THIS WEEK'S CONTEST--YOU BE THE WRITER

"Oh, Say Can You See?" hits the stores this week, and we're beginning weekly promotions to spread the word, beginning with a new game called,

"YOU BE THE WRITER!"

I'll describe a character and the predicament they're in in the opening scenes of "Oh, Say Can You See?" You write a response in 50 words or less. Your reply will enter you into this week's drawing. Weekly winners will receive an autographed copy of any volume from the Free Men and Dreamers series. Weekly participants will also be entered into the grand prize drawing for a signature "Oh Say Can You See?" silver necklace commissioned especially for the Free Men and Dreamers observance of the bicentennial of the War of 1812 and the Star-Spangled Banner.

Additional entries can be earned by

1. Posting the trailer, on your blog, or

2. On your Facebook page

3. Post that you are, or become, a follower of this blog

4. Add "Oh, Say Can You See?" to your Goodreads "books-to-be-read" list.

Each entry must be posted separately below to be counted. The drawing will be held at midnight, Sunday, November 7th.

Here's the scenario:

"Oh, Say Can You See?" opens days after the dreadful burning of Washington. Many Americans lost their lives at the embarrassing loss at Bladensburg, the only battle to defend the Capital. Others were taken prisoner by the British.

Hannah Pearson is a young expectant mother awaiting the birth of her first child. It should be a joyous time in Hannah's life, but her joy is marred by her worry for her husband, Jed, who was wounded following the Battle of Bladensburg. Jed is now prisoner of war being held by the British, and Hannah has received no word of his situation or safety. Her only solace comes from her gift, her ability to receive spiritual promptings, which tells her Jed is still alive.

Hannah "talks" to Jed as if he were with her. In fifty words or less, what might Hannah be telling Jed at this time?

I look forward to reading what you think a woman in Hannah's situation might "say" to the husband she adores in such a situation. The people in this historic period weren't so very different from us. What what you say?