Originally, I wasn't going to write a Christmas story because I thought it was too much of a niche, but then I was invited to join a Christmas novella collection a few years ago and I discovered it was really fun to write a whole story based around Christmas. What's more romantic than falling in love around the holidays?
My book Mama Dated Santa is set in a toy store during the month leading up to Christmas. Nick, manager of the store, is struggling to keep his store afloat despite the holiday season. Trudy is brought in to help revamp the store. Neither of them love Christmas, but each decides to help the other fall back in love with the holiday, and in turn discover they might be falling in love with each other too.
The novella collection A Match Made at Christmas is four stories about people who are having to deal with matchmakers during the holidays. An eight-year-old boy, a young "Emma"esque woman, some feisty older ladies, and a group of mischievous teens. Each story is unique and warm, just perfect for the season.
What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?
Every year, my family makes sure we make and decorate cookies together. We also love to heat up some hot chocolate and drive around looking at lights while listening to Christmas music. My kids would never forgive me if we skipped either of those traditions.
I have another novella collection releasing mid-February called Pets Amore. Each story revolves around a couple and animal or two, from hamsters to parrots to puppies and goats. It's full of fun.
Any last words or tips?
If God puts a story on your heart, it's a blessing. Write it down even if no one reads it but you.
Then, in July, my book Rendersella, a fun modern-day Cinderella retelling comes out. It's set in West Virginia. Ella Renders just wants her artwork to hang in the Prince Art Gallery. When her stepsister claims the drawing as her own, can Ella convince Chaz Prince that she is the one who deserves to win the contest?
What’s the best writing tip you’ve learned or been given you’d like to share?
You can't edit what isn't written. In other words, turn your editor off while you're writing and just get the words down so you can edit it later. Otherwise, you might get too hung up on editing as you go and never let yourself finish writing.
What do you know now about writing and publishing you wish you had learned sooner?
As a writer, you have to be your own marketer too. I wish I had known this in college, when I could have taken a marketing class or two. Instead, I have had to learn as I went. And some days I'm definitely better at it than others.
As a writer, you have to be your own marketer too. I wish I had known this in college, when I could have taken a marketing class or two. Instead, I have had to learn as I went. And some days I'm definitely better at it than others.
If God puts a story on your heart, it's a blessing. Write it down even if no one reads it but you.
That's all for today's interview. Hope you'll check out her books. And here's how to do that
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