Kick-off to the Christmas Blog Posts Season and Giveaways!

Drum roll, please…🥁🥁Get ready for a joyful journey through the world of Christmas-themed books! Starting today through Christmas, my blog posts will be filled with chats from various authors, who will share their unique writing approach for holiday books. You’ll hear about heartwarming children's tales to gripping suspense stories, cozy mysteries, romantic comedies, and nostalgic historical romances. 

In these posts, each author will share their favorite Christmas traditions, the inspiration behind their festive books, and valuable writing tips. Plus, you'll get an exclusive sneak peek into their upcoming projects. And since we’re celebrating the season of giving, there will be an assortment of giveaways sprinkled generously throughout the season!

To kick it off, I’m highlighting my own Christmas themed books. The first book is ‘Twas the Day Before Christmas. When you feel like a "Bah Humbug to Christmas" coming on, grab a mug of hot cocoa and let your spirit be lifted as you rediscover the true meaning of Christmas in this delightful picture book for adults and children to share. It's written in the poetic style of Clement Moore's poem. But rather than focus on Santa, this story is told from a Christian perspective, with Christ’s birth as the reason for the season.

The second book, Please Let Santa fly, tells about the push to put Santa on the naughty list, even though he is the essence of good. Who is behind this push to make Santa the number one offender of being naughty? Maybe it's payback from someone who doesn't like being on the naughty list. You'll giggle and laugh at the funny antics around the North Pole and beyond to resolve this issue. Then decide for yourself if you're on Team Santa Nice list or Team Santa Naughty list.

Both of these books are currently only available in eBook format. I'm waiting for my final proof and edit for the print version. Hopefully, both will be available as paperback editions next week.

So, snuggle up with a cup of hot cocoa and join me in celebrating the magic of Christmas in the most delightful way—through the joy of reading.

If you'd like to learn more about these books and others I've written, here's the link to my Amazon author page. https://www.amazon.com/stores/Christine-L.-Henderson/author/B09L2Y7XNP

Now for my giveaway… one lucky reader all receive an eBook of my newest cookbook filled with easy to do recipes ranging from tantalizing appetizers to yummy desserts. See the cover to the left.

Leave a short post below telling me about one of your favorite recipes and you'll be entered into the drawing for next week. 

It's Beginning to Read a Lot Like Christmas: Featuring Mona Ingram

How did you come up with the idea for your Christmas book? Could you give a short synopsis on the book for my readers?

As with most of my books, the idea evolved over time. I find that before I start writing, the stories bounce around in my head for a while. When I can’t stop thinking about them, and the characters become real, a little voice says “Hey, you’ve got something there,” and I start to outline.

In the case of the Dear Santa series, I wanted the stories to build a community of people and had the idea to loosely connect the stories to a shopping mall in a town on Vancouver Island. The idea of a mall at Christmas conjures up a lot of ideas, so I’m glad I settled on that. As I’m writing this blog there are six books in the series, and I have a rough idea and the first few pages written for the next. As with many authors, my regular life was put on hold for Covid, but I’m slowly getting back to normal, and it feels good.

The first book in the series – the one that’s free so readers can get an idea of what to expect – is called The Party. Without giving too much away, Paige owns a deli in the mall and has been hired to cater a party for RL Donovan, the town’s elusive high-tech entrepreneur. In the end he doesn’t come to his own Christmas party, but she meets Jake, the head of the clean-up crew and they have a quiet coffee after the guests have gone home.

Paige rarely discusses her brother, but there’s something about Jake that encourages her to open up and she tells him about Simon’s high functioning autism. She’s his caregiver which makes relationships difficult, as the men she’s dated are generally unsure about Simon. But Jake is different, and by the time they say goodnight, she finds herself hoping he’ll call to ask her out. The story evolves as expected, and includes a secondary romance involving her friend Paige and Jake’s friend Damian.

The inclusion of autism in the storyline has tugged at a lot of hearts, generating quite a few comments. I do not personally know anyone with autism, but the response pleases me.

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?
I’ve always found that the simple Christmas traditions are best. I recall making sugar cookies with my mother and decorating them with what was at hand in the cupboard. Another fond memory relates to books. One of my friends and I always got Nancy Drew mysteries. Our mothers would make sure we didn’t get the same books so we could exchange, which was usually in the afternoon of Christmas Day. My one restriction was that I wasn’t allowed to leave the house for the book exchange until I’d written all my Thank You letters. Not a bad ‘tradition’, come to think of it.

What’s the best writing tip you’ve learned or been given you’d like to share?
Aha. Writing tips. The best one is from Stephen King’s book On Writing. His advice is that once you’ve typed The End, set the book aside for several weeks (he says six but that’s a long time), and then go back to it. The areas needing improvement will jump out. He’s right.I didn’t start writing until I was retired, so I didn’t have any illusions about becoming rich and famous. But I do know that if you don’t enjoy it, your writing will show that lack of enthusiasm. Yes, some days it can be difficult to sit down at the keyboard, but don’t set unrealistic goals. When you aren’t ‘feeling it’, take some time off until the urge to write comes back.

What do you know now about writing and publishing you wish you had learned sooner?
Writing is a business. Act professionally and if criticism bothers you, don’t read your reviews. There’s always someone who, for whatever reason, feels a compulsion to take your story apart. Join online groups with other writers. Take your time absorbing what type of group it is, and leave if you don’t like what they’re saying. Be judicious. Your time is valuable.

Also, you’ll find dozens of people and sites that promise the world if you buy their product. This can range from editing to marketing info, to buying ads. This is where a good solid writing group comes in. Many groups sort posts into subjects, which is helpful. Hint: explore the site before asking questions. But most of all, have fun.

That's all for today's interview. I hope you'll check out Mona's books. Amazon lists 77 titles with her name. You're sure to find something you'll like. And here's a special bonus for you. She has eight different series ranging from 3 to 8 books per series. The first eBook in each series is FREE You can find them here: https://www.monaingram.com/first-book-in-series-free

It's Beginning to Read a Lot Like Christmas: Featuring Becki Willis and her Texas Christmas Mystery

How did you come up with the idea for your Christmas book? Could you give a short synopsis on the book for my readers?

I knew I wanted to write a Christmas-themed book at some point and the timing was right for the characters and storyline of The Sisters, Texas Mystery Series.

Madison Reynolds can’t wait for Christmas this year. Rebuilding her life as a single mom hasn’t been easy, but after a challenging twelve months, she’s excited about the holidays. The tinsel begins to tangle when someone targets the community for a series of ‘Christmas Crimes.’ Ready or not, Christmas is on its way, and time is running out to create the holiday of their dreams. As the house fills with unexpected guests, Madison and the twins honor favorite traditions from the past while creating a few new ones of their own.

Who has time for being kidnapped by men in Santa suits and bad beards? This is one Christmas that no one in The Sisters will ever forget!

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?

My favorite tradition is having all the family together under one roof. Even though they live nearby, our children and grandchildren spend the night at our house. Long before it was a ‘thing’, I bought matching pajamas for our family, which we open on Christmas Eve (which may or maybe not be Dec.24.) On the big day, we open stockings, have a huge breakfast, and then open gifts from under the tree. Call me obsessive, but I have a special paper for each person. The kids love choosing theirs, and it eliminates nametags.

For this book, I had a big Christmas in July contest for readers and asked them to submit their own favorite traditions. The winning entry was featured in the book—stockings hung on the children’s doors to entertain them early on Christmas morning while Santa arranged things under the tree.

What’s next? 

Christmas in The Sisters was Book 6 in The Sisters, Texas Mystery Series. Book 14, Murder at the Stroke of Midnight, debuts in December and is revolves around a New Year’s Eve masquerade ball.

What’s the best writing tip you’ve learned or been given you’d like to share?

To believe in myself. At first, it was hard for me to tell people I was an author. Having confidence in myself made a huge difference and helped others to see me as a professional.

What do you know now about writing and publishing you wish you had learned sooner?

Don’t wait to chase your dream! I’ve wanted to be an author since childhood, but it took me almost fifty years to finally make it happen.

Any last words or tips?

Country singer Cody Johnson said it best: “If you’ve got a dream, chase it, ‘Cause the dream won’t chase you back.”

Are there any other books that you’d like to tell my readers about?

While The Sisters, Texas Mystery Series is by far my biggest claim to fame, I have three additional series, a new one in the making, and several stand-alone books, for a total of nearly thirty titles. You can learn more about all of them at my website. 

That's all for today's Christmas reads. If you'd like to learn more about Becki's books, here are the links to get you started. 

www.beckiwillis.com

https://www.amazon.com/Becki-Willis/e/B00J4B6MTE

It's Beginning to Read a Lot Like Christmas: Featuring a Christmas Mystery with J.K. Litton

How did you come up with the idea for your Christmas book? Could you give a short synopsis on the book for my readers?

I came up with the idea for Naughty or Dead when my husband and I were getting ready to sell our house in Connecticut. While packing up Christmas decorations, and feeling nostalgic about the New England Christmases that I was about to say goodbye to, the opening scene for the book popped into my head. I’d already decided that I wanted to write a cozy romantic mystery series and I’d come up with the setting—the fictitious town of Mulberry Falls—so I had a fairly good idea of what would happen next.

Here are the details... When Santa turns up dead in his sled during the holiday pageant in the charming Westchester County village of Mulberry Falls, former paralegal Verity Valence reluctantly becomes involved. Newly returned to her hometown after the law firm where she worked blew up in a scandal, Verity has her hands full dealing with her wily Aunt Temperance, her former high school boyfriend, now Detective Ethan Lowell and her own cloudy future. Can she discover who’s trying to take the ho-ho-ho out of the holidays before she finds herself up to her candy cane earrings in not-so-merry mayhem? 

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is getting together with my daughter, grand-daughter and friends to bake holiday cookies, including those my mother taught me to make.  Besides all the delicious smells and tempting treats, I love sharing this time with wonderful, strong women and passing along the traditions that helped make us that way.

What’s next for you in writing?

Naughty or Dead is the first book in my new cozy romantic series set in the fictitious town of Mulberry Falls. This is a big departure for me after so many years of writing straight-up romance. I’m enjoying every moment of it.

What’s the best writing tip you’ve learned or been given you’d like to share?

Do a first draft of each scene or chapter with your inner critic turned off.  Just let the inspiration flow. Don’t try to analyze, second guess or improve anything. You can do all that later. It took me awhile to learn how to do this and I can still only manage it in bursts of about fifteen minutes or so. But it’s probably the single best writing technique I’ve come across.

What do you know now about writing and publishing you wish you had learned sooner?

Writing and publishing are birds of very different feathers. Whether you’re published through a publishing house or independently, writers today essentially have to wear two hats—the creative and the business. Learning how to switch between them can be challenging but it’s well worth the effort.

Any last words or tips?

Don’t give up. A desire to write and some degree of talent gets you to the starting line. What happens after that is a matter of hard work, discipline and persistence.

That's all for today's interview. Here's a link to her newsletter to keep you updated on her books. Subscribe to J.K. Litton's Newsletter. You’ll ONLY get updates when she's promoting such as a new book, sneak peeks, freebies or a sale from the  Mulberry Falls Cozy Romantic Mysteries. And here's your chance to get a FREE eBook. But you need to act now - only available for FREE till 12/16. Here's the link

 

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas: Featuring Anita Heath

How did you come up with the idea for your Christmas book? Could you give a short synopsis on the book for my readers?

A Christmas Carol is one of my favorite Christmas stories, so Project Scrooge is my take on the classic story, but without the ghosts. There are so many existing retellings that it’s hard to come up with original material, but I took up the challenge as a brainteaser. When the perfect idea hit me, I ran away with it. I actually ended up writing the first draft in three days. It’s even written in staves in honor of the original.

My Scrooge, Sandford Stone, is bitter over a failed engagement. Like Scrooge, Sanford has allowed his feelings to grow deep roots until it colors his personality and all of his relationships. In place of the traditional ghosts, Sanford’s friends and family come together to challenge him to a month of Christmas traditions, in the hopes they can bring him out of his bitter prison. While he dreads 31 days of Christmas, spending 31 days with his beautiful ex-best friend proves to be the hardest part.

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?

I love it all! Christmas is my favorite. I love the quiet moments, late at night when only the Christmas tree lights are on. I love the family meals. I especially love the rare days when Christmas falls on Sunday. There’s something ultra special about being in church those mornings. 

And I love the special traditions we’ve crafted within our family. Like watching Christmas movies at Momma’s the day after Thanksgiving while we eat leftovers. The Christmas tamales!! And serving two different meals every Christmas for my husband, children, and extended family.

What’s next in writing for you? 

I have the 3rd Christmas in Garland novella releasing November 7th. It’s called It Came Upon a Midnight Clear and features a pregnant single woman and a recovering NFL player. It’s a beautiful, inspiring story full of laughter, forgiveness, and a cozy inn at Christmas.

What’s the best writing tip you’ve learned or been given you’d like to share?

“There are 3 rules to writing but no one knows what they are.” That was the first impactful word of advice I came along in my writing, and it’s something that I hold close to. There are so many well-meaning words of advice for new writers, that it can become oppressive. I’m all for learning, but the more you learn, the more you’re going to hear conflicting advice. There are certain things that are simply optional. 

Trends tend to turn into unwritten expectations, that at times ought to be broken … and at times followed. But HOW you write varies from author to author. And while some advice seems to be written in stone, it really isn’t. New authors need to learn when to turn a deaf ear to advice and just go do the thing that drives them.

It doesn’t really matter if you write in the morning or at night. By hand, on your phone, or in a writing program. If you edit while you write or don’t edit until you reach the end. Those examples are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to “best” practices. The key is to test several things out and determine what works best for you. Don’t get caught up, trying to write like the experts, because the experts can’t even agree on how to do it.

What do you know now about writing and publishing you wish you had learned sooner?

Writing for publication takes a LONG time. Every book seems to take longer than we think it should, but the first book in particular will always take years longer. There isn’t a set timeline and it does differ from author to author. But a mistake many authors make is rushing their first book or being discouraged when it takes longer than expected. 

Quality work SHOULD take time. And a debut author just doesn't know how much they don’t know until they’re confronted with it. But this is normal. And it should encourage you to know that. Every publication after your first will build on your knowledge so it’ll get easier. But don’t rush the first one, and don’t be discouraged when it takes longer than you expected.


Any last words or tips?

Goals are nice to shoot for but don’t let your goals control you or determine your worth based on whether or not you can meet them. There are a lot of things out of your control. I think so many authors discourage themselves by setting up unrealistic expectations and forcing themselves to live up to them. I know I’ve been guilty.

The Lord is constantly teaching me to remain flexible. There are areas where I should work harder on maintaining priorities and striving for goals, but there are areas where I don’t need to force it but accept my abilities during that season.

Are there any other books that you’d like to tell my readers about?

I love to write edifying Christian romances. It’s important to me that I not only entertain my readers but I also feed their souls. I write over a wide range of settings. So far that includes the American Civil War, time travel to the 1880s, the Great Depression, 1950s, 1980s, and of course the present day.

One of my most popular series is The Art of Love. These stories take place in the 1950s and contain powerful love stories. Dance With Me is my personal favorite about rival ballroom dancers partnering together for a televised competition. But Painted Memories is equally powerful and was a 2022 Selah Finalist. It’s about a soldier with amnesia and his former fiancée who thinks he’s dead.

That's all for today's interview. Anita has a dozen books for you to look over and if you sign up for her newsletter, you'll get 2 FREE stories to read and one is a Christmas theme.

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/dDbVNz
Website: https://christianauthoramheath.net/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/A-M-Heath/e/B00MQD5DX8

It's beginning to Read a Lot Like Christmas: Featuring Sheila Roberts

Today's featured author has published almost 50 books. With all those books, it's not surprising that she's a frequent USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author. If you're not familiar with her writing, it's time you learned about it. Read on...

How did you come up with the idea for your Christmas book? Could you give a short synopsis on the book for my readers?

This is a road trip book, following three branches of the same family as they make their way to their holiday destination. We have Max and Michelle, on the verge of divorce, Hazel and Warren, the grandparents, still in love but facing some health challenges (and “eek” moments along the way), and the sisters Audrey and Shyla. Ah, sisters. Gotta love ‘em. And speaking of love, maybe Audrey will finally find true love thanks to a flat tire. It’s always so hard to pin down how you come up with ideas. I think sometimes, they just drop into my head. This one certainly did.

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without the big, extended family gathering. My family is big and boisterous and lots of fun. Our Christmas Eve includes playing games, singing carols, and, of course, reading the Christmas story from the Bible before we eat. And, speaking of eating, when my own little family gathers, my kids expect red velvet cake. One year I thought it would be fun to try something different. Boy, did I hear about that!

What’s next in writing for you?

I’m happy to share that the Great American Family channel featured a movie inspired by my novel, Christmas on Candy Cane Lane, that aired earlier this month. Come spring I will have another installment of my Moonlight Harbor series out – Mermaid Beach – so lots of fun things coming up.

What’s the best writing tip you’ve learned or been given you’d like to share?

I think the most important thing I learned was don’t stop with your first draft. Plots often need expanding, characters deepened, writing polished. So take your time!

What do you know now about writing and publishing you wish you had learned sooner?

To “pick a horse and ride it” – settle into one genre or type and stay there. When I was first writing I was all over the map, trying to write all kinds of things. While that was great fun, it took me longer to get a career foothold. It’s much easier to build a reader base when you focus in on one thing.

Any last words or tips?

Be persistent and never stop learning! Your local library and bookstore have a treasure trove of books on writing. We should all always be working to improve our craft.

Are there any other books that you’d like to tell my readers about?

Let me mention one more. My novel, A Little Christmas Spirit, has been re-released this year and is available in mass market paperback form. It’s truly one of my favorites and I am so in love with the message behind it.

That's all for today's interview. If you love Christmas stories, check out the books on her website. She has a bunch of them for you to enjoy! And she has a current giveaway this month of 2 of her books to one reader as part of Writerspace.com. So sign up for her contest, you could be a winner. Here's the link. https://sheilasplace.com/contests/

Here are two other ways to connect with her as well! 

http://www.sheilasplace.com

https://www.facebook.com/funwithsheila/

It's Beginning to Read a Lot Like Christmas: Featuring Katherine Karrol

How did you come up with the idea for your Christmas book? Could you give a short synopsis on the book for my readers?
The idea for this story came in a flash. My mom told me about an interesting story she read, and I was so fascinated by one little tidbit in it that within 20 minutes, I had the story of Ava Barton’s visit to the small town of Hideaway in northern Michigan ready in my head. (If I tell what the story or tidbit were, I’ll ruin part of the book!)

When Ava and her son get into a minor car accident while they’re visiting the small town of Hideaway, it puts a wrench into her plans to get in and out of town quickly. Only she and her best friend know the reason for the visit, and she intends to keep it that way. The accident and her subsequent transportation-less state puts them in the company of the cop who is determined to find out what is at the heart of their visit, so he finds ways to spend plenty of time with them. Neither Ava nor Max are looking for love, but God delivers it anyway ~ it is a romance, after all! Stay for Love is the first book in the new Hearts of Summit Series, and it takes place between the week before Thanksgiving and Christmas.

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?
I love everything about the Christmas season ~ which for me starts somewhere around September with Christmas books and movies. Decorating the tree with ornaments that have special memories, putting little Christmas touches all around the house, lots of baking and hot chocolate, the candlelight service at church . . . I could go on forever about my favorite things. There’s just such a feeling of warmth and coziness at this time of year!

What’s next in writing for you? 
The follow-up book to Stay for Love, which starts just after Christmas with a character from the first book in the series, is my almost-constant companion these days. The story is really fun, and I’m trying hard to get it ready for release in time for Christmas this year!

What’s the best writing tip you’ve learned or been given you’d like to share?
Focus on getting the books written above all else. I followed the advice to have at least a few books published before doing any marketing, and I’m so glad I did! I know that a lot of people disagree with that advice and focus on marketing right away, but if I would have done that early on, I never would have finished a book. By the time I started doing all of the non-writing tasks that we have to do, I was so in love with the writing itself (and my imaginary friends in the books) that nothing could have stopped me.

What do you know now about writing and publishing you wish you had learned sooner?
I wish I would have planned out my first series better. I’ve been able to make some tweaks to the books to help with my lack of planning, but it’s not the same as knowing going in what book will be next.

Any last words or tips?
Keep your eyes on the “why” of writing. I started doing it completely on a lark, but I wanted to write the kind of books that I like to read ~ Christian romances that have some humor and snark, that aren’t preachy or heavy, and that give hope. We all desperately need escape right now, and I aim to provide it.

Are there any other books that you’d like to tell my readers about?
My first series, the Summit County Series, is set in the same world as Stay for Love and the Hearts of Summit Series. There are crossovers with some characters, so no matter which series is read first, there will be familiar faces in the next one.

That's all for today's interview. If you'd like to learn more about Katherine's books, check out her Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/Katherine-Karrol/e/B07H6WVTDT or you can sign up for her Newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/s3y2v2

It's Beginning to Read a Lot Like Christmas: Featuring Lynn Dean and Gail Kittleson

How did you come up with the idea for your Christmas book? Could you give a short synopsis on the book for my readers?
I met Gail Kittleson when she was researching for her novel Land That I Love, which she set in the Texas Hill Country. We had so much fun as I drove her to the various places mentioned in her book, and she was able to make many contacts for that book's launch. And so, last September, she came again, and we had more fun. :) At each presentation, readers would tell us stories from their parents' and grandparents' eras. Talking as we drove, we thought how much fun it would be to work on a Christmas collection set in various Hill Country towns in various eras of history. We acquired three new members for our team, and 11 months later...voila!

Here's how we summarized our book on the back cover:
"A Hill Country Christmas - Hope for Hardscrabble Times is a collection of 18 holiday stories from every corner of the Texas Hill Country. Five different authors make history come alive in these multi-cultural narratives about life and death, humor and sadness, heartache and romance, the blessings of Christmas and the triumph of the human spirit.
The holiday season isn’t always easy, but these stories are filled with inspiration from Christmas Past and hope for the difficult times we live in today."

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?
That can be an interesting question in Texas! Unlike the Hallmark Christmas Specials, it rarely snows here. Christmas may or may not even be cold. In addition, we have such a unique blend of cultures that families tend to mix and mingle traditions from several heritages. My own family blends the traditions of our Scot, English, German, and Hispanic experiences. Our decorations include plaid accents, German candles on the tree, and a cactus wreath in the courtyard. Most of the Christmas cookies I bake are family recipes from my husband's German side, but on Christmas Eve we always eat tamales to honor the years we lived in the Rio Grande Valley...and a Coastal Boil of shrimp, crab, new potatoes, and corn on the cob just because.

What’s next in writing for you? 
Gail returned for a third visit when we launched A Hill Country Christmas on October 1. We've maxed out every available opportunity to visit libraries, historical societies, and book stores during the week-long launch, AND we'll be together again when we lead our Deep in the Heart Indie Writers' Retreat February 27-March 1, 2023. There are plenty of interesting towns and history in the Texas Hill Country! We intend to create a second edition of A Hill Country Christmas for the 2023 holiday season and are considering several series concepts with stories set in the same area.

What’s the best writing tip you’ve learned or been given you’d like to share?
Don't be afraid to experiment! There's really no such thing as a great writer...just great editors and REwriters. You never know what might work until you try it, and if you aren't sure you like it, you can always try again.

What do you know now about writing and publishing you wish you had learned sooner?
I've learned SO much about marketing in the last year or two! I'm very glad to have discovered many new ways to help people find a book they'll love.

Any last words or tips?
It really is true that we do best when we "write what we know." No two people have exactly the same history, experiences, or perspectives. That's what makes life interesting...and that's what makes WRITING interesting!

Are there any other books that you’d like to tell my readers about?
In addition to the Discover Texas History curriculum which was my first foray into professional writing, I have two historical fiction novels--More Precious Than Gold and Stronger Than Mountains--set in New Mexico Territory in the tumultuous gold rush during the Reconstruction Era.

That's all for today's interview. I hope you check out these books. Having lived in the Texas Hill Country myself, I can tell you the history is amazing. Though I now live in Florida, I still have tamales at Christmas and enjoy reading stories from this area. 

Here's your opportunity to score FREE eBook, Lynn will choose one winner from all those who sign up for her Inner Circle of readers in the next 5 days. Sign up here

A Hill Country Christmas - Hope for Hardscrapple Times

Land That I Love by Gail Kittleson

More Precious Than Gold by Lynn Dean
Stronger Than Mountains by Lynn Dean

It's Beginning to Read a Lot Like Christmas: Featuring Carla Jansen

How did you come up with the idea for your book Christmas book? Could you give a short synopsis on the book for my readers?      

Last year my daughters (then 5 & 8 years old) told me I needed a Christmas yeti book, so I did what I was told! Ten Very Merry Yetis is a fun counting, rhyming Christmas story for preschoolers about a group of yetis trying to find and decorate the perfect Christmas tree! 

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?
Our family has a tradition (that we got from my husband's family) of eating Swedish Meatballs and Lefse on Christmas Eve. On Christmas morning, we either have dry cereal or leftover meatballs for breakfast!

What’s the latest scoop about your writing? 
A Dinosaur Made Me Spill was released in October --it's a hilarious story about how an ancient dinosaur wrecked a modern-day tea party!      

Also, the yetis arrived for a fun fall adventure with pumpkin pie in A Very Yeti Pumpkin Pie!

What’s the best writing tip you’ve learned or been given you’d like to share?
Don't be afraid of major edits! My first book (A Dinosaur Made Me Sneeze) went through more than 50 major changes! Sometimes I will save a copy of my story and then make a new version of it to experiment with major edits. I'm always happier after the changes, but somehow having that "backup" version makes it easier to tear apart (and rebuild better!) the newer version!

What do you know now about writing and publishing you wish you had learned sooner?
I think a lot of self-publishers don't realize that publishing during November or December doesn't help you or your books. I didn't realize this for my first book, but I wish I had just waited until January or February.

Any last words or tips?
Don't be afraid to try something new! I like to try everything, so I still feel like I have a lot to learn!

Are there any other books that you’d like to tell my readers about?
I have 3 series right now:
1- A Dinosaur Made Me Sneeze; A Dinosaur Made Me Spill; A Dinosaur Made Me... (this one is a surprise...it's still a year away!)

2- Nonfiction Books for Young Children: Do You Have a Heart?, Who Needs a Volcano?, When Will Cicada Sing?, Can You Swim?

3- (Coming Soon!) Books for Emergent Readers: I am a Dinosaur (coming soon!)

That's all for today's interview. If you'd like to learn more about Carla's books, here are some links to get you started.

Ten Very Merry Yetis: https://www.amazon.com/Carla-Mae-Jansen/e/B08QTT4FQG
Website, Turtle Trails Publishing: https://www.turtletrailspublishing.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/turtletrailspublishing
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carla.mae.jansen/

It's Beginning to Read a Lot Like Christmas: Featuring Gina Kirkland

How did you come up with the idea for your book? Could you give a short synopsis on the book for my readers?

My greatest dream (second to motherhood) is to write. I’ve painstakingly plotted an adult fantasy trilogy. However, I had to pause working towards my dream when I was extremely busy being pregnant, juggling a toddler, and moving to a new state. It crushed my soul a little to shelve the series in my head that I desperately wanted to put on a physical bookshelf. 

 

One night I prayed to Jesus asking for help with my writing aspirations. I didn’t see how I would be able to do it all. I asked, and He answered. An idea for a Christmas children’s book about Jesus fell into my head upon waking up from a pregnant-woman nap.

 

“Surely this has been done before,” I remember thinking about my idea. I researched and was saddened to see that it had not. So I wrote it. 

 

My prayer was answered in the most surprising and wonderful way. I didn’t have the time or energy to write a trilogy, but I could write a poem. I never in a million years thought that I’d write a children’s picture book, but here I am. 

What's been even more incredible is that Christmas Begins With Christ won the gold medal Literary Titan award and has been number one on Amazon's best seller list three times since its release last month. It's been the ultimate dream come true for a new author. I'm so grateful that Jesus put me on this path. 

 

Christmas Begins With Christ is a rhyming concept book that introduces how Jesus is always present in our lives. It speaks about how Christ’s supportive spiritual light is constantly around us, and we emit our own light through acts of love and joy. Children learn their numbers by counting how happiness grows from the true spirit of Christmas. 

I wanted to introduce the core reason why we celebrate Christmas that went beyond retelling the story about Jesus’s birth. No other books out there are quite like it, so I had to write it. 

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?

We attend a big family Christmas Eve party every year. Everyone opens up their presents then, and it’s all around just lovely. I don’t have too many Christmas traditions from my own childhood, but I’m excited to create some with my three-year-old and one-year-old as they grow. Watching It’s A Wonderful Life is an old favorite of mine to get me into the Christmas spirit. 

What’s next for you in writing? 

I’m currently writing another children's book about Jesus in addition to my adult fantasy trilogy. I recently signed a contract with my incredibly talented illustrator, Marissa Napolitano, to team up again for my next children's book. It deeply fulfills me to do this work. It definitely isn’t my last foray into the publishing world. Once you start, it becomes addictive! 

You can follow me on Facebook and Instagram for updates about my next children's book. Hopefully it will be released in the winter of 2023 or early 2024. 

What’s the best writing tip you’ve learned or been given you’d like to share?

It’s cliche but true: Just write. My favorite writing adage is that you can’t edit a blank page. I’ve learned that you can only daydream, plot, and brainstorm so much. I have to let my perfectionism take a back seat and write without editing myself along the way. It’s the only way to move forward with my writing dreams.

What do you know now about writing and publishing you wish you had learned sooner?

Self-publishing a picture book is a huge learning curve. You have two options: You either bulk print your books ahead of time via an offset printer, or you do print-on-demand, which is when one book is printed every time a customer orders it. 

I've had a rollercoaster experience with the print-on-demand route. Despite doing in-depth research about both printing methods, I still had to learn things through real life experience. Going forward, I will be using an offset printer for my books and encourage all self-published picture book authors to strongly consider that route. However, I know that we all have our own preferences for how to do business. There is no right or wrong way, but I've learned what will work best for me going forward. 

Any last words or tips?

I don’t want to look back on my life and feel like I didn’t give it my all chasing my dreams. If you have a dream to write, do your best to find a way. I make it a habit to carve out an hour a day after my kids go to sleep to write. The first year of my oldest’s life was surprisingly very productive because of this habit. I set an alarm to stay focused. I was a tired, new mom but somehow managed to plot my trilogy that year. I still try to adhere to this schedule, although now that time is used to market Christmas Begins With Christ. My nightly habit keeps me productive and motivated.

Are there any other books that you’d like to tell my readers about?

I really love reading to my three-year-old Alphabreaths: The ABCs of Mindful Breathing by Christopher Willard. I think it's great to teach young children the power of breathwork. I notice that when I do it with her, I'm also more relaxed. 

I think the most special kind of books are when they can positively impact both the parent and child simultaneously. I hope that my book, Christmas Begins With Christ, will do that. Not only does it teach children about the love of God, but I hope it reminds parents who might be struggling to pause and remember how connected we are with God’s love and support. 

That's all for today's interview. Hope you'll check out her book. Here's how to do that.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BFLGNXWR
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/3gQg0Wz
Target: https://bit.ly/3E0INiT

Website: https://beginswithchrist.com/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087147140583
Instagram Page:https://www.instagram.com/ginakirklandauthor/

It's Beginning to Read a Lot Like Christmas: Featuring Sydney Betts

 

How did you come up with the idea for your Christmas book?

One of my favorite mystery writers has published Christmas novellas, which I have enjoyed as much, sometimes more, than her other books. I wanted to do something similar, so I combined the Christmas theme with a favorite plotline - that of an old-fashioned large extended family waiting for an older relative to die to gain an inheritance.

 

 Could you give a short synopsis on the book for my readers?

Phoebe Farrell has one distinguishing talent: listening. When a wealthy, if vinegary, widow employs her as a companion, Phoebe becomes acquainted with a variety of people upstairs and downstairs, in and outside of the household. Some are caustic and greedy; some are generous and kind. A few are tender. One is planning a murder. While Phoebe unearths their secrets and desires, can she uncover the truth before it is too late?

 What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?

We have many, but my all-time favorite is making shortbread cookies and decorating them with royal icing. This inspired my favorite gift idea for family and friends: Polymer dough cookie-cutter ornaments. We’ve made gingerbread men, kittens, bunnies, and bears.

What’s next in writing for you? 

God willing, I intend to write a short, free prequel to my People of the Book series, and I also have a rough outline for a fourth Phoebe whodunit that I plan to start writing soon.

What’s the best writing tip you’ve learned or been given you’d like to share?

The best? I’m torn between three, but if you want only one it is to make yourself a promise to write for 15 minutes per day. The very hardest thing for a writer to do is sit down and start. If you force yourself to do the aforementioned, the writing will begin to flow.

Here are my other three favorites... Find someone (or several) with high standard but who are not simply critical by nature to read each chapter after you write it and offer content feedback. They should be willing to tell you if a circumstance is unrealistic, if a character's response is odd or insufficient, or if something just doesn't make sense.

The second one is to read each completed chapter or book to someone for their immediate feedback. Errors just show up better when you read it aloud.

The third one is somewhat similar. Have your writing program read the novel to you. MS Word has this feature, and I’ve found it invaluable.

What do you know now about writing and publishing you wish you had learned sooner?

Listen to your critics. When I was writing my first book, I had a friend who was older than I with a bent toward criticism. Although she liked my book, she told me it was confusing in parts. Other pre-readers had not made those comments, so I sloughed off her comments as typical either of her age or her nature. I was horrified when I set the book down and went back to it some time later. I had not wanted to write a book that read like, “Mary said, and then Joe said, and Mary said, and then Joe said…” but I clearly needed to attend better to my pronouns and antecedents.

 Any last words or tips?

Yes, in hope that others won't make the mistakes I’ve made. Try not to head-hop. Stay with one person in their thoughts and actions. Don't jump from one person's words to another's thoughts on the same page. In our age of film, it is easier to convey simultaneous responses between two people.  This is more difficult to avoid than it appears, especially if the tension in the scene is created by two characters’ thoughts in real time. One way is to portray character B’s expressions or reactions as they listen to character A, but that too can be problematic. As a reader, I’ve found myself trying to imitate the facial or body movements the author has described, trying to figure out what they meant.

That's all for today's interview. If you'd like to learn more about Sydney's books, here are some links to get you started. 

Website:https://sydneytoomanbetts.wixsite.com/website

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064064642066

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sydney-tooman-betts

Amazon Author: https://amzn.to/3ODSid1

It's Beginning to Read a Lot Like Christmas: Featuring Writing Duo Debra Torres and Tracy Fredrychowski

How did you come up with the idea for your Christmas book?

Tracy: Debra and I met the summer before we wrote this, and I had already written my “Love Blooms at the Apple Blossom Inn” book. I wanted to write a Christmas book that dealt with the inn and was a continuation of my 2021Christmas novella, “An Amish Christmas Gift Worth Waiting For.” When I decided I wanted another author to join me. I picked Debra!

Debra: I loved the idea of helping Tracy continue the story of Amanda Beiler and her seven siblings from “An Amish Christmas Gift Worth Waiting For.” After a pretty intense creative session, Tracy and I chose to portray a tragic incident, the death of a parent, from the perspective of Sadie and Katie Beiler–two Amish sisters with two very different personalities.

Could you give a short synopsis of the book for my readers?

Here’s a general synopsis, and then Debra and Tracy will both share each sister’s story: Orphaned just weeks before Christmas, the Beiler sisters suddenly discover they could lose their home and, what’s worse—each other. To make ends meet, sisters Sadie and Katie are plunged into working at the Willow Spring’s Apple Blossom Inn.

But will their efforts be enough?

Debra: (who wrote Sadie’s perspective) Struggling with pride, Sadie yearns to bake scrumptious treats in the inn’s kitchen instead of cleaning floors and toilets. But when she makes the mistake of her life, can Sadie and the inn’s handsome maintenance worker Jubal King create a plan to help save her family and maybe even the Apple Blossom Inn?

Tracy: (who wrote Katie’s perspective) On the cusp of a family tragedy, Katie must put her trust in the Lord and step into a mostly English world. When Jeremiah Hershberger returns to Willow Springs looking for answers, Katie sets out on a journey to help him discover secrets of his past.

Can these young women find a way to bring the joy of Christmas back to their family and to Willow Springs?

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?

Tracy: I love to make and frost Christmas cutouts using my grandmother’s favorite recipe. Filling the house with their warm vanilla and brown sugar scents and then sharing the cookies with family and friends makes me happy.

Debra: Gift giving has to be my favorite tradition. We have a large family, and we make everyone open their gifts one at a time to make the moment last!

What’s next? 

Tracy: I’ve been busy finishing up Anna’s Amish Fears Revealed and am even starting to outline my next book, Barbara’s Amish Truth Exposed.

Debra: I’m hard at work writing the third novel in my Willow Brook: Secrets of the Pen series. After that, I’m excited to start Book One of my new Amish Kitchen Garden series.

What’s the best writing tip you’ve learned or been given you’d like to share?

Tracy: Don’t underestimate yourself! With God’s help, you can do this, the writing and the marketing - all of it. And book marketing can be fun, especially when you let yourself learn from your mistakes and take things one step at a time.

Debra: Be consistent and commit to writing at least a half hour every day except Sunday! And what Tracy said. There is so much information out there, don’t be afraid to learn new things and take the steps you need for success.

What do you know now about writing and publishing you wish you had learned sooner?

Tracy: The same advice I gave you. I wish I had started off trusting myself to self-publish and market my books! But I have learned a lot along the way, and this season has been invaluable to me.

Debra: Learning to trust myself has also been a big thing for me. I’ve also had to grow in patience with my schedule for the pacing of it all.  

Any last words or tips?

Tracy: When it comes to book marketing, know your strengths and capitalize on them. Out of the gate, you can’t do everything. So, find the type of marketing you enjoy, and that’s effective and concentrate on that until you’ve got it down. Then, move on to something new!

Debra: A wise woman once told me to “just do the one thing,” and when that’s done – move on to the next “one thing.” It’s easy to get overwhelmed when doing the writing and the marketing. But it can be done successfully – one thing at a time.

Are there any other books that you’d like to tell my readers about?

Tracy: I think your readers would enjoy learning what their other favorite Amish fiction authors are up to in my The Buggy Talk Podcast.

Debra: Tracy’s podcast is great! And on my Amish Book Reviews YouTube channel, Amish fiction lovers can watch as I review Amish novels and highlight different aspects of Amish life.

That's all for today's interview... but wait there's more. Go to Tracy's website and see how you can get a FREE book of Amish stories. Go to Debra's website and see how you can get a FREE book of Amish recipes.

Tracy: 

Website – https://tracyfredrychowski.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tracyfredrychowski/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/tracyfredrychowskiauthor/
Private Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/tracyfredrychowski/
BookBub - https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tracy-fredrychowski

Debra: 
Website – https://www.debratorres.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/debratorreswrites/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DebraTorresWrites
Private Facebook Group- https://www.facebook.com/groups/amishbooksdebratorres
BookBub - https://www.bookbub.com/profile/debra-torres