who is constantly on probation. They have a son and a daughter.

Read more about Pat and her books by visiting www.patsimmons.net or on social media.

Download her latest release JET: Back Story to Love Led by the Spirit for only .99

Writing Research 101: Becoming Part of the Story

Welcome to my Courtroom Weddings on Wednesdays

Attending these festivities is part of my writing research for a Christian romance series. Yesterday afternoon, Judge Dueker presided over 25+ marriages, each lasted no more than five minutes. Although I could only watch about a dozen or so, I had an incredible opportunity to stand in as a witness for young couple, known as #23, and sign their certificate.

Every week I asked random couples why they chose to exchange vows in the courthouse. Their reasons varied from "Why not, we've been together forever," to "He's getting ready to serve." Some didn't need any other reason than to officially be a family with their children dressed in their Sunday best. And the couples' ages ranged from their twenties to the seventies.

Couple 23 could have been my children. Nervously, the groom wanted to know if they needed rings, I told him no. He asked if they needed a witness. Automatically, my hand went up, and I volunteered to be their witness, even though the court reporter would have been the default witness anyway. I was as hyped as them. How exciting. I was about to become part of their story.


Since they were number #23 and the judge had finished #14, I asked the bailiff if "my" couple could go next, because I had to leave. Minutes later, I stood before the judge watching them exchange vows.
Whether they planned to get married yesterday or not, I don't know, because everyone doesn't dress up for the occasion.
Oh, and their reason for the courthouse wedding was they were very religious and they couldn't move in together unless they were married. Young love. I did challenge them to stay married as long as me--thirty-three years. And I will be keeping them in my prayers.

 

There was a family that traveled from China to see their daughter get married. Everyone was dressed for the occasion and they even let me take a group picture. After the bride and groom exchanged vows, their guests formed a receiving line outside the courtroom and softly clapped as the newlyweds walked out.

There was another tender moment that made me glad that I pen Christian romance novels. One couple exchanged vows as the groom held their infant daughter. The baby couldn't have been more than a few weeks old. She rubbed his arm as they repeated their vows and their kiss was gentle. Since some couples skipped the smooches part, this was an ahh moment from the audience. Then new bride left the courtroom blinking back tears.

Yes, I found love in the courtroom on yesterday and I can't wait to write the stories that have inspired my imagination in my Love in the Courtroom series.
Back next week with new brides and grooms.
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If you haven't already downloaded, JET the Back Story to Love Led by the Spirit, do it today.
Only .99.

https://goo.gl/xiJiQA

Research Time!!

Welcome to my summer field trips.

While on a work assignment at the St. Louis County Courtroom, I learned a few things about cases that are heard in the courtrooms. Mondays are reserved for people who want to change their names; Paternity Tuesdays need no explanation, Wedding Wednesdays, which are open to the public; Probation Revocation are heard on Thursdays; and divorces are granted every day of the week along with other civil and criminal trials.

After learning the schedule of “appearances,” I opted to witness my first courthouse wedding. I was hyped as I counted down the days to Weddings Wednesday. With thirty to forty marriages to preside over in one afternoon, judges’ one-minute nuptials would put speed dating to shame.

Judges performed the ceremonies on a rotating schedule. One judge walked in late, carrying his black robe tucked under his arm. By the time the bailiff had assembled the couples on a first come, first serve basis; the judge had slipped on his robe while cracking jokes to stir up couples and their witnesses. I later found out, ironically, that divorce judges also act as justice of the peace on Weddings Wednesday.

I didn’t know what to expect as I entered the crowded courtroom, but I did hope to capture that “look of love” on brides and grooms’ faces. It was odd to see some couples repeat their vows to the judge instead of gazing into their beloved’s eyes. On my wedding day, thirty plus years ago, I wanted my husband to look me in the eye when he made his promises!

Being a bystander wasn’t enough. Since I’m nosy by nature, I had to ask some brides why they chose the courthouse. Their reasons varied.

“We’ve been together for twenty-five years. We decided to make it legal,” said a woman sitting on the last bench. It seemed to be no big deal to her hubby to-be either who sat stoically beside her.  

I moved on to another bride-to-be and asked a similar question.

“We had planned to get married last year, then I got pregnant with her,” she pointed to the toddler playing at her feet, “so since we’re trying to buy a house, the courthouse worked.”

Besides her, there were a good number of women marrying the father of their children, including some who were pregnant.

The dress attire was as diverse as the nationalities tying the knot. I could count on one hand, okay, maybe seven fingers how many had dressed for the grand occasion. Some looked like they were on their way to a movie, shopping, or even heading back home after the certificate was signed.

There were some eye-catching fairytale brides who wore white or off white. One woman had on a long cream dress. Her hair was adorned with flowers as if they were on a vine. She bounced a baby girl in her arms who was outfitted in a cute orange chiffon dress. “I have my flower girl and bouquet wrapped up in one,” she told me with a smile.

“What made you decide to get married at the courthouse?” I asked.

The groom, decked out in a suit and tie, answered, “I’m about to enlist in the U.S. Navy and I had to be married to make sure my family was taken care of.”

“Awww, so when are you enlisting?”

“Friday.”

“You’re just making the cut,” I told him and thanked him for his upcoming service.

On another Weddings Wednesday, I chuckled after a woman, wearing shorts and a T-shirt, rushed inside the courtroom. “Did I miss it?” she asked a couple across the aisle in a voice that wasn’t a whisper. The embarrassed bride and groom shook their heads no.

There so much more, but I’ll share them in a blog or include them in an upcoming story.

Here’s some pictures to share:

This bride, a native of Nigeria, and her fiancé arrived three hours early to be the first couple married.

The young…

The more matured …

Nothing was stopping these lovebirds

From one Mrs. Simmons, I congratulated the new Mrs. Simmons--no relations. Of course I had to take a picture, since Simmons wives were in the courthouse. Her reason for a courthouse wedding was to give her Midwest family a ceremony, and then have one later in Baltimore for other family members.

On this Weddings Wednesday, a friend of a bride-to-be passed out napkins to newlyweds as they left the courtroom. “I wanted them to have something special from this day,” she said.

How do you research your stories? Do you have this much fun? Look for my weekly recaps every Thursday in July.

I’m Pat Simmons, author, romantic at heart, and your Weddings Wednesday roaming reporter.  

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Download my newest release:JET: Back Story to LOVE LED BY THE SPIRIT for .99.

My May Author Newsletter 2016

I've been sending out newsletters since November 2006, and it's more than throwing some ideas together and buy my book links. My subscribers like my photos.  This was a heartwarming newsletter with exciting news to share.

http://eepurl.com/bYOwEr

Winning An Award

Tonight, I received breaking news from the annual Romance Slam Jam (RSJ) conference in Detroit, Michigan, that THE CONFESSION won Best Inspirational Romance of the Year. I've been nominated four times, and this makes my third win. This is more special.
THE CONFESSION was my first indie project to be nominated. Plus, the story shows couples in their 50s are still sexy. Congratulations to my other two sisters in the competition. When one wins, we all win, because Christian fiction/romance is about winning souls for Christ.

I'm happy, humble and thankful.

Post Your Own Review--Seriously

Recently, I had the opportunity to read two novellas. Both were good and I was about to post a quick review on Amazon, when Amazon prompted me (as the reader) to do a closer examination. While doing this, I (as an author) used the short questionaire to grade my own story that isn't released yet.
Is your next release so compelling, you would give it 5 stars in all categories? If not, hold the presses.

How many "I didn't see that coming" do you have in your book. Next, is the mood of the story. I write my Christian novels with a happy ending, so I keep my readers hopeful toward that goal. Now, what about the pace of the story. Do readers prefer a constant 85 miles per hour of action in a story? I like fast pace, a pause to breathe, then a pick up speed again. Lastly, the character development. I've learned to create my characters based on real friendship or acquaintances. While my husband and I were watching a movie, I mentioned to him that the secondary characters help make the story funny or sad.  For me, everything can't be about the heroine. So there you have it. Can you write your own review on your WIP? How many stars would you give it? If you're honest with yourself and admit you won't score high, it's time to bring in a developmental editor. I don't think I could have sold my first book, GUILTY OF LOVE, without one. And just because I've written dozens of books doesn't mean I don't need them from time to time, because every story is different.

Need a weekend read? Check out this review--not from me. Feel free to share: https://prismaticprospects.wordpress.com/2016/03/02/stopping-traffic-by-pat-simmons/

Book 5 in the Love at the Crossroads series is due out this month. Have you joined my waiting list for EVERY WOMAN NEEDS A PRAYING MAN to read an excerpt? Sign up now. 

http://goo.gl/forms/cXKBVxODaG

EVERY WOMAN NEEDS A PRAYING MAN Wait List

A few titles ago, I decided to experiment with a wait list vs. pre-orders for new releases. I placed about four of my indie titles on pre-order through Amazon and Smashwords. Of course, I did better on Amazon, but I noticed that despite the pre-orders I had gathered, the effort didn't push me to number one on opening day as I had hoped. As a matter of fact, I was farther down the ranking chart than if I hadn't gathered pre-orders. That's why I came up with a wait-list and guess what? I've placed higher in the ranking on opening day. Of course, this is just my own experiment. In my writing journey, I've learned in order to success, I'm constantly learning by trial and error. So for each new release, I create a new waiting list.

February 2016 Newsletter

My goal in 2016 is to keep my newsletters short. It didn't start off that way in 2006. Today, more people are reading their emails on their phones. Chances are short and sweet messages get read faster, so here is my February newsletter with four components: welcome, book news, something inspirational, and tour info. Check it out.http://us7.campaign-archive2.com/?u=ac7d2e583025fd8614a84cec5&id=9d9f161e5a

New Year, NEW GOALS

Hello all, last year, actually last month, I shared the many titles the Lord has blessed me to write. Yet, I still haven't reached the many thousands of readers who are looking for a clean, Christian-inspiring story. I decided to go on YouTube and do a welcome.  My commitment this year is too record two a month. I'll see how that goes. Now, back to writing my first release for 2016: EVERY WOMAN NEEDS A PRAYING MAN. 

Special Announcement: Emma Rodgers Award Nominee

I'm supper excited to announce that one of my indie projects, THE CONFESSION, has been nominated for the Best Inspirational Romance for 2015. This is my fourth nomination from the Romance Slam Jam committee and I'm a two-time winner. But what makes this so special is I didn't have the backing of a publisher. The story idea, plot and research was on me. My new editor was recommended by Kathryn Falk, founder of the RT Bookreviews Magazine. Plus, THE CONFESSION, is the eighth book in the Jamieson Legacy series. This nomination gives a boost to indie projects, proving stories can shine with the right editor. Again, I'm ecstatic to share this news in my writing journey, and I hope to encourage all authors with indie projects to give your book your best--always. If you haven't read this second chance at love story, get it today and you won't miss a beat by not reading the others.

http://goo.gl/NNgLlo