Welcome!

Thanks for visiting Romance Writers on the Journey, where I interview not-yet-published writers and debut authors. There are also articles of interest to those on the path to publication.

Scroll down to read the most recent post. Click on the page links above to learn About This Blog, see lists of my past and future guests, or view some helpful resources.

Don’t forget to look at the bottom of most posts, where you’ll find information on my current drawings. I’m holding three a month: on the 10th, the 20th, and the last day of the month.

On the first of every month, a lucky commenter will also win a First Sale Scrapbook.

Congratulations to Caroline Fyffe, who won the First Sale Scrapbook drawing for June. She left a comment for these guests: Jerrica Knight-Catania, Kayla Westra, Cara Slaughter, Kelly Ann Riley, Marlayne Giron and Kaylin McFarren.

Congratulations to Shelley, my July 10 drawing winner, who won a $10 gift card for Jamba Juice. She left a comment for my guest Kristina McMorris.

Joy on the Journey ~ Keli

 

Field Trip to the 2009 RWA Nationals D.C. Site

Are you busy packing for Nationals? Do you wonder what the conference site will be like?

If so, I have a treat for you. My awesome CP, Anne Barton, math teacher by day and writer of great Regency romance by night, lives in commuting distance of D.C. She’s agreed to take us on a Cyber tour of the conference site in one of my rare Saturday Special posts. So, come armed with your questions. Those Anne doesn’t answer in her article, you can ask her in a comment.

And I have a fun tote bag to give away, one ideal for romance writers.

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Field Trip!

(to the site of the 2009 RWA® National Conference in Washington D.C.)

by Anne Barton

Did everyone bring their signed permission slips and brown bag lunches?

No worries! Today I’ll be your very own, personal, investigative reporter. I scouted out the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, got the lay of the land, and asked the hard-hitting questions . . . like, where is the nearest Starbucks? If you’re making the trip to RWA National this year or just want a sneak peek at the conference site, read on.

Front of the hotel

Before we begin, I should warn you that getting directions from me is like asking Hansel and Gretel the best way out of the woods. I took photos and talked to a very nice and helpful concierge, but in case of emergency . . . follow the trail of breadcrumbs.

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Metro

DC’s Metrorail system (the “Metro”) has a station on the Marriott site–the Woodley Park stop on the Red Line. It’s 160 feet underground, and riding the escalator into the station will make you feel like you’re on the set of Journey to the Center of the Earth. If you’re scared of heights or don’t do escalators, you can take the elevator instead. The station is just a one-minute walk across a service road and up a sidewalk to the air-conditioned lobby of the hotel.

Metro escalator

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Lobbies and Lounges

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There are lots of places to hang out, chat, and reconnect with your writing friends. The Wardman Park’s website has a great photo tour with pictures that (unlike mine) are focused and don’t have thumbs in them.  If you’re looking for a place to meet that’s away from the fray, I’d suggest the garden terrace.  It’s quiet and beautiful, and if it’s a little warm, you can always cool off with a frozen beverage.

Garden terrace

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Garden

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Coffee and Cocktails

Brace yourself. I’m going to do this quickly, like pulling off a BandAid . . . there’s no Starbucks in the hotel. And Perry (the concierge) said the nearest one is five blocks east.  If you would rather not use a compass to find your latte, never fear. There is a coffeehouse on site–Illy’s—and a little deli called Woodley’s that also serves coffee.

There are three bars on the lobby level of the hotel as well. I’m partial to Harry’s Pub because it looks like, well, an old English pub. The lobby bar is conveniently located just off the lounge, and the Stone’s Throw Restaurant also has a bar area.

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Nearby

There are tons of restaurants within a block or two.  There’s a sushi bar, a couple of cafes, and French, Italian, Lebanese, Indian, and Afghan restaurants. Some of the closest fast food restaurants are McDonald’s and Chipotle (sorry, Keli, no Taco Bell  ). Best of all, after a long day of workshops and meetings and book signings, you can treat yourself to Baskin Robbins ice cream. On the same block as the hotel you can also find two banks, a CVS/pharmacy, and a dry cleaners. If you stop by the concierge desk and ask for Perry, he will totally hook you up with a map to your favorite spot.

Surrounding Neighborhood #1

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Surrounding Neighborhood #2

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Surrounding Neighborhood #3

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Quick Trips about Town

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Me (doing my best Lois Lane impression): Say I only have two hours before the limo picks me up for my swanky publisher’s party (yes, yes, this is obviously hypothetical).  What sights could I see in two hours?

Perry (not buying my scenario for one second): Your best bet is to hop on the Metro and go two stops to the Farragut North station. From there, you can see the White House. If you get back on the Metro and go another three stops to the Judiciary Square station, you can walk to the National Mall and see all the monuments and museums.

Me: Thank you for not recommending the zoo.

Perry (who clearly deserves a raise): You’re welcome.

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Odds and Ends

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The hotel has an outdoor heated pool and a fitness center. Public areas have wireless high-speed Internet access, and guest rooms are wired. The hotel’s gift shop has toiletries (in case–Heaven forbid–your luggage is lost) and a decent selection of snack foods. There’s also a FedEx/Kinko’s business center, should you want to ship some books home.  Parking is $32 a day. Ouch.

Fed Ex/Kinko's

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Checkout Time

So, that’s about it. Can you just see the ballroom brimming with authors (and books!) at the Literacy Autographing? And hear the lobby clicking with cute shoes? Me too. It’s going to be great.

Thanks for coming along on the virtual field trip. If you have questions, I’ll try to answer them. If I can’t, Perry said it’s OK to give him a call. 

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Thanks, Anne, for another of your awesome articles. Even though I’m unable to attend Nationals this year, I’ll now be able to picture those of you who are having a blast at this great venue.

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Leave a Comment for Three Chances to Win

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Saturday Special Drawing

I’m giving away a cool canvas bag. This sturdy tote would be just the thing to take to a writers’ conference. Not only is it romance themed, but it can hold plenty of books, papers and chocolate.

To enter the drawing, just leave a comment on this post by midnight Pacific time July 11th and enter your email address when prompted. (I don’t share your information or add it to any mailing lists.) On July 12th, I’ll post the winner’s name right here.

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My Regular Drawing

My next drawing will take place July 20th.

The winner will receive a vinyl lined bikini bag, which is just the thing to toss in your tote for a trip to the pool, beach or seaside resort.

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To enter the drawing, just leave a comment on any blog post by July 20th and enter your email address when prompted. (I don’t share your information or add it to any mailing lists.) On July 21st, I’ll post the winner’s name in the Welcome post at the top of the blog.

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You could also win a First Sale Scrapbook!

If you’d like to have a chance at winning a First Sale Scrapbook created by me, your blog hostess Keli Gwyn, leave a comment on any post between now and July 31st. Be sure to include your name and email address when prompted if you want to be entered in the drawing. (Your information will not be shared.) Click red link above to see samples of covers and pages.

On August 1st, I will choose one person who will have her/his choice of several covers on an 8×8 inch, twenty-page scrapbook in which s/he can document that long-awaited first sale. The pages will cover various milestones including The Call, signing the contract, receiving the first advance payment and holding your debut novel in your hands.

(No scrapbooking skills required. You just add your photos and journaling.)

 

Meet Debut Author Judi Fennell

Good things come in three for Judi Fennell. She finaled in three contests that garnered her a lot of attention and resulted in a three-book contract offer from Sourcebooks Casablanca.

Judi has been writing since she was a girl. She received her first writing award in a second grade Caldecott Medal contest. She penned her first romance in the ninth grade, which she still has. Readers’ Digest thrilled her with her very first publishing credit in April 1994. Ten years later, she joined Romance Writers of America® and began pursing publication as a novelist.

In September 2006, Judi’s manuscript, Beauty and The Best, was chosen by Dorchester Publishing and Romantic Times Book Review magazine as a finalist in their American Title III contest. In May 2007, the same book was chosen as a finalist in the Simon & Schuster/Gather.com First Chapters contest. In July 2008, her debut novel, In Over Her Head, made it to the top five in the First Chapters Romance contest.

Judi studied Spanish at Penn State, lived in Spain and traveled throughout that beautiful country. She now lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, kids and two cute cocker spaniels named Vixen and Raven. When she’s not writing, Judi likes to read, play Scrabble and have pool parties at the neighbors’.

Join me as we follow Judi’s writing journey from first story to first sale.
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Judi Embarks on Her Journey

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•When your youngest child started school, you returned to your dream of being a romance writer. What was your first book? Did you send it out into the world, or does it reside in a dark corner never to see the light of day?

The first book I wrote for publication didn’t start out being written for publication. It’s called Through The Leaded Glass and is a time travel medieval mystery. I wrote it because it just popped into my head. Once I’d written it, my husband went online and found RWA and my local chapter. His thought was, if I’d spent the time writing it, I should try to get it published. It’s done well in the contest circuit, so hopefully there will be some interest in the story – if time travels ever come back.
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•How many stories have you written since then? Does one stand out as a favorite?

I wrote two others before selling, Cinda Bella and Beauty and The Best, and have several others in various stages of completion. I love all of my stories, and just like my kids, I can’t pick a favorite.
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•I like your tagline, “fairy tales with a twist.” What led you to write fantasies?

My childhood imaginary friend was Casper the Friendly Ghost so I guess you can say I’ve always loved fantasy stories. As I grew older, I read every Dr. Doolittle book, every Oz book, and whatever fairy tales I could get my hands on. And I utterly loved I Dream of Jeannie and Bewitched, not to mention a whole host of Saturday morning shows (Shazam, Isis, Wonder Woman, H.R. Pufnstuf). I’ve never lost the fascination with otherworldly stories.
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Judi’s Process

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•You have a family, are president of your local RWA® chapter and are now a published author under deadline. How do you fit writing into your schedule? Do you hibernate in a home office, carve out alone time in a coffee house, or labor late into the night when everyone else is in bed?

I’m lucky that I don’t have a full time job other than writing, so once the kids are off to school I have the time. When it comes to deadline time, I do bury myself at my local coffee shop or favorite bookstore because there are a lot of distractions at home.
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•What inspires you? Something you’ve read? A character who grabs your attention and won’t stop chatting? A particular setting?

You know, it’s not just one thing. I can’t really say where or how the ideas arrive. Sometimes it’s the character, sometimes it’s a scene, sometimes an opening line. With In Over Her Head, it was the fact that I wanted to write a twist on The Little Mermaid because I’d written two other fairy tale twists (and had a third almost completed).
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•I love puns and other clever ways of playing with words and understand you do too. What are some fun uses of language that you’ve used in your books?

Oh, I had a blast tweaking our common phrases into “sea-speak.” Mers aren’t going to say “task at hand.” They’d say “task at fin.” A pelican wishing a Mer good luck is going to say, “May the forecast be with you.” Things like that. When Erica wakes up under the sea and she’s having a hard time believing what Reel is telling her, instead of telling her to “take a seat” he tells her to “rest on the bottom.” “Hit below the belt line” becomes “hit below the scale line,” and when Vincent the shark tells Reel that he’s got his pick of every fish in the sea, he actually means it literally.

One of the best parts of the First Chapters Romance contest (where I had to post my chapters online) was the puns readers came back with – “You hooked me!” “You reeled me in!” etc. I hadn’t anticipated that and just totally enjoyed the feedback. And the puns keep on coming!
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Mountaintop Experiences

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You’ve experienced a number of highs in your writing career, beginning with that win back in elementary school. Once you began seriously pursuing publication as a romance novelist, you finaled in one major contest after another. I’m impressed!
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•What was it like to be an American Title III finalist? What did the experience teach you?

American Title was crazy! We got the call that we were a finalist and immediately had to get to work preparing each month’s entry. I think we had a week. Once that was done, we (the contestants) hit the ground running. We called it Promo Bootcamp 101 – talk about jumping in with both feet! We had to think outside the box and come up with effective ways to get people to vote for us. What was fabulous about the whole experience was the marketing I then had in place for when I sold.
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•A year later, you scored another big final in Simon & Schuster/Gather.com First Chapters contest. Your entry was chosen out of 2,600 entries as one of the top 20–and the only romance. What was your reaction when you heard the news?

That day was surreal. Sur-real. 2600+ entries and Beauty and The Best was the only romance to make the Top 20. I knew if I made it, I’d have to defend both the work and my genre. And I did, and it started immediately after the Top 20 list was announced, so I didn’t get to enjoy the fact that I had a chance to win the contest (though I figured a romance wouldn’t win an all-genre-fiction contest, but still…).

But it was more exposure. More getting my name out. That “no publicity is bad publicity”? Yep. People knew who I was. Matter of fact, when Gather.com announced that they were having the First Chapters Romance contest, I hadn’t planned on entering, until over 100 people I didn’t know (other than having seen their names online) emailed me, asking me to enter. When you have that happening, you better enter! LOL. So I did.
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•You continued to meet with success. In 2008, you repeated as a finalist in the First Chapters contest, this time making it to the top five. This marked a turning point in your career and led to The Call. What happened and how did you respond?

I didn’t win the contest – I haven’t won any of the three online contests I finalled in which just goes to prove that winning isn’t everything. While I didn’t win, it did bring In Over Her Head to Sue Grimshaw’s (Romance Buyer for Borders Books) attention. (She was one of the final judges and got to read the book.) She gave me some advice on making it sell-able and talked it up to editors for me.

As for The Call – I revised the manuscript, and my agent sent it to my editor, Deb Werksman at Sourcebooks. I saw Deb at a luncheon and mentioned that the story was part of a series. When she heard that, she asked to see the partials for the other stories and I sent them off to her. Within a month we had an agreement.

As for what I did – I yelped. She sent me an email from the editorial meeting (she couldn’t, obviously, call me right then), so I yelped, cried, called a bunch of people then grabbed a book and plopped myself on the sofa to read. Seems kind of anti-climatic, right? I thought so, too, until I realized that it was appropro. I mean, I was about to become part of the world of published authors, so why not celebrate by “partaking” of that world.
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•Congrats on that contract for three books. How exciting. And now the first of the trilogy is on the shelves. What have been the highest highs? Seeing your cover for the first time? Holding your book in your hands? Reading the rave reviews?

Yes, yes, and yes. Honestly, every moment of this has been a blast! You visualize it for so long, then they send you your cover and, wow! There it is! Then you get a copy of your ARC and it’s a real book. And then you get your author copies of the final product and it’s just an indescribable moment. One of the best feelings in the world.
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In the Valley

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•Despite all the high points in your journey, a number of years and a lot of hard work went into making you an overnight success. Even someone with a track record like yours must have down times, days with things didn’t come together and bouts of doubts. How do you deal with the low spots? What’s your best advice for someone battling discouragement?

Dealing with the low spots – have a writer friend who gets it. Have several writer friends who get it. Talk to them. I belong to the PASIC chapter, which has the most generous authors! It’s nice to see that whatever doubts, downers, etc. I’ve got, I’m not the only one. I highly recommend having a writer support system, people who get it.
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Partners on Judi’s Journey

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•You have an incredible number of writer friends. When I did my research in order to write your questions, I typed “Judi Fennell” into my Google search bar and got over 13,000 hits. Something tells me you’re not the stereotypical introverted writer. Of all the amazing, talented authors and writers you know, which have touched your life in special ways?

Heh. No, I’m not a wallflower. The funny thing is, I’ve always known a lot of people, but when I met fellow AT3er Jenny Gardiner, I found someone who knows more people than me!

Who have touched me: Jill Barnett for writing my favorite book ever, Bewitching. Jude Devereaux for A Knight in Shining Armor (see a trend here?). My critique partner, Stephanie Julian, for giving me my first feedback. Tough love that was right on. And you know who else? Everyone who put pen to paper and wrote the stories that I’ve grown up reading.
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•Not only are you well connected, but you give a great deal back to the writing community. I met you through your famous Golden Heart®/RITA® announcement party this year when you posted the finalists in the contests as you learned about them. How did your announcement day galas come about? Do you plan to keep up the tradition now that you’re published?

I utterly LOVE doing the Golden Heart/RITA announcement parties! It came about as a fluke. In 2008, people were asking on the loops if anyone was fielding the names and no one was, so I figured, why not? I sent around an email at 7:30 that morning (it helped being on the chapter presidents’ loop) and threw together a quick blog post, and the next thing I knew, people started showing up. By the thousands. It was SO much fun! And since I’d entered the Golden Heart, it kept me so busy I didn’t have time to wonder if I was getting The Call. I didn’t, but I had such a good time, it didn’t matter. (Okay, it would have been better if I’d gotten The Call, but still, amazing time!)

This year, I didn’t have a pony in the race but I still wanted to have the party, so I did it again. RWA posted the names as all nominees in each category were notified but no one could comment on that list, so they popped over to mine. I had several agents tweeting about it, people emailing me left and right…

Oh, yeah, I’m doing it again next year. It was so much fun getting people’s “Me! I got nominated!” emails. So definitely look for another party on my blog in March 2010. And this time, I will have two ponies in the race and be just as anxious as everyone else.
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Judi’s Journey Continues

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•Sourcebooks Casablanca purchased your trilogy. The first of the three, In Over Her Head, is on the shelves. The second, Wild Blue Under, is due out in November, and the third, Catch of a Lifetime, has a February 2010 release date. What is the status of the second two titles? Have you completed them? Have you received your requests for edits?

Both books are in. I have copy edits for Catch of a Lifetime, and the final proof for Wild Blue Under will arrive when I get back from National.
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•What can your readers look forward to next? More books about hunky Mer men, or do you plan to put a new twist to a different fairy tale?

I’ve got a proposal in, but can’t speak to it until I hear. But as I said to my editor when we were last together, “it’s a big ocean out there.” And there are two siblings left in the Tritone family, but I also have dozens of other ideas, so we’ll see.
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Your First Book

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•Please tell us a little about your debut novel, In Over Her Head.

It’s a story I would love to read, about a woman, Erica, who owns a marina but is terrified of the ocean – and what happens to her when she’s forced into the water at gunpoint, accidentally gets shot and ends up under the water, and saved from drowning by a Mer man named Reel. The Oceanic Council demands she and Reel recover the diamonds and they have to outsmart a sea monster to do so. Only the sea monster isn’t giving up so easily. Think The Little Mermaid, Splash with a dash of Indiana Jones thrown in. Danger, adventure and romance – all the elements I love in a story.
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•And would you give us a taste of what the next two books are about too?

Wild Blue Under is the story about Reel’s brother, Rod, who is the heir to the Mer throne, but he can’t claim that throne until he fulfills The Prophecy – he has to bring the lost Mer princess back to Atlantis. Problem is, Valerie lives in Kansas, doesn’t know she’s half-Mer and thinks she’s allergic to the ocean. Toss in dive-bombing albatrosses, seagulls with attitude and a pretender to the throne, and you’ll see it’s not your standard romance.

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Catch of a Lifetime continues the Tritones’ story, with sister Angel. Angel is a Mer princess determined to earn the position of Director of the Mer/Human Coalition, but Rod, her brother the High Councilman, won’t let her even apply for the job. So she sets out to prove herself worthy, only to have to out-swim a hammerhead bent on a Mer meal and ends up on a Human’s boat.

Logan Hardington has a surprise six-year-old son show up who wants a mermaid for his birthday. Right. Like mermaids are real. Besides, the last thing Logan needs after his flighty, irresponsible, obviously birth-control-challenged ex-girlfriend, is anything out of the ordinary. Having grown up in the circus and run away from it, all Logan wants is Normal. So when a naked woman shows up on his boat and his son demands she be his babysitter, Logan is determined that Normal is what his son’s life will be. Problem is, he can’t decide if Angel is just another fish in the sea or the Catch of a Lifetime.
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•And what’s this I hear about three romantic giveaways your readers can win?

I’ve partnered with the Atlantis Inn and Hibiscus House B&Bs to offer readers the chance to win one of three romantic beach getaways, two in Ocean City, NJ and one in West Palm Beach, FL. The first winner was drawn June 30, to celebrate the release of In Over Her Head, and her name is Kate Hackett of Belcamp, MD. The next drawing is November 30 to celebrate the release of Wild Blue Under, and the third is February 28, 2010 for Catch of a Lifetime. All information and rules are on my website, www.JudiFennell.com.
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Five Fun Facts About Judi

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~ I’ve twirled batons since third grade, and my junior year squad was the PA State Champs. I twirled sabres in indoor color guard at Penn State.

~ My favorite animal is the sea otter. One of my favorite books from my childhood is The True Story of Okee The Otter and I’ve always wanted to have one as a pet. Sadly, that’s not permissible, nor is it a good idea.

~ My family drove across the country in July, 1979 – starting the first day of gas rationing – and I will never forget that trip. What a wonderful experience – and surprisingly, my siblings and I didn’t fight at all.

~ I was a Little Sister at Sigma Chi fraternity at Penn State.

~ I love to sing but only have a range of about three notes. So I don’t sing. At least in public. Oh, wait. Yes, I do. When I was hypnotized at our Senior Dinner in high school, I sang the theme from Romeo and Juliet in front of the whole class. The interesting thing is, hypnotism apparently makes me sing an octave higher than I normally do and on key. So, no, I didn’t embarrass myself with a badly off-ley rendition, just the fact that I sang in front of everyone. LOL
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Judi’s Question for You

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•I’ve enjoyed having you as my guest, Judi. Thanks for your great answers to my questions. And now it’s your turn to ask a question of your visitors. What would you like to know?

Thanks so much for having me, Keli!

As to my question: the proverbial “they” say that there’s something of us in our stories. In In Over Her Head, Erica has my irrational fear of the ocean (I saw JAWS at an early age and it left a mark), so there’s definitely a part of me in that story. What part of you is in your story?
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Learn More About Judi

Visit her Web site: http://www.judifennell.com

Visit her blog: http://judifennell.wordpress.com

Friend her on Facebook: JudiFennell

Follow her on Twitter:  JudiFennell
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Leave a Comment for Three Chances to Win

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Judi’s Drawing

Judi generously offered to give away an adorable mermaid cell phone charm.

I’ll choose a winner from all those who leave a comment for Judi on her post by midnight July 9th. I’ll contact the winner and relay her/his information to Judi, who will send the charm. I’ll publish the winner’s name here on July 10th.

Congratulations to Wanda, who won the adorable charm Judi gave away.

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.My Regular Drawing
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My next drawing will take place July 10th. The winner will receive a $10 gift card for Jamba Juice.

To enter the drawing, just leave a comment on any blog post by July 10th and enter your email address when prompted. (I don’t share your information or add it to any mailing lists.) On July 11th, I’ll post the winner’s name in the Welcome post at the top of the blog.
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You could also win a First Sale Scrapbook!
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If you’d like to have a chance at winning a First Sale Scrapbook created by me, your blog hostess Keli Gwyn, leave a comment on any post between now and July 31st. Be sure to include your name and email address when prompted if you want to be entered in the drawing. (Your information will not be shared.) Click red link above to see samples of covers and pages.

On August 1st, I will choose one person who will have her/his choice of several covers on an 8×8 inch, twenty-page scrapbook in which s/he can document that long-awaited first sale. The pages will cover various milestones including The Call, signing the contract, receiving the first advance payment and holding your debut novel in your hands.

(No scrapbooking skills required. You just add your photos and journaling.)

 

Debut Author Tammy Barley Returns

Tammy Barley visited last December (link) soon after receiving a three-book contract offer for her Western Inspirationals from Whitaker House, and I’m happy to have her back to share more of her journey. Her debut novel, Love’s Rescue, is now available from the major booksellers.

Tammy shares the family lines of James Butler “Wild Bill” Hickok, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Emily Dickenson. With that background, she says it’s no wonder she writes Western Romance.

Tammy has lived in 27 cities and towns in 8 states, including the South and the West. At one point, she rode horseback halfway across Arizona with her mom and 22 other adventure enthusiasts. On one freezing morning, she learned to appreciate cowboy coffee, which makes an appearance in her first book.

Tammy learned what pure, joyous laughter is when, during her second pregnancy, she found out she’d never be able to have any more children, but then discovered she was pregnant with twins.

Join me as we learn about more about Tammy and her debut novel.

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Tammy Barley

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Tammy’s Journey Begins

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•Please recap for us how you got started writing and what led you to create your debut novel, Love’s Rescue (formerly On the Wings of the Storm).

Hi, Keli. It’s wonderful to be here again. Thank you so much for having me.

In grade school I was the one who actually tingled with excitement when the teacher assigned us a story to write (everyone else groaned). In high school, I was the only one who understood Shakespeare’s writing and humor. I’d laugh so hard tears ran down my cheeks while everyone else in class stared at me blankly.

After high school, one night when I felt I had no direction, I asked God what I was supposed to do with my life. I heard his voice beside me. He said, “You’re supposed to be a writer.” I haven’t experienced anything like that before or since, but he’s opened doors every step along my path, and I’m curious to see where he plans for this path to go. (Since then, I’ve also become fascinated with miracles and the unique ways God touches people’s lives.)

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From First Sale to First Book

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You received an email from your agent, Terry Burns of the Hartline Literary Agency, with news of your first sale just less than a year ago. That event changed your life in many ways, I’m sure.

•What have you been doing to get the word out since you signed the contract?

I’ve added a book trailer to my Web site, which has received very positive reviews. (My 13-yr-old son, a pianist, chose the music—do I sound like a proud mama or what?) I’ve participated in several interviews (very enjoyable) and connected with many wonderful folks at ShoutLife.

I’m advertising everywhere I find large groups of Christian women online. The invitation to my book launch will reach 50,000 people, minimum. Even if only a miniscule percentage comes, it should be a good turnout. With all the general advertising for the book, word should reach half a million Christians in the next six months.

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•A book launch, hmm? Please tell us what your visitors can look forward to.

I’m throwing a huge nineteenth-century themed book launch July 18 that involves the folks of my church and all of northeastern Illinois. If any of you live nearby, I’d love to see you there—for all the information, simply click the Bookshelf page of my Web site; the invitation is 2/3 down.

I’ll be signing my book, of course, while wearing an 1860s Costume (six layers, including underskirts, petticoat, and pantalettes—with the summer heat I think I’ll park my almost 5-foot-in-diameter hoop skirt over an electric fan).

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This is me in the costume I wear for book signings and appearances, which Jess, the heroine of Love’s Rescue, wears in book two.

There will be historical and hands-on exhibits featuring the historic West, Civil War, Western Native Americans, and the Shaker people. Guests are encouraged to come in Old West, Civil War or 1860s historical clothing. The person with the best costume wins a door prize!

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•You have a BIG drawing as well. What’s the prize, and how can a person enter?

I’m giving away a one-week vacation for two to a Western guest ranch resort in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado (details on the Bookshelf page of my Web site). Anyone who reads the book and answers the ten questions (yep, on my Bookshelf page) correctly, is entered into the drawing. I will draw the winner on Valentine’s Day 2010. (The book’s a romance, after all. ) The winner and a guest get to pack and go to a Colorado guest ranch resort.

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•Wow! You’ve got some great promo underway. Sounds like you’ve been busy and have learned a great deal. What advice would you offer not-yet-published writers about things they can do now to help them prepare for the day they get The Call?

Establish a huge platform, set aside finances for advertising and promotion when the time comes, and plan a book launch party that will draw a lot of attention, including the media’s.

Funny thing—I always dreaded promotion (I was born shy), but it’s true what authors say about promotion—it’s addictive and fun! I love getting my book in front of people and watching to see what God will do with it. An even funnier thing—I’m not nearly as shy when I talk in front of people now. God’s people are truly supportive and enthusiastic, which makes all the difference.

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A Warm Welcome

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•Love’s Rescue has begun to receive reviews. I saw some five stars given on the bookseller’s sites. What are some of your favorite comments so far?

Every one of them. I worked on this book for years, and during that time I only wanted to accomplish two things: 1) to enable readers to escape for a while that they may enjoy being immersed another time and place, and 2) to bring hearts a little closer to God.

The reviews show that the book provides enjoyable escape. I love that. As for the other, I will feel complete the day someone walks up to me and says, “This book really touched my heart.”

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Tammy’s Debut Novel . . . and Beyond

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•Please tell us about Love’s Rescue.

Here’s the nifty blurb from Whitaker House:

A Dividing Conflict

In 1863, the War Between the States is dividing more than a nation. To escape the conflict, Jessica Hale and her family flee their Kentucky home and head for Nevada Territory. Her brother, Ambrose, committed to the Confederates, rejoins the Kentucky militia and is disowned by his father. But the worst is yet to come.

A Heroic Kidnapper

When Unionists presume the family to be Confederate sympathizers, they set a devastating fire to their home. All alone and then “kidnapped” by cattleman Jake Bennett, Jessica is taken to a ranch deep in the Sierra Nevada wilderness. Can she overcome her resentment toward Jake for failing to save her family?

The Depths of Love

When Jake launches a plan to help Jessica’s brother escape from prison camp, she sees him for the honest, good-hearted Christian man that he is and now knows the depth of his love for her. Through the lingering smoke and smoldering ashes from her ruined home and murdered family, will Jessica see a future with Jake?

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•What can your readers look forward to next?

In book two, Hope’s Promise, Jake and Jessica Bennett learn there was more to her parents’ deaths than they knew, and both the ranch and Jessica are in danger. Now they must quickly find the murderer . . . and discover for themselves how far they will go for love.

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Five Fun Facts About Tammy

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~ I danced down Hollywood Boulevard with a mime in a tux.

~ In a previous career, I was a travel coordinator for Hollywood celebrities (actors, producers, directors) and helped plan the production accommodations for the movie Flipper starring Paul Hogan and Elijah Wood. (Yep, that was a while ago.)

~ In another previous career, I taught ballroom dance at a Fred Astaire dance studio (one of the best times of my life).

~ I want to travel into space to see just how many stars are out there.

~ I want to be caretaker of God’s strawberry farm in heaven (and chief sampler).

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Tammy’s Question for You

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•I’ve enjoyed having you as my guest, Tammy. Thanks for your great answers to my questions. And now it’s your turn to ask a question of your visitors. What would you like to know?

As I mentioned, I love hearing stories of miracles and unique ways God has touched people. (An angel visited me in a hospital once when I was near death.) Has God done a miracle just for you that you knew came from God? What was it?

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Learn More About Tammy

Visit her Web site: http://www.tammybarley.com

Visit her at ShoutLife: TammyBarley

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Leave a Comment for Two Chances to Win

My Regular Drawing

My next drawing will take place July 10th.

The winner will receive a $10 gift card for Jamba Juice.

To enter the drawing, just leave a comment on any blog post by July 10th and enter your email address when prompted. (I don’t share your information or add it to any mailing lists.) On July 11th, I’ll post the winner’s name in the Welcome post at the top of the blog.

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You could also win a First Sale Scrapbook!

If you’d like to have a chance at winning a First Sale Scrapbook created by me, your blog hostess Keli Gwyn, leave a comment on any post between now and July 31st. Be sure to include your name and email address when prompted if you want to be entered in the drawing. (Your information will not be shared.) Click red link above to see samples of covers and pages.

On August 1st, I will choose one person who will have her/his choice of several covers on an 8×8 inch, twenty-page scrapbook in which s/he can document that long-awaited first sale. The pages will cover various milestones including The Call, signing the contract, receiving the first advance payment and holding your debut novel in your hands.

(No scrapbooking skills required. You just add your photos and journaling.)

 

Meet Debut Author Kristina McMorris

Award-winning author Kristina McMorris sold her 2007 Golden Heart® finaling manuscript to Kensington in a two-book deal. Letters from Home (formerly Between the Lines) is a love story set against the emotionally charged backdrop of WWII, which has already begun to garner stellar reviews well before its tentative release date of Valentine’s Day 2011.

Kristina is creativity personified. She’s an actress, TV show host, entrepreneur, and public relations whiz, as well as an author. She hosted a children’s TV show for five years beginning at age nine, had a stint on Days of Our Lives and was in a comedy sketch with Jay Leno on The Tonight Show during college, and was the weekly host of the WB’s show Weddings Portland Style from 2001-2008. After earning a Marketing degree in three years at Pepperdine University, she founded her own company, Best Kept Secret, a full-service wedding and event planning business. She’s served as Director of Public Relations and Special Events for her family’s 18-company conglomerate, the Yoshida Group (perhaps most recognized for its line of Mr. Yoshida’s Gourmet Sauces) for over a decade.

The Pacific Northwest is home to Kristina, her husband, a Notre Dame/Green Bay Packer fan, and their two young sons. Having spent a year in Florence during college, she dreams of living in Italy in a villa purchased with her millions of royalty dollars, but for now her family is content to dine at Olive Garden. When Kristina’s not working, writing or caring for her family, she likes to swing dance and travel. And every now and then, this dynamo actually sleeps.

Join me as we follow Kristina’s writing journey from first story to first sale.
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Kristina Embarks on Her Journey

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•You didn’t begin writing novels until three years ago, but you’d been published before. Please share your previous writing background.

While running my event planning business, I quickly realized I could fill an entire book with entertaining stories of what NOT to do at a wedding. (Ooh, an idea for a future novel, perhaps?) After coordinating fourteen weddings per summer, I had accumulated a hefty amount of information that I felt could be helpful to many brides. I was able to pass along some matrimonial tips by working as a contributing writer to Portland Bride & Groom magazine.

My next literary venture came a few years later, when my baking/cooking-goddess grandmother asked if, in my “free time,” I could type out her favorite recipes and make copies for all the grandkids. “Sure,” I replied. After all, how many recipes could there be? Um….try over a thousand. Well, together we eliminated half and, as a Christmas gift for her, I designed a snazzy cover, composed a bio with vintage photos, and had the book spiral bound.

One thing led to another, and Grandma was bewildered to discover that her “little” cookbook was being sold at several retail stores, including Borders (proceeds benefiting her favorite charity), and she was slated for numerous cooking shows, as well as TV and print interviews. Thank goodness she had a healthy heart! (She hasn’t asked me for any favors since then, strangely enough.)

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Kristina McMorris (rt) and her Grandma Jean on KATU/ABC

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•Pregnancy can cause a woman to take a good look at her life. You did just that while carrying your second child. What happened during that hormone-induced exploration that led you to begin crafting your first story?

Clearly hormones had caused a glitch in my sanity, because I decided that being four-months pregnant was a fabulous time to start writing my first novel—and an historical one at that! Seeing as I wasn’t even a reader let alone a writer of fiction, this apparently made perfect sense in my scrambled prego brain. And why not? Getting published is such an easy feat (not). But I’m delighted I was so blissfully ignorant. Had I known what I was in for, I’m certain I would have run the other way screaming.

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•I understand your grandparents’ love story sparked the idea for Letters from Home. What was it from their experience that grabbed you and begged to be turned into a work of historical fiction?

While interviewing my grandmother for the biographical section of her cookbook, she told me about her courtship with my late grandfather. Essentially they exchanged letters throughout his WWII Navy service, and after only meeting in person twice, they got married while he was on leave. Nearly fifty years later, he passed away at home, with his sweetheart by his side. Needless to say, I was deeply moved by their romantic story. And that was before she asked if I wanted to actually SEE the letters.

No one in the family knew she had kept their beautiful stack of yellowed and wrinkled correspondence. Together we began to read his heartwarming pages, and not long after, that dreaded (or miraculous, depending on how you view it) “what if” question came to me: What if…a couple fell in love solely through letters during WWII, but the girl that the soldier was writing to was not the girl writing back? Just as in Cyrano de Bergerac, it begs the questions: Which person would you love? And more importantly, was it all a deception, or was any of it real?
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Kristina’s Process

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•We 2008 GH finalists, who proudly call ourselves the Pixie Chicks, know of your incredible gift of organization. I’m guessing your sense of order and attention to detail indicates a tendency to be a plotter as opposed to a pantser. Am I right? Do you create character sketches, perform oodles of research and have a color-coded outline before you begin writing?

Put it this way, I’ve never understood the point of a pregnant woman waiting to find out if she’s having a girl or boy. LOL. I suppose I find comfort in knowing the basics of what I’m getting into (as in, opting for baseball-covered sheets vs. the pink floral ones), yet am fully prepared to adjust and enjoy the surprises that come along. So to directly answer your question, I am certainly more of a plotter than a pantster, but fall somewhere in the medium range.

Because of my acting background, stories in my head play out like a full-length movie. So I write a sentence or two summarizing the gist of each scene/chapter I “see,” and since I write four to five POVs in each book, I have recently succumbed to the use of mini multi-colored Post-its. (Lord help me…) I found this to be very helpful in keeping the POVs rotating evenly while sticking with an accurate war timeline.

Other than that, I do loads and loads and, yes, loads of research, but the characters tend to pop into my head pretty well formed. (In other words, I’m just too lazy to write lengthy pages of detailed character sketches!)
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Mountaintop Experiences

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Success seems to come easily to you, Kristina. You’ve achieved it in the acting world, business world and now in the publishing world. And yet, you’re so humble. I’m duly impressed and pleased as can be for you.

•You’ve written two stories and racked up numerous contest wins, twenty in all. Which have stood out, and why?

First off, thank you so much for the kind words!

Regarding contests…I would have to say, my very first final was the most exciting, for obvious reasons. But the one that meant the most to me was when an excerpt of Letters from Home took first place in a large mainstream fiction contest sans categories. This one was particularly rewarding because at the awards banquet, famed screenwriter Mike Rich (The Rookie, Finding Forrester) just happened to be the keynote speaker. He had been generous enough to provide me with an endorsement blurb for an earlier version of the ms. the year before, so to be able to share that evening with him (and assure him the book really, truly had gotten better since he’d read it and he really, truly wouldn’t regret putting his stamp of approval on it) was even better than accepting the actual award!

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•On March 25, 2007, you received a special phone call from Romance Writers of America® with the news that Letters from Home was a Golden Heart finalist. What was your first thought? And after you hung up did you break into song, do a happy dance or stare at the phone in disbelief?

Oh, boy. I’m smiling at the memory—that is, of recalling my utter ignorance back then. Once the woman on the phone introduced herself as being with RWA®, I immediately thought, Did I forget to pay my dues? She then told me I was a GH finalist (joy filling her voice) and asked me if I was going to be at Nationals, to which I thought, What Nationals?! Diplomatically, I answered, “Unfortunately, no. But I’ll be jealous of everyone attending.” (Disappointment, or shock, abruptly replaced the joy in her voice.)

Not until three chapter mates sent me lengthy emails (enumerating all the reasons why I would be loony-tunes not to go) did I realize the GH was, um, sort of a big deal. In fact, I recall one of the persuading lines to be, “Girl, it’s the freakin’ Oscars! You have to go! Then again…if you don’t go, could I accept the award on your behalf if you win?” Within days, I had booked my airline ticket.

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Kristina with her mom, Kaylin McFarren

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•Last year you received a second call from RWA informing you that once again you were a Golden Heart finalist. Was the thrill as great?

I admit, the second time around I had figured out what was at stake, and given that I had attended my very first Nationals as GH royalty, I didn’t really relish the idea of, say, being bumped from First Class to Coach. LOL. In contrast to my oblivious nonchalance during my call the year before, my excitement level was definitely in the appropriate range that second year.
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•Another call eclipsed even these two. The Call. Your agent, Jenn Shober, shared the BIG news that John Scognamiglio, editor-in-chief from Kensington, had offered you a two-book deal. You’d sold the first novel you ever wrote! What was your reaction? Please share your Call Story complete with all the sensory details we writers enjoy.

My sale story actually came in two waves. Less than a week after my agent, the lovely Jenn Schober, had sent out my submissions, she called to tell me that John had read it over the weekend, loved it, and was taking it to acquisitions. Naturally, I was excited, but as a product of my Hollywood background, I’ve learned to celebrate only when the deal is concrete…and even then, not to pop champagne until the night of the premiere.

Anyhow, after seven very, very long weeks of waiting for a response, Jenn called to say that due to questions on marketing a WWII novel, my poor little manuscript had endured several additional reads, and thankfully, in the end, had passed the test. Going against my Hollywood know-how, I did literally squee on the phone with my agent. When I called my mom to share the news, she answered in a frustratingly calm tone, “Oh, honey, that’s wonderful. See, I always knew it would sell.” That’s what I get for living in a family of overachievers. Ha!
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Partners on Kristina’s Journey

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•Many have already read and enjoyed Letters from Home, but there were a special few who got to see it in all its rough draft glory–your CPs and head cheerleaders. What were the greatest insights and contributions you received from them?

Two of my greatest assets have been my tough CPs and unyielding cheerleaders—my husband and my author-mother, Kaylin McFarren, topping the list. My mom’s constant belief in my story and writing skills (even when they, um, weren’t all that skillful) has been invaluable! Without confidence that what you’re working on is worthwhile, I don’t know how any author perseveres, particularly by the fifth round of revisions. And my husband’s knack for calling out any lack of truth to a character or scene has been incredibly insightful.
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Kristina’s Journey Continues

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•Kensington purchased two books, so you must be hard at work on the second. Is it a sequel to Letters from Home or something brand new?

It’s another WWII love story, though completely unrelated to Letters from Home—in fact, it relies very little on the research I compiled for the first book. (Apparently I enjoy torturing myself.)

In what is tentatively titled The Sparrow’s Song, a Caucasian aspiring violinist secretly elopes with her Japanese-American boyfriend—defying societal molds and families’ wishes—the night before Pearl Harbor is bombed.

It’s a complex story told from four interwoven points of view (my brain is tired just thinking about it), featuring love, loss, historical surprises, and even a few explosions for those male readers out there! Given my Japanese heritage, I’m looking forward to sharing a unique perspective and story.
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•Do you have any other projects in the works?

No rest for the wicked, right? My agent is currently pursuing film option avenues for Letters from Home and is about to start submitting a children’s picture book ms. for me. My fingers are crossed equally for both, as I would love for my kids to be able to read a book Mommy wrote, without having to wait another ten years. (Actually, with my novels’ love scenes, tame though they are, make that twenty years!)
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Your First Book

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•Please tell us a little about your debut novel, Letters from Home.

Set against the emotionally charged backdrop of WWII, poetic university student Liz Stephens falls deeply in love through a yearlong letter exchange with infantryman Morgan McClain. Equally enamored, the Midwest soldier stationed in Europe relies solely on their correspondence to survive the gruesome realities of war. Yet between the scrawled lines of familial hardships and heartrending tragedies lies the one secret Liz must keep, or risk losing everyone she holds dear. As the nation nears victory, and its troops return home, each will learn the price of freedom while uncovering the deceptions of love and war.
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Five Fun Facts About Kristina

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~ During my college years, I became friends with such celebrities as Kenny G, John McGinley and Woody Harrelson (yet no tell-all book is planned in my future).

~ At around age six, I told my parents that when I grew up I was going to be either a nun or belly dancer. The reason behind both? Because I loved their outfits.

~ I am on a constant mission to find the world’s best Tiramisu—and believe me, I’ve sampled a lot of them across the globe. Even after living in Italy for a year, I can’t help but crown (don’t laugh) Olive Garden as the reigning champ. But California Pizza Kitchen is a close runner-up. (I’m not kidding.)

~ I’m a firm believer that if you don’t eat the last bite of a plated dessert, the calories you consumed don’t count. And if you get someone else to eat that last bite for you, those calories are reduced from your own tally.

~ I spent my childhood to teen years traveling in a dance performing troupe, and to this day, I still love an occasional evening of swing dancing with my hubby or dropping in on a local hip-hop class. Thus, in light of my maiden name, Yoshida, feel free to call me “K.Yo” (as in the Asian version of J.Lo…a wedding planner too, right?).
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Kristina’s Question for You

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•I’ve enjoyed having you as my guest, Kristina. Thanks for your great answers to my questions. And now it’s your turn to ask a question of your visitors. What would you like to know?

I’m curious if anyone here has ever had their heart touched by their grandparent’s or other elderly relative’s story. They all have such amazing tales to tell, if only someone bothers to ask. Please share a special memory involving a loved one of the Greatest Generation.
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Learn More About Kristina

Visit her Web site: http://www.kristinamcmorris.com

Friend her on Facebook: Kristina McMorris
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Leave a Comment for Two Chances to Win

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My Regular Drawing

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My next drawing will take place July 10th.

The winner will receive a $10 gift card for Jamba Juice.

To enter the drawing, just leave a comment on any blog post by July 10th and enter your email address when prompted. (I don’t share your information or add it to any mailing lists.) On July 11th, I’ll post the winner’s name in the Welcome post at the top of the blog.
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You could also win a First Sale Scrapbook!

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If you’d like to have a chance at winning a First Sale Scrapbook created by me, your blog hostess Keli Gwyn, leave a comment on any post between now and July 31st. Be sure to include your name and email address when prompted if you want to be entered in the drawing. (Your information will not be shared.) Click red link above to see samples of covers and pages.

On August 1st, I will choose one person who will have her/his choice of several covers on an 8×8 inch, twenty-page scrapbook in which s/he can document that long-awaited first sale. The pages will cover various milestones including The Call, signing the contract, receiving the first advance payment and holding your debut novel in your hands.

(No scrapbooking skills required. You just add your photos and journaling.)

 

Meet Debut Author Kaylin McFarren

Kaylin McFarren writes award-winning romance. Her debut novel, Flaherty’s Crossing, was a 2008 Golden Heart® finalist. It’s placed in several contests as well. The novel is scheduled for release by Champagne Books in February 2010.

Although Kaylin wasn’t born with a pen in hand like many authors, she has been actively involved in both business and personal writing projects for many years. As the director of a fine art gallery, she assisted in furthering the careers of numerous visual artists who, under her guidance, gained recognition through promotional opportunities and in national publications. Eager to spread her own creative wings, she has since steered her energy toward writing novels. As a result, she has earned more than a dozen literary awards including her Golden Heart final.

Kaylin lives in the Pacific Northwest with her very supportive and patient husband, two competitive dogs, one meandering cat and a pond filled with incredibly hungry Koi. Her interests include reading, international travel, wine tasting, interior design, golf, skiing and visual arts. She makes an annual visit to Japan to enjoy the cherry blossom season, to watch her husband in action (giving motivational speeches and appearing on television shows), and to visit friends and family members who live there.

Join me as we follow Kaylin’s writing journey from first story to first sale.
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Kaylin with her pal Toby

Kaylin Embarks on Her Journey

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•You took a course fourteen years ago called Writing the Novel as well as similar ones before that, so the desire to craft a story has been part of your life for a long time. Where do you believe this interest comes from?

Actually, I’ve always had an active imagination, probably my Irish roots burrowing into my brain. For most of my life, I was an avid romance reader, longing to slip into Jane Austen’s corset.

I tried my hand at poetry and writing short stories…anything to express my love of the written word. In high school and college, a few of my short stories actually ended up in school publications, but for the most part, they were tucked away in various drawers.

As time went by, I married and was fortunate enough to travel to exotic places, meeting remarkable people, each with a unique story to tell. And along the way, I found inspiration and plenty of ideas to now channel into what I hope will be a long series of entertaining books.

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•When did you begin writing Flaherty’s Crossing, which involves a woman dealing with her father’s death due to cancer? What led you to explore such an emotionally charged subject?

Sixteen years ago, following my father’s death, I found myself obsessed with sitting in front of a typewriter, coming to terms with unresolved issues by banging on keys. This silent venting became a sort of “therapy through writing” exercise. However, this exercise slowly evolved, taking on a life of its own. I began creating a related fictional story about a woman’s personal journey, and in the process of exploring my main character’s growth, I found myself learning and growing as well.

Eventually, I came to believe I had a meaningful story to tell, one through which I could possibly touch other people who shared the same complicated family relationships – and maybe even make a difference in their lives. Yet I still struggled with bringing this tale to a close.

It wasn’t until my eldest daughter provided her amazing writing insight that I finally came to realize why I struggled with the ending, for both the book and my father’s passing: the true resolution didn’t rest in holding onto the past; it came from opening my mind to future possibilities and honoring him – not only by setting this story free, but by becoming the professional storyteller that had been hiding in my genes. And I don’t mean blue jeans…
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Kaylin’s Process

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•What is the spark of your story? Is it the characters, a particular scene, a stunning beginning or something else?

I would love to think it’s my “stunning beginning,” the first turning point in Kate Flaherty’s life. But honestly, I believe it’s the unexpected characters she encounters who impact her life in ways she could never foresee and remind her of the importance of being true to her heart.

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•Do you stick to a rigid schedule, writing a certain number of hours a day? Or do you experience creative bursts and sit at the keyboard until fatigue finally forces you to quit?

I guess I’m one of those compulsive writers who love to sit at the keyboard from 8 AM to 5 PM or until someone demands I move. In other words, until I eat, sleep or actually talk. Writing takes me to another world that could easily shut everything around me out. Fortunately I have patient, loving people in my life to ensure I remain part of the general populous.
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Mountaintop Experiences

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•On March 25, 2008, the Romance Writers of America® board members made some special phone calls. You received one telling you Flaherty’s Crossing was a Golden Heart finalist. What were you doing when the call came? And what did you do afterward?

I was in the shower, of all places, when the phone rang, and I still remember my voice echoing over the receiver. My first reaction was that my daughter Kristina was playing a joke on me, but then I got it. This was a real person. The news was real. I think I must have said thank you a dozen times before dancing around and screaming. My husband came running, thinking the hot water had run out.

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•Last month you received life-changing news. The Call. Your hard work and dedication had paid off. Champagne Books bought your GH finaling story. Please share your reaction with all its emotionally charged details.

My “call story” is pretty straightforward. With a few months of sending out the requested full manuscript of Flaherty’s Crossing to Ellen Smith at Champagne Books, I received an exciting email from her offering a contract. I was ecstatic to say the least. I called everyone I could think of and poured myself a large glass of wine to celebrate. Even now when I think of it, I have to pinch myself to confirm it’s real.

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•The good news just keeps coming. Your new story, Severed Threads, took first place in the Utah RWA’s Great Beginnings contest. I understand this win means a lot to you. Why is that?

With Flaherty’s Crossing in the “process” of release, I got busy trying my hand at one of my favorite genres – action/adventure romance. Being my first attempt at writing in a very competitive category, I was anxious for feedback on my wip, and although I couldn’t help but hope, I didn’t expect the entry to even final. So, when I received word that Severed Threads had won first place, I was blown away. Winning this contest has not only been an honor, but affirmation that I’m headed in the right direction with a book I’m having so much fun writing.
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In the Valley

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•You received a number of rejections on Flaherty’s Crossing. No matter how much we brace ourselves, it hurts to have our work turned down. Who or what enabled you to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and send your story out again?

Flaherty’s Crossing was truly a labor of love, but it also crossed a few genres – making it a difficult book to place with a large house. At first I took the rejections as reflections on my writing skills, then I realized although they didn’t accept it, I was receiving a great deal of praise from publishers via personal notes and emails.

Rather than hold back to see what might happen way down the road or completely reinvent the novel based on suggestions I didn’t feel were true to the core of my story, my daughter Kristina McMorris encouraged me to take hold of the reins. I pursued smaller houses, where they are more open to books that are out-of-the-box. Fortunately, Flaherty’s Crossing and I have found a wonderful home at Champagne Books!
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Partners on Kaylin’s Journey

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•You had a special editor assist you on Flaherty’s Crossing. Your daughter Kristina. What contributions did she make to the story? Was she tough on her mom, pushing you to new heights, or did she serve more as grammar patrol?

Although Kristina is my daughter, she is also my best friend and strongest supporter – you might say, my other half – thus my pen name, Kaylin (K = Kris, Lin = Linda). She is an amazing author in her own right and my toughest critic. She can peel the toughest hide by shoving creative vision to the wayside or insulting suggested word choices during the course of editing. But in the long run, I admire her honesty and tenacity. As far as I’m concerned, every project I sink my teeth into is a collaborated effort in every respect because of her. (Even if I secretly want to pitch her halfway across the room.)

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•You have a number of multi-published authors as critique partners. Do you meet in person, or do you exchange your work via email? What are some of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned from your CPs?

On occasion I meet with my CPs to get feedback, but for the most part we discuss our plot issues, story lines and dreaded synopses via email.

I guess the most valuable lessons I’ve learned in this shared process/partnership are: 1) Keep an open mind – just be willing to see the whole movie and don’t fall in love with a slide; and 2) Sometimes you’re so busy stepping around holes in a story, you don’t take the time to fill them until your favorite CP falls into one.
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Kaylin’s Journey Continues

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•Your debut novel, Flaherty’s Crossing, is in your publisher’s hands, and you’re awaiting feedback. What requests for revisions, if any, do you expect?

I’ve been told my assigned editor will provide “suggested changes” to my story in August. I can only hope these revisions are limited to word choices or spelling errors. But in a perfect world, there wouldn’t be any, right?

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•Your new novel, Severed Threads, is making a splash on the contest circuit. What are your plans for it? Revision? Submission?

Although I would love to believe otherwise, Severed Threads is still a work in progress. From contests like Great Beginnings, I’m looking forward to receiving helpful feedback that I can apply as I continue to develop the story. Once it’s completed and thoroughly reviewed, I’ll be actively engaged in the submission process all over again.

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•What are you working on now? Something similar to one of your other stories or something entirely different?

Although I’m still working on Severed Threads at this time, I’m also a sort of “research assistant” and most likely assistant editor for Kristina’s second contracted book, which is presently in the works.

In addition, I have ideas for another exciting story that will follow on the coat tails of Severed Threads, which will take readers into the mysterious and entrancing world of Kyoto’s geisha quarters. Did I ever tell you I’m never short on ideas? Irish storyteller, right?

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Your First Book

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Please tell us about your debut novel, Flaherty’s Crossing.

Successful yet emotionally stifled artist Kate Flaherty stands at the deathbed of her estranged father, conflicted by his morphine-induced confession exposing his part in her mother’s death. While racing home, Kate’s car mishap leads her to a soul-searching discussion with a lone diner employee, prompting Kate to confront the true reasons her marriage hangs in the balance. When her night takes an unexpected turn, however, she flees for her life, a life desperate for faith that can only be found through her ability to forgive.

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Five Fun Facts About Kaylin

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~ Even though I already had a boyfriend, my future husband told everyone we knew in college I was the girl he was going to marry – only two days after we met. (Believe it or not, we were engaged two weeks later.)

~ I’m crazy for dessert and sometimes would prefer to skip dinner altogether just to indulge. (Crème Brule and Amaretto Cheesecake are my all time favorites.)

~ I love large family get-togethers where everyone talks over each other, even though it drives polite introverts crazy. (I was blessed with three daughters, but would have loved to have had eight children.)

~ I’m kind of a neat freak. I can’t leave my house without making my bed first, and I always clean up before my housekeepers arrive. (I wouldn’t want them to see how messy I am.)

~ Whenever I feel depressed about money, I go shopping. For some strange reason, it always makes me feel better. (I figure I’ll deal with the guilt later.)
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Kaylin’s Question for You

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•I’ve enjoyed having you as my guest, Kaylin. Thanks for your great answers to my questions. And now it’s your turn to ask a question of your visitors. What would you like to know?

After being married for 36 years, I’m often asked, “How have you managed to stay together for so long?” Everyone has their pat answers, but I’d really be interested in knowing what people attribute their successful marriage or relationship to? Do you give in, never go to bed mad or avoid each other at all costs?

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Learn More About Kaylin

Visit her Web site: http://www.kaylinmcfarren.com

Friend her on Facebook: Kaylin McFarren

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Leave a Comment for Two Chances to Win

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My Regular Drawing

My next drawing will take place June 30th. The winner will receive an etched steel magnet with the word Dream scroll cut from its center.

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To enter the drawing, just leave a comment on any blog post by June 30th and enter your email address when prompted. (I don’t share your information or add it to any mailing lists.) On July 1st, I’ll post the winner’s name in the Welcome post at the top of the blog.
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You could also win a First Sale Scrapbook!

If you’d like to have a chance at winning a First Sale Scrapbook created by me, your blog hostess Keli Gwyn, leave a comment on any post between now and June 30th. Be sure to include your name and email address when prompted if you want to be entered in the drawing. (Your information will not be shared.) Click red link above to see samples of covers and pages.

On July 1st, I will choose one person who will have her/his choice of several covers on an 8×8 inch, twenty-page scrapbook in which s/he can document that long-awaited first sale. The pages will cover various milestones including The Call, signing the contract, receiving the first advance payment and holding your “firstborn” in your hands.

(No scrapbooking skills required. You just add your photos and journaling.)

 

Debut Author Deborah Vogts Returns

Deborah Vogts visited last November soon after receiving a three-book contract offer from Zondervan for her Seasons of the Tallgrass series (link). Her debut novel released this month, and I’m happy to have her back to share more of her journey with us.

Deborah grew up on a farm in Southeast Kansas with pigs, cattle, horses and sheep, as well as the space to run free. After college, she remembers being in a city park flying kites and having an ache in her heart for wide-open spaces. Her longing for home and country life took her back to SE Kansas where she married a high school classmate. She and her husband have three daughters and raise and train American Quarter Horses on land her grandfather once farmed.

Deborah’s love for the country comes through in her writing, and she’s confident of her audience—those who either live in the country, who moved from the country and still hold it in their hearts, or those who have never lived there but long for the simple life it offers.

The simplicity and quiet are what draws Deborah to country life. Besides writing, her hobbies include reading a good book, cooking, sewing, gardening and garage sale shopping. She enjoys playing the piano and taking walks with their two golden retrievers. She is a 4-H mom, teaches Sunday school and sings in the church choir.

Join me as we learn more about Deborah and her debut novel.
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Deborah’s Journey Begins

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•Please recap for us how you got started writing and what led you to create your debut novel, Snow Melts in Spring.

I began my first “Great American Novel” in high school and knew then that I wanted to be a writer. While in college at Emporia State University, I took a Flint Hills Folklife course taught by Dr. Jim Hoy. Along with classroom study, we took field trips into the heart of the Flint Hills and visited with old-time ranchers, schoolmarms and post-mistresses. It was such a delightful experience, especially our drives into the pastures. We would get on these back roads and drive over pasture guards into the open range. We’d travel for miles without seeing another car or even an electric line—just pure, native prairie.

That summer, I fell in love with the Flint Hills and it has stayed with me all this time. I’m so glad I have the chance to share this place with my readers in this book and in the Seasons of the Tallgrass series.
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From First Sale to Firstborn

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You received your contract offer from Zondervan last year due to the efforts of your agent, Rachelle Gardner. I smiled when you said in your earlier interview that your initial response to the news of your sale was “all business.” It’s clear you’re gifted in both the creative and business side of writing. I peeked at your Web site and was impressed. It’s grown! I know that’s only one aspect of the promotion a writer does following her sale.
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•What have you been doing to get the word out since you signed the contract?

The first thing I did was to revamp my blog and create a static web site. I took a lot of time studying other sites that I liked and eventually went with an account at homestead.com. I like that I can do updates myself and the price was right.

My publisher, Zondervan, made some postcards that I handed out to “everyone and their dog,” and I also ordered some personalized pens. As the release date neared, I had some bookmarks made to go along with those made by Zondervan. I figured you couldn’t have too many bookmarks. I’ve also been doing a LOT of blog interviews. Zondervan and I have done some media work, but I can tell you more about that below.

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•What have been the most exciting aspects of having sold your first book?

Wow, I don’t know. It’s all pretty exciting! From the moment I received my contract, and then the first advance check (my husband especially liked that), to seeing the cover in the Summer CBD Fiction Catalog, and then finally holding the book in my hands. All of it has been an amazing experience!

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•What aspects of being a published author have surprised you?

Having been a member of American Christian Fiction Writers since 2002, I’ve heard lots of stories from other writers and had an idea of what to expect, so I don’t know that I’ve had many surprises.

One thing that totally surprised me, though, was when a reporter from America’s Horse, the member magazine for the American Quarter Horse Association,  called me for an interview. The editor had received an advanced reader copy from Zondervan and was interested in doing a story. That was a wonderful surprise . . . and so FUN.

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•What advice would you offer to not-yet-published writers about things they can do now to help them prepare for the day they get The Call?

Probably the most important thing to do is learn the craft and fine-tune your writing skills. Write the best story you can.

Having a web presence is important, too, so you can start collecting a reader base. I created my blog in 2005, so by the time I had my contract, I had a nice following. And blogs are a great way to begin.
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A Delightful Delivery

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I visited your blog and saw a picture of the UPS driver giving you the first shipment of your author copies. Being a scrapbooker, I think it’s great that you had the presence of mind to get that shot. I love how you opened the box and gave him a copy of your book for his wife.
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•What was it like to hold your “baby” in your hands for the first time? Did you laugh, cry or do some of both?

I did a lot of laughing. My youngest daughter happened to be home at the time, so I danced around with her and waved the book in her face for probably half an hour. LOL. It took a little over a year from the time I received the offer to holding the book in my hand—but it was well worth the wait!

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•You had a wonderful launch party in the Flint Hills where your story is set. What were some of the highlights?

I scheduled two launch parties for my book. Because the series is set in the Flint Hills of Kansas, it was really important for me to have a launch there. Cottonwood Falls was the perfect location, especially since it was the basis for my fictional town of Diamond Falls. The entire weekend was so fun. My youngest daughter and my mom and dad accompanied me, and we stayed in their RV, which brought back many old memories. One of the highlights was when my daughter played with the bluegrass band for their music event on Friday night. And I had three “surprise” visitors—KS author and friend, Judith Miller, and my oldest brother and his wife!

My next launch event will be held at my church in Erie, KS. I’m hoping many of our local friends and neighbors will join us for the celebration. We’ll be giving away a beautiful teapot and a handmade quilt, and the book sale proceeds will go to a Kenyan Orphanage Mission Project, so I hope we sell lots of books!
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•I saw that you have a number of book signings lined up. That’s so cool. You’ve already held one. How did things go? What pointers do you have for other authors preparing to arrange signings of their own?

Unfortunately, I don’t have a lot of experience at this since my first signing was my launch last weekend. However, I do have a few tips that might make your events run smoother.

For each signing, try to get some kind of media attention or at the very least, have some fliers made up. In my case, we sent out media notices to local papers, churches, bookstores and libraries. Plus we had an amazing giveaway prize offering a weekend “Getaway to the Flint Hills” that featured a one night’s stay at a bed and breakfast and a dinner for two. Both of those items were donated—did I mention that the people in Cottonwood Falls were amazingly generous!!! But even if you can offer a small gift drawing—it’s a great way to get addresses for newsletters or announcements.

Another tip is to bring someone with you, either a friend, family member or another author. This will help pass the time, and the other person can help with the gift drawing or take money, etc, so that you’re free to give your attention to your readers. Oh, and have some chocolate on the table—for those who pass by and for yourself!!!
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A Warm Welcome

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•You received some great endorsements from some of the top names in inspirational fiction: Karen Kingsbury, Tamara Alexander and Kim Vogel Sawyer to name a few. Wow! When did you learn that they would be reading your book, and how did you feel when you first saw their comments?

Zondervan had asked me for a list of endorsers, so I sent them a list of my favorite writers whose writing was similar to mine. My books are tagged contemporary prairie romance, so this widened the category for me. For each endorsement that came in, I first breathed a sigh of relief that they didn’t hate it (LOL), and then I thanked God for such wonderful blessings!
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•You’ve begun to receive reviews. What are some of your favorites so far?

I’ve only read one of them, and that was one on Amazon.com by Deborah Raney. I was thrilled to read her favorable review and can only hope and pray that I have more like it in the future.
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Deborah’s Debut Novel . . . and Beyond

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•Please tell us about Snow Melts in Spring.

Mattie Evans, a young veterinarian in rural Kansas, saves a horse injured in a terrible accident. But she also finds herself tending the wounded relationship between a prodigal son and his ailing father. Love, conflict, forgiveness and renewal drive this first book of the Seasons of the Tallgrass series.

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•What can your readers look forward to next?

I’m continuing on with the Seasons of the Tallgrass series. Right now, I’m waiting for edits of my second book, Seeds of Summer, and have started working on my third book, tentatively titled Blades of Autumn.

One of the neatest parts of the publishing process is seeing what the creative team comes up with for a cover. I’m eager to view the cover for Seeds of Summer, a story about a former Miss Rodeo Kansas queen, and her return to the Flint Hills to care for her deceased father’s ranch and her two younger siblings.

After the Seasons of the Tallgrass series, I’ll wait for God’s lead to see what happens next.
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Five Fun Facts About Deborah

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~ As a girl in 4-H I showed market pigs and steers. I named my first pig Herbie–after Herbie the Love Bug—and cried buckets of tears when I sold him at the auction.

~ Long ago, in the days of CB radios, my dad purchased one for our home, and we all had call names. My dad’s name was Pig Farmer, my mom’s was Farmer’s Wife, and my name was Country Girl. I guess the title fit and certainly matches my writing brand–Country at Heart.

~ This isn’t funny, but at the age of 15, I was out riding my horse and one of the reins broke. The horse raced for home, about a mile away. She tore through the barnyard and was headed for a fence and on the other side was a deep gully. I knew if she jumped, I would die, so I bailed off. Ended up breaking my arm and wrist and didn’t get on another horse until I was 30.

~ I used to have a pretend restaurant as a girl where I made food for my family. I made mud pies, mud cookies, mud soup, mud cakes. Throw in some grass and rocks and fun creations were made. I still enjoy baking—only now I use store ingredients instead of mud.

~ I once wanted to be a professional pianist. I wrote and played a song for my brother’s wedding and have since given lots of piano lessons to youngsters. I also managed a youth singing group called Saving Grace, and we made a CD called More than a Song.
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Deborah’s Question for You

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•I’ve enjoyed having you as my guest, Deborah. Thanks for your great answers to my questions. And now it’s your turn to ask a question of your visitors. What would you like to know?

Thanks for having me as a guest, Keli. I’ve really enjoyed answering these questions for you. For your readers, I would like to ask–Do you have a heart for country life? Why or why not? And if so, what inspires you the most?
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Learn More About Deborah

Visit her Web site: http://www.deborahvogts.com

Visit her blog: http://www.deborahvogts.blogspot.com

Friend her on Facebook: Deborah Vogts

Follow her on Twitter: DeborahVogts
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Leave a Comment for Two Chances to Win

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My next drawing will take place June 30th. The winner will receive an etched steel magnet with the word Dream scroll cut from its center.

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To enter the drawing, just leave a comment on any blog post by June 30th and enter your email address when prompted. (I don’t share your information or add it to any mailing lists.) On July 1st, I’ll post the winner’s name in the Welcome post at the top of the blog.
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You could also win a First Sale Scrapbook!

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If you’d like to have a chance at winning a First Sale Scrapbook created by me, your blog hostess Keli Gwyn, leave a comment on any post between now and June 30th. Be sure to include your name and email address when prompted if you want to be entered in the drawing. (Your information will not be shared.) Click red link above to see samples of covers and pages.

On July 1st, I will choose one person who will have her/his choice of several covers on an 8×8 inch, twenty-page scrapbook in which s/he can document that long-awaited first sale. The pages will cover various milestones including The Call, signing the contract, receiving the first advance payment and holding your “firstborn” in your hands.

(No scrapbooking skills required. You just add your photos and journaling.)

 

Meet Debut Author Mary Sullivan

Mary Sullivan’s debut novel, No Ordinary Cowboy, a Harlequin Superromance, hit the shelves June 9th. This book was her 2005 Golden Heart® finaling entry, then known as Sheltering Arms. She’s currently contracted for two more Superromances.

Mary used to enjoy capturing images with a camera and manipulating them in the darkroom. Since being bitten by the writing bug, however, painting pictures with words is her passion.

Mary lives in Ontario, Canada, where she loves the snow!!! When she’s not crafting her next Superromance, Mary likes to garden, cook, create recipes, walk (in snow!), and have loooong, stimulating conversations with her daughter. While she considers herself a “hopeless athlete,” she never stops trying. She hopes to, gulp, go rock climbing with her daughter one day soon.

And just to clarify, since two Mary Sullivans have been listed among the Golden Heart finalist ranks, this Mary was the first to claim the honor. She’s the current president of the Romance Writers of America® chapter just for GH finalists, The Golden Network.

Join me as we learn more about Mary and her journey.
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Mary’s Journey Begins

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•Since you finaled in the 2005 Golden Heart, you’ve been writing at least five years. When did you begin writing with a goal of publication? Was your GH entry your first story, or were there others before that?

Hi, Keli. Thank you so much for having me here today.

I’ve been writing for 12 or 13 years. I started with the desire for publication, but didn’t quite know how to get there. My first story was about lumberjacks and a female cook in a camp way up in northern Ontario in the early twentieth century. Not exactly commercial material. 

My GH entry was my second full story, but there were plenty of books written in bits and pieces and fits and starts before that and more after. When I discovered Superromance, I knew that was where I was headed. That’s when the stories started to take shape and finally become whole.

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•You’re a born-and-bred city girl, and yet you write about cowboys. How did this come about?

I have no idea.  Honest.

I just find that I am fascinated by the culture, both past and current, and I appreciate their work ethics.
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Mary’s Process

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•As president of an active chapter of RWA®, you’re obviously someone who’s adept at overseeing large projects. Does this lend itself to your writing, making you a big-picture person who’s a pantser? Or perhaps you’re more prone to getting all the details in place and are a plotter?

I’m such an odd mixture of both. I’m a real analyzer and love the details; in fact, I can spend hours going over a few chapters to get them ‘right’. As well, though, I don’t start with the novel mapped out, because I don’t always know at the beginning of the story whatever it is that my characters will need to learn, what will shape their arcs. Whatever learning is required of them will shape the plot and move it forward.

Sometimes I don’t know who my characters really are until the love scene.
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•When do you write? Do you get up early, filled with inspiration and race to the computer, or do your creative juices begin to flow after the sun goes down?

I wish I could say that I have a routine, but I don’t. I write whenever I can and, when that isn’t enough, I carve whole days or weeks out of my schedule when NOTHING trumps the writing—not school, nor friends and family. At those times, I have no social life, no exercise, no great healthy home-cooked meals. Just writing.

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•You’re a Canadian and yet your debut novel is set in Montana. How do you perform the research to make your setting come to life? Do you visit the location, buy travel guides or surf Cyberspace?

This book started in Alberta, but through flips and changes on the way to publication, the setting became Montana. I researched on the Internet and in books. I found some wonderful books about cowboy life and ranching in general, and about Montana specifically.

I dearly wish I could visit the locations I’ve written about since I started in this career!
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Peaks

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•Four years ago, you received a call from RWA, one that’s made many a writer’s day. You learned that your story was a 2005 Golden Heart finalist? How did you react? Physically, vocally or emotionally?

Oh, so vocally.  My family came running from the far end of the house. Once they discovered what the screaming was about, they did a lot of hooting of their own. Finaling in the GH was thrilling!
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•Another call came on July 21, 2008. The Call. Your dream had come true. Harlequin wanted to buy your GH story. Where were you when the call came, what were your first thoughts and how long did your happy dance last?

I was no longer working and was waiting to start school, so I was at home writing when my agent called—just a magnificent stroke of good luck.

My first thought was, Well, I finally made it. My second thought was, Wow, I can’t believe I made it.

You mean the happy dance is supposed to stop sometime?????
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•Your good news continued. No Ordinary Cowboy garnered a four-and-a-half star review from Romantic Times. Congrats! What are some other reviews that have surprised and delighted you?

The most stunning reviews have come from readers who have experienced cancer in their lives. Some of the characters in my novel have survived cancer and that experience has resonated with readers.

The Romantic Times review was incredible (!), but the personal emails from strangers whose lives I have touched emotionally are the ones that give me immense satisfaction.
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Valleys

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•I’ve heard it said that many years often go into the making of every overnight success. One day you were an unpublished writer dreaming of a contract. The next you had one. How did you deal with the l-o-n-g path to publication, which can be discouraging, disappointing and, at times, even daunting?

For the past six years, I have been so fortunate in the writing company that I keep. I have an amazing critique group! Their support has been unflagging, especially at those moments when I didn’t think I could stand another rejection.

My local RWA chapter, Toronto Romance Writers, is chock full of the most enthusiastic supportive writers.

My mother and brothers and sisters, while puzzled by my desire to write, never stopped supporting me.

My daughter knew all along that publication was a given and I have loved her for having faith in me.
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Partners on Mary’s Journey

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•You’re an active member of the Toronto Romance Writers who’s served the chapter in many roles. What have been some ways in which the members have enriched your life and helped in your journey to publication?

I really didn’t know anything about getting published until I joined TRW. I would say that, in that regard, the first six or so years of effort were not as useful as they could have been. I was living in the solitary limbo of a writer who has no contact with other writers. Things really didn’t move for me until after joining. I started attending meetings and workshops, talking to other writers, attending conferences and learning the ins and outs of both publishing and writing. I had made all of the mistakes in both areas that newbies make. Through TRW I learned how to correct them.

Indirectly, I met my critique group through TRW, and what a group it has been! I’m blessed. 
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Mary’s “Firstborn”

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•Please tell us about your debut novel, No Ordinary Cowboy.

Falling for a cowboy? Who would have thought…

She’d rather be anywhere than here in Ordinary, Montana. Tackling the books for a failing ranch as a favor to a friend is not city girl Amy Graves’s scene. And every time Hank Shelter stonewalls her search for the truth, she wants to be gone yesterday. Seriously.

Still, something about the Sheltering Arms calls to her. Maybe it’s the open spaces. Maybe it’s the inner-city kids having the time of their lives here. Or maybe it’s Hank, who is proving too good, too kind to be real. Despite herself, Amy’s falling for his charm. But to put the ranch to rights she needs to know what he’s hiding. Even if it destroys the sweet thing developing between them.
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Mary’s Journey Continues

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•Your debut novel, No Ordinary Cowboy, is on the shelves, and you have two more Super Romances contracted. Can your readers expect more cowboy stories, or is there a surprise in store?

Oh, definitely cowboy stories. I invented a small town in Montana called Ordinary. My editor liked it so much that she wanted to see more stories about it. Fortunately, I had already completed another novel about it, but she also wanted to see a story about one of the characters in No Ordinary Cowboy. I wrote a proposal for it and she bought both books.
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Five Fun Facts About Mary

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~I went dogsledding last winter for the first time and LOVED it. Those dogs have so much heart, spirit and generosity!

~I love beautiful shoes. Love them. Love them.

~I like solving cryptic crosswords. My success rate is limited, but I enjoy trying.

~I have four sisters and two brothers. Having a big family is so much fun.

~I eat the crusts off all of my sandwiches first and then eat the centre—the best part!
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Mary’s Question for You

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•I’ve enjoyed having you as my guest, Mary. Thanks for your great answers to my questions. And now it’s your turn to ask a question of your visitors. What would you like to know?

I am truly fascinated by the ways in which people fall in love. How have you fallen in love? Was it at the sound of a voice? Was it the first touch? Was it the first time you made eye contact? Was it a gesture glimpsed from across a room?

What do YOU find the most romantic way to fall in love?
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Learn More About Mary

Visit her Web site: www.marysullivanbooks.com

Friend her on Facebook: Mary Sullivan
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Leave a Comment for Three Chances to Win

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Win a Copy of Mary’s Debut Novel

Everyone who leaves a comment on Mary’s post by the end of the day June 23rd will have a chance of winning a copy of Mary’s debut novel, No Ordinary Cowboy. I’ll post the winner’s name here on June 24th.

To enter, just leave your email address when prompted during the comment process. (I don’t share your information or add it to any mailing lists.)

Congratulations to Linda, winner of the copy of No Ordinary Cowboy.
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Win My Regular Drawing

My next drawing will take place June 30th. The winner will receive an etched steel magnet with the word Dream scroll cut from its center.
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To enter the drawing, just leave a comment on any blog post by June 30th and enter your email address when prompted. (I don’t share your information or add it to any mailing lists.) On July 1st, I’ll post the winner’s name in the Welcome post at the top of the blog.
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You could also win a First Sale Scrapbook!

If you’d like to have a chance at winning a First Sale Scrapbook created by me, your blog hostess Keli Gwyn, leave a comment on any post between now and June 30th. Be sure to include your name and email address when prompted if you want to be entered in the drawing. (Your information will not be shared.) Click red link above to see samples of covers and pages.

On July 1st, I will choose one person who will have her/his choice of several covers on an 8×8 inch, twenty-page scrapbook in which s/he can document that long-awaited first sale. The pages will cover various milestones including The Call, signing the contract, receiving the first advance payment and holding your “firstborn” in your hands.

(No scrapbooking skills required. You just add your photos and journaling.)

 

Meet Debut Author Marlayne Giron

Nearly thirty years ago, Marlayne Giron began her debut novel. As a young woman in her early 20s, she wrote The Victor on an IBM Selectric typewriter. On April 14th, her long-time dream was realized when Tate Publishing released her allegorical medieval tale of the Gospels.

Marlayne’s faith has profoundly influenced her writing. Growing up in a Jewish home, she was raised with an anti-Christian bias. However, when she was seventeen, she accepted Christ as a direct result of watching Jesus of Nazareth by Franco Zefferelli and became a Messianic Jew.

When Marlayne asked if I’d interview her, I visited her Web site and was intrigued by her story. As she says in her answers, an allegory isn’t something published very often. What impressed me is her unwavering belief in her story. Despite a wait spanning three decades, during which she almost gave up hope, her story is now on the shelves.

Marlayne Giron is a career secretary who lives in Orange County, California with her husband, Michael, the love of her life for 23 years, her teen-aged daughter, Karina, who is rapidly turning her hair gray, and her Dachshund/Corgi mix (which, she says, makes him a “Daugi”) by the name of Buddy. Marlayne likes to read, cook, entertain, create book trailers, and scrapbook.

Join me as we learn more about Marlayne and her journey to publication.
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Marlayne’s Journey Begins

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•You began your story as a young woman. What was your writing background?

I’ve always been artistic and creative. I used to sew, embroider, and draw quite a bit. I had a good friend I met at the age of 12. On one of her visits, we lay on our stomachs, and she produced a typewritten story in which she had put us in as characters. We read it out loud to each other, and it was so much fun that I created a story for our next get-together. At that time, we were really into the Six Million Dollar Man television series, and we saved the day in each of our short stories–we must have written hundreds. We wrote and illustrated a “feature” length story, too, which I still have.

Lisa had always wanted to be a teacher when she grew up, and soon I found her red-marking my stories for spelling, punctuation, and grammar problems. I decided I would make sure she could find no errors in any future stories. This decision honed my English skills. Lisa is a creative, brilliant person, and was a big influence in my writing. I learned a lot of creative writing techniques from her.

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•What was the inspiration for The Victor? I know it’s an allegory of Christ’s love for the church, but what led you to use the medieval setting?

It all happened quite innocently enough. Almost thirty years ago I was listening to my new Amy Grant album Father’s Eyes and during the song “Fairytale” an image popped into my head when I heard her sing the following verse: “…two princes wage the battle for eternity but the victor has been known from the start.” I envisioned Jesus in a suit of “shining armor” and Satan/Lucifer in a suit of “black armor” crossing swords over a young maiden who represented the bride of Christ.

I instantly knew what I wanted my story to convey: the ultimate love story of all time between Christ and his bride, “the church,” and I knew how I wanted it to end. I just wasn’t exactly sure how it would begin or what I would put in between!

I have always loved books and movies dealing King Arthur, Robin Hood, etc., and fairytale stories with lords, ladies, knights, and mystical swords. I read the entire Hobbit and Lord of the Rings books in one weekend when I was 12, and it was the most magnificent story I have ever read to this day. Nothing compares to its majesty and sheer genius.

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•You call yourself a “very atypical author” and have said, “I am the most unlikely person to have a book published.” Why is that?

Several reasons! My complete lack of a formal education in creative writing (other than high school), and also the fact that The Victor is the only story I have ever felt inspired to write. I have observed that many published and would-be authors all seem to have a similar character trait in common: they constantly want to write and are filled with more story ideas than they have time for.

While I did try to get the book published in the late 80s/early 90’s, I was told it was an impossible feat. I was a total unknown, had never had anything published, and had no connections in the publishing industry. My story was not considered marketable by any publisher (Christian and secular alike). You can only beat your head against a brick wall for so long.

I gave up hope of The Victor ever being published for a good 15 years and had forgotten completely about it until six months before I decided to make another try. I was too busy being a mom, wife and career secretary. The most consistent writing I performed was business correspondence.
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Marlayne’s Process

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•Since you began writing your story in the days before computers and the Internet, you’ve seen many changes. How has your writing process evolved because of the technology and tools currently available? Have you added to or changed your story at all because of the wealth of resources now available at the click of a mouse?

Well, the advent of computers sure made correcting mistakes easier! Despite the state of technology at the time (or lack thereof), I wrote all of the The Victor on a typewriter. I did buy a book way back then called “Life in a Castle in Medieval England” as my research source, but everything else came out of my imagination and the books and movies that had influenced me.

I rewrote The Victor more times than I can count, both on typewriter and finally on personal computer. I deleted entire sections and added new ones–right up to the day when I was going into the final editing process this past year. A line in a crucial scene that I had never been happy with suddenly became obvious, and I let out with an audible DUH!

Current technology and the Internet have made promotion of the book and creating my own book trailer much easier and a lot less expensive! I understand it can cost several hundred dollars to pay an outside firm to create a book trailer, but I did mine using Power Point and free gifs I found on the Internet. The only things I had to pay for were conversion software and a licensed, royalty-free version of the music I used. (It is a Beethoven piano concerto, which I refer to as “the love theme from The Victor.” I think he wrote it just for me – that’s how perfect it is.)
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Peaks

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•After thirty years polishing your story, The Victor sold to Tate Publishing. Where were you when The Call came? What was your reaction? Did you squeal, do a happy dance or burst into tears?

I was at my job, sitting in my cubicle when Janey Hayes of Tate called. I had sent the story the August before and completely forgotten all about it, so at first I thought it was some sort of crank telemarketing call. After I understood what it was about, I was in a state of shock. I hung up the phone, turned to my cube partner and said, in a very calm but shocked voice, “A publisher just called me, and they want to publish my book!” She was very thrilled for me. I just sat there shaking my head in disbelief. It was a very surreal moment–and it still is.

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•I read a review on Examiner.com by Kelly Kiggins-Lund in which she says you weave “an allegorical story that I believe compares to that of C. S. Lewis in his series The Chronicles of Narnia.” High praise indeed. What are your thoughts when you read such comments and see the impact your book is having?

Actually those were my exact words in response to her comment: “High praise indeed.” But to answer your question in a few words: gratifying and validating.

You have to understand that for 30 years I begged and practically offered to pay people to read my story. Quite honestly, I really didn’t know if The Victor was any good or how I rated against other published authors. I was so tired of reading it after years of rewrites I couldn’t be objective anymore.

One of the best compliments I got was from my editor at Tate, Wayne Lin. I’d expected a more rigorous review than I received. He explained that he got so caught up in the story and characters he forgot about reading it with a critical eye.

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Valleys

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•You made numerous attempts to get your story published through the years, so you know all about rejection. What enabled you to persevere when publication seemed so elusive?

I can’t honestly say this was a case of perseverance since I really did give up on it after trying off and on for 10 years. The only reason I ended up looking for and finding Tate Publishing was at the suggestion of my old friend, Lisa, who suggested I look into online publishing. I did a quick search for Christian Publishers, found Tate, uploaded the manuscript in August of 2007 and forgot all about it until the following April when I received The Call.

I had always harbored a wish deep in my heart that someday, somehow The Victor would be published. Now is that time. If my story had been published back in the 1980’s or early 1990’s when I had submitted it to publishers, there would have been no Internet, no YouTube, no social network sites, no email, no cheap or effective ways of getting the word out on The Victor.

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•A year ago you were told by a literary agent at a local Christian writer’s conference that no publisher would want to publish your book. That had to be discouraging. Why did the agent say that, and how did you respond to the news?

I only got a total of five minutes with this agent. I had to summarize what the book was about in less than a minute only to have him tell me no one would want to publish it because it was an allegory. I left this conference depressed and discouraged. Not only did the literary agent tell me this but also a well known and much loved published author concurred with him.

I was also told my story was too blatant to submit to a secular publisher. This was at the same time that the Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia were making big box office money in theaters!

By a strange “coincidence,” the same week I attended this writer’s conference was the same week the book contract from Tate arrived. God had opened just the one door, and I walked right in with gratitude and high hopes. I literally walked on air for four months after signing the contract!
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Partners on Marlayne’s Journey

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•You wrote for many years before the Internet enabled us to become acquainted with other writers or to locate potential critique partners. Who did you turn to for feedback during that time?

Early in the writing of my first draft, I got some critical input from a submission editor who worked for Multnomah Press, and several years ago I got a critique of my first chapter while taking a writing course at my local Biola College. More recently, my husband offered some very good critiques about logical and historical inconsistencies, and a technical editor friend of his did the same.

I also have to credit my BFF, Janet Francis, who is a career secretary like me, for volunteering to review the manuscript despite the fact that she doesn’t generally like my kind of fiction. It was very encouraging when she told me she could hardly wait to get home from work each day to continue reading the book during her review process and that she found it hard to put down!
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Marlayne’s Journey Continues

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•The Victor has been your focus for three decades, but it’s now on the shelves. What next? Do you have another medieval allegory planned or something new?

It was never my heart’s desire to become a published author; it was my heart’s desire to see The Victor published. There is a big difference. While I enjoy writing and think I’m good at it, I have no plans for another book unless struck with another inspiration, despite frequent requests for a sequel from those who have already read it.

Right now, my focus is marketing The Victor and trying to get the word out. If I did write another story related to The Victor, it would probably be a prequel rather than a sequel, exploring the history of some of the more interesting major characters.

If The Victor ever becomes a “success” in any sense of the word, there will be no doubt in my mind that it was due to a divine miracle of God! I would consider all the work, heartache, rejection and disappointment I experienced throughout the years worth it if just one person finds the Lord as a result of reading my book.
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Marlayne’s “Firstborn”

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•Please tell us a little about The Victor.

The Victor is a parable of the Bible’s major themes of the fall of Satan and man, and the redemption of Christ’s bride, the church, in the form of a medieval fantasy/fiction for ages 12 to 80.  It is the classic tale of good against evil.

Who will emerge the victor?

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Five Fun Facts About Marlayne

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~ When The Victor came out in print, I sent a cover letter and two copies of the book to Amy Grant: one which I autographed for her, thanking her for the inspiration and the second for her to autograph and return to me, which she did.

~ I wrote and illustrated a short fiction story in which Jesus introduces my character to the man He had chosen as my future husband five years before I actually met him. The future husband in the fiction story and the real thing were both named Michael (I also always prayed for him in advance by this name). I met Michael, who looked just like my illustration, on a triple date. That night one of the other women told him he’d marry me, but he didn’t’ believe it. Five years later, we were married.

~ I accepted Jesus as my Savior during Easter Week; I met my future husband during Easter Week; and my book, The Victor, was released in Easter Week. A “coincidence”? I think not.

~ After major surgery made it impossible for me to conceive and five years of heartache with a failed attempt at alternative methods, my husband and I came to the conclusion that the only way we’d have a family was to adopt. Two weeks before Christmas and a year before it was supposed to happen, we were introduced to our daughter, Karina Marie, who was an adorable 3-1/2 year old at the time. We visited with her over the course of the next week or so, and she came home as our daughter on Christmas Eve.

~ I used to take private ice-skating lessons and got rather good (I could do jumps and spins), and I still miss it a lot. I hope heaven has an ice-rink where I can ice-skate for the Lord and do the doubles, axels and footwork I found impossible to do in my 20’s. Does that mean that heaven has to freeze over?
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Marlayne’s Question for You

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•I’ve enjoyed having you as my guest, Marlayne. Now it’s your turn to ask a question of your visitors. What would you like to know?

If you’ve read or watched The Chronicles of Narnia or The Lord of the Rings triology, what aspects of those stories most impressed you? What do you think of allegories that retell great stories?
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Learn More About Marlayne

Visit her Web site: www.thevictorbook.com

Friend her on Facebook: Marlayne Giron

Follow her on Twitter: thevictorbook
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Leave a Comment for Your Chance to Win

My next drawing will take place June 20th. The winner will receive a travel-friendly fabric tote bag just the right size for a day trip or errand run.
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To enter the drawing, just leave a comment on any blog post by June 20th and enter your email address when prompted. (I don’t share your information or add it to any mailing lists.) On June 21st, I’ll post the winner’s name in the Welcome post at the top of the blog.
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You could also win a First Sale Scrapbook!

If you’d like to have a chance at winning a First Sale Scrapbook created by me, your blog hostess Keli Gwyn, leave a comment on any post between now and June 30th. Be sure to include your name and email address when prompted if you want to be entered in the drawing. (Your information will not be shared.) Click red link above to see samples of covers and pages.

On July 1st, I will choose one person who will have her/his choice of several covers on an 8×8 inch, twenty-page scrapbook in which s/he can document that long-awaited first sale. The pages will cover various milestones including The Call, signing the contract, receiving the first advance payment and holding your “firstborn” in your hands.

(No scrapbooking skills required. You just add your photos and journaling.)

 

Meet Writer Kelly Ann Riley

Three-time Golden Heart® finalist Kelly Ann Riley writes contemporary and historical romantic suspense and mystery. Tread Softly: A Want Ad Murder was a 2007 Golden Heart finalist in the Romantic Suspense Category. Her entry, Kitty’s Fire, finaled in Contemporary Series Romance: Suspense/ Adventure in 2008 and in Inspirational this year.

If Kelly Ann’s name is familiar to you, it may be from seeing it on the contest circuit. Her name has graced many contest winners’ lists. She’s had eight manuscripts place in 18 contests, among them the Kiss of Death RWA® chapter’s Daphne du Maurier and the American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis. In addition, she’s served as co-coordinator of the Daphne for the past eight years and the Faith, Hope and Love chapter’s Touched by Love for three.

Kelly Ann lives on 15 rural acres in Alabama with her engineer husband, two teens and an eclectic menagerie of cats, dogs, birds, horses, turtles and other assorted critters. Kelly Ann is a Registered Dietitian with an MBA who has worked in various hospitals and clinics as a teacher and manager. She’s also worked as a firefighter, waitress, janitor, teacher assistant and shoe salesperson, experiences that have given her fodder for her stories. When not heightening the suspense for her characters, she likes to read, read, read; watch movies (a happy ending is a must); direct her church’s youth club; camp; hike; swim; garden; play with her many animals and hang out at bookstores.

Join me as we learn more about Kelly Ann and her journey.

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Kelly Ann’s Journey Begins

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•You’ve completed several manuscripts. When did you begin writing the first one? What sparked that story? Characters who wouldn’t stop chatting? A plot that filled your thoughts and kept you awake at night?

When I was a young child I loved stories and couldn’t wait to learn to read. Since first grade I’ve had a love for the written word and wanted to belong to that world of imagination as an author.

Over the years I tried my hand at short stories, poems, and finally novels. I got waylaid somewhat with earning a living and raising a family, but I still wrote when I could. I consider those years a training and dreaming period. Then about five years ago, I decided to seriously pursue publication, and it has been a wonderful learning adventure ever since.

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•Kitty’s Fire finaled in two different categories of the Golden Heart: Contemporary Series Suspense/Adventure last year and Inspirational this year. What led you to switch categories? Did you change the story in order to incorporate the faith elements, or has the inspirational element been part of your writing from the time you typed the first story?

I read books in wide variety of genres in and out of the CBA market. I enjoy books where the characters have a spiritual/faith dimension. Kitty’s Fire began as a secular book with some faith elements, but since then has morphed into a Christian novel.

When I first entered contests that had a general Inspirational Category, I discovered some judges didn’t like suspense. Also, I pondered if my books or voice may have seemed too edgy for mainstream inspirational. So I experimented by entering both inspirational and secular contest categories.

I was excited that although Tread Softly and Kitty’s Fire are inspirational books they finaled in secular categories in the Golden Heart. Meanwhile, my writing skills have improved and the CBA market has also evolved. I’m thrilled that Kitty’s Fire finaled in the GH Inspirational category this year. It’s a milestone for me.

I feel privileged to be able to write inspirational books. My faith is very important in my life, and if God can’t be a part of my writing journey, then I’m on the wrong road.
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Kelly Ann’s Process

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•Your love of writing goes back many years to when your won awards for your short stories in elementary school and when you were a writer and editor for your high school paper. How do you balance writing and editing today? Does your internal editor take a break when you’re in creation mode, or do you have to make a conscious effort to stay in your zone?

This is an area I’m still striving to get balanced. Ideally I would like to be able to turn out new pages each day while working on editing another project. However, sometimes one or the other process will grab all my attention, and before I know it, it’s time to start supper.

When I write a first draft, I tell myself that I can always fix it later. I just let it flow out onto the page. Sometimes I end up with a big mess to clean up, but at least I have something to work with.

When I’m editing I tend to get bogged down because I always think the writing could be better. I’ll tinker with it until a deadline looms and I have to turn it in. So you could say deadlines are my friends, or I’d never get anything finished.

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•As coordinator of two big contests, you’re obviously an organized person. Does this carry over into your writing, leading you to draft outlines, synopses and character sketches before you begin a first draft? Or does a story take hold and pour forth with little advance planning?

I’m a writing how-to book junkie and love trying new methods. Every project has been different. Sometimes I’ll plot ahead using a computer program, charts, or index cards. Other times the story is so strong I write first and worry about how it will all fit together later.
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Peaks

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•You have a healthy number of contest wins. Which have meant the most to you, and why?

All the contest finals and wins have been wonderful, and I’m grateful to the coordinators and judges who work so hard at giving unpublished writers a boot up. I think the most memorable contest final was my first in 2003 when I finaled in the Daphne contest. I didn’t win, but after years of entering contests, I felt like I’d finally reached a new level with my writing skills.

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•In March of 2007, you received a very special call from RWA with the news that you were a Golden Heart finalist for the first time. And then the calls came again the next two years telling you Kitty’s Fire had finaled a second time. How did you respond the first time? Were you just as excited this year?

That first year I almost didn’t answer the phone. I didn’t realize calls were going out, and I was in shock. Then all my whooping and hollering sent the cats scrambling for cover. Those whoops of joy would escape me at odd moments for days afterward. I couldn’t believe that after years of entering the contest, I was finalist. It was overwhelming, but really cool.

The second and third times were amazing too because there are such awesome writers that enter the contest, and I feel so privileged to be able to experience being a finalist more than once.
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•You’ve had an agent for a couple of years. What was your reaction when she offered representation? What’s the best part about working with her?

Actually it was my first Golden Heart finaling manuscript, Tread Softly, that caught the eye of Kelly Mortimer of the Mortimer Literary Agency. After several months of correspondence, I signed with her at the RWA conference in Dallas.

Kelly is a hands-on agent who specializes in helping the unpublished writer become published. She assists me in getting my manuscripts as polished as they can be before we send them out. Plus, she’s a great cheerleader and pushes her clients to do their best.
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Valleys

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•You’ve finaled in several contests. But if you’re like most of us, there have been disappointing results as well. How do you deal with less than desirable feedback? Stock up on chocolate? Call a friend to vent? Or shove the score sheets in the back of your closet?

My advice to new writers has been if you are going to enter contests, enter a lot of them. If disappointing results come back, at least you know you still have something out there. There’s always that hope you’ll get judges who love your work, and the entry will be sent on to an editor or agent.

I’ve used contests not only to get in books front of editors/agents but also as testing ground to see how a new idea will be received. If the response is generally negative I might put that book on the backburner until I have more time to analyze it and see if it is worth finishing.

I’ve learned some useful things from judges. I’ve had some negative experiences too, and I don’t always take judges’ comments well. I’ll vent over a judge’s negative remark to my family, critique partners, and anyone who will listen. This may go on for hours or days until I’ll either toss the advice or decide that maybe the judge did know what she was talking about, and I’ll re-examine the issue. Also, if other judges point out the same things, I then know there is a problem that may not just be a subjective opinion.
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•You’ve completed a number of manuscripts and have written thousands of words. Is there a story that will never see the light of day? Or perhaps you’ve had to chop whole sections out of your works-in-progress? How did you deal with putting aside pieces you’d poured your heart into?

Over time it’s become easier to set manuscripts aside or chop out sections. I’m learning to look at my writing as product. It’s like ripping off a Band-aid. You do it quickly, and it doesn’t hurt quiet as bad. Also, I save the material in a file on the computer so I know that if I ever need it, it’s not really gone. There’s some solace in that.
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Partners on Kelly Ann’s Journey

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•You’re a member of two critique groups. How did you find these writing partners? How do you go about exchanging your work?

Although I’ve belong to a couple critique groups, over the years I’ve come to rely more on my critique partner, Caroline (Cee) Dunsheath. She has faithfully edited almost everything I’ve written—sometimes multiple times—without complaint. Also my agent, Kelly Mortimer, is an awesome critiquer and helps me give the manuscripts a final polish before going out in the world.

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•What type of critiquer are you? A detail-oriented micro reader or a big-picture macro reader?

I would probably say more macro at this point. I’m trying to learn to be more detail-oriented too.
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Kelly Ann’s Journey Continues

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•Finaling in the Golden Heart is a great honor and yet it’s no guarantee of publication. You have an agent. Is she using your final to get Kitty’s Fire out on submission? Do you have other works making the rounds?

My agent does mention my Golden Heart and other contest accomplishments when marketing my work. My first GH manuscript, Tread Softly, had revisions requested on it for one house and made it as far the acquisitions committee. The timing wasn’t right for purchase, but maybe things will change in the future.

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•What are you working on now and what ideas are percolating? More romantic suspense and mystery, or is a historical more likely?

Right now I’m working on a historical romantic series set during the Alaskan Gold Rush. The first book, The Promise, finaled this year in the Daphne Contest. I’m also editing some of my earlier books, which I’m hoping will make rounds with publishers this fall.
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Five Fun Facts About Kelly Ann

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1) What food fuels your creative fire?

Any. I’m an equal opportunity junk food consumer. But ideally, I’d say blueberries or fresh fruit are great to nibble on. They send fuel to the brain. Not so ideally, crackers, popcorn, pretzels help keep me awake during those late night writing sessions. I like to use chocolate as a reward, but it sometimes sneaks in during my writing sessions too. Also the aroma of coffee gets me fired up to get to my desk.

2) Do you set strict daily word count goals, or do you write when inspiration strikes?

I find setting writing goals really easy. I love organizers and calendars. However, sticking to my carefully planned schedule and doing the actual work is not so easy. I’m still striving to be more consistent. I find that once I get rolling, the writing picks up speed. If inspiration isn’t there, I just plunge ahead anyway. Writing for me is mostly rewriting.

3) If your agent called to say she’d sold your story to your dream house, which would that be, and why?

At this point, I’d say any publishing house that buys my book would be my dream house. Seriously, I have met so many wonderful editors from different publishing houses, it’d be hard choose just one.

4) What are some of the most exciting places you’ve visited?

Back in the 80s I went to Austria with my soon-to-be husband on a ski trip and we toured some of the surrounding countries in-between skiing in the Alps. I knew he was my dream man when he didn’t blink an eye at the sudden suggestion of this trip. We’ve had fun traveling in and out of the US ever since. Some other exciting places I’ve enjoyed visiting are Canada, Mexico, Kauai, Jamaica, and the Grand Caymans. Some of my favorite cities are New York; San Francisco; Denver; Venice, Italy and Innsbruck, Austria.

5) What are three words your family and friends would use to describe you? Do you agree or disagree with them?

Worrier—As a suspense writer my imagination is always coming up with possible disasters or consequences whenever someone steps out of the house. Drives my kids nuts, especially since my son has learned to drive.

Persevering—My engineer husband—who’s journeyed with me through my ups and downs—once said he couldn’t understand why anyone would write for a living on purpose. But he has remained supportive though the years since I refuse to quit.

Introvert (sometimes)—Although I enjoy traveling and attending writers’ conferences, I’m very content being at home with my family, pets and computer.
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Kelly Ann’s Question for You

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•I’ve enjoyed having you as my guest, Kelly Ann. Thanks for your great answers to my questions. And now it’s your turn to ask a question of your visitors. What would you like to know?

We all know that wonderful characters make great stories, and I’m curious what attracts readers to certain personalities. Why are some characters more cherished and memorable than others? Do we see ourselves in them? Or long to live their lives, even for a little while?

If you could be a character in one of your favorite books for 24 hours who would you like to be? And why?
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Learn More About Kelly Ann

Visit her Web site: http://www.KellyAnnRiley.com

Friend her on Facebook: Kelly Ann Riley

Follow her on Twitter: Kelly Ann Riley
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Leave a Comment for Three Chances to Win

Kelly Ann’s Drawing

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Leave a comment on Kelly Ann’s blog post before midnight June 15th (PST) for a chance to win a B&N $15 Gift Card, which she has generously donated. Kelly Ann will randomly draw a name, which she’ll post  in the comment section on June 16th. (I will email the winner, get the needed address information and forward it to Kelly Ann, who will mail the card.)

Congratulations to Kelly Ann’s winner: Jacqui Jacoby!

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Keli’s Drawing

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My next drawing will take place June 20th. The winner will receive a travel-friendly fabric tote bag just the right size for a day trip or errand run.

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To enter the drawing, just leave a comment on any blog post by June 20th and enter your email address when prompted. (I don’t share your information or add it to any mailing lists.) On June 21st, I’ll post the winner’s name in the Welcome post at the top of the blog.
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You could also win a First Sale Scrapbook!

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If you’d like to have a chance at winning a First Sale Scrapbook created by me, your blog hostess Keli Gwyn, leave a comment on any post between now and June 30th. Be sure to include your name and email address when prompted if you want to be entered in the drawing. (Your information will not be shared.) Click red link above to see samples of covers and pages.

On July 1st, I will choose one person who will have her/his choice of several covers on an 8×8 inch, twenty-page scrapbook in which s/he can document that long-awaited first sale. The pages will cover various milestones including The Call, signing the contract, receiving the first advance payment and holding your “firstborn” in your hands.

(No scrapbooking skills required. You just add your photos and journaling.)