How Writing is like Singing: Author Interview with Sheri Richey

My first question is on your Eden Hall series. What made you decide to release all 5 of the books on the same day in 2010?

The Eden Hall Series was not originally written for publication.  I wrote the series in 2008 as a gift to my mother who was a romance reader.  Later I uploaded them to CreateSpace with print on demand as my only goal.  They were then published to Amazon and have been there ever since.

How long did it take you to write that series? 

The series took me eight months to write and I had two different editors that worked with me.  I received differing advice from them, but ultimately I took the advice of one of them and did a rewrite to reduce the steam from many of the scenes. 

Ten years ago, there was a spirited divide in the romance genre where erotica was growing and clean romance was just budding.  Although the series was written in the middle of that road, the editors were pulling me in opposite directions.  I did tone it down and deleted some scenes, but I feel the series is still firmly in the middle of that road.  Several years following that series, I did write a clean romance called Willow Wood.

After all those books, what made you switch to writing cozy mysteries?

Mysteries are my preferred reading genre, so I enjoy writing them.  The hardest part for me is finding the time.  It is an endurance test sometimes.  I work all day at a demanding job and then try to write in my free time.  As I have many hobbies, there is competition for that free time!

Why did you choose the indie route to publish your books?

I have never considered traditional publishing and have never submitted an agent letter or manuscript to anyone.  I have heard too many horror stories from other authors who struggle to get the rights returned to them from publishing contracts they signed, and I don't want anyone else to control my releases.  I prefer to work at my own pace and release when I'm ready.  I track my own expenses and income that way.  I may also have control issues.  :-)

What is the hardest part of writing for you?

The outlining.  I want very much to prepare a detailed outline before I write a mystery.  I try it each time and I always begin writing before it's complete.  I have yet to be successful with it.  Logically, especially for mysteries, I think it is the correct way to embark, yet my urgency to begin always usurps that plan.  I have a skeletal idea before I begin, but it mostly evolves as I write.

What does your editor remind you to do most often?

To quit using "that" so much and add more commas.  I write a lot of dialog in my cozies and I write like I speak.  Apparently, I say "that" too much.

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?

My only real encouragement comes from total strangers that email me or leave reviews saying they enjoyed my books.  I wish more people felt comfortable doing that.  It's really a lonely profession and reviews are the only feedback we get.

We have all experienced rejection. How have you learned to write past it?

It's disappointing to get a negative review and I don't think reviewers realize how much that hurts someone who has invested a lot of time to create a story for them.  I know what I write is not going to please everyone, so I try to overlook those.  If there comes a time when the negative reviews outweigh the positive, I will know it is time to quit publishing and keep my stories to myself.

What has surprised or frustrated you the most in writing/publishing?

I think I'm always surprised when someone buys my books.  Having originally published the Eden Hall Series without any expectation that it would sell, I have been surprised and delighted to see it sell in the US and abroad.  I'm also delighted with the cozy mystery readers.  They are a warm and friendly group.  I'm so glad to be a part of it.

The most frustrating part is marketing.  I have no experience in that area and struggle to participate fully with it, because my free time is limited.  

What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner?

I wish I had known about Scrivener when I first began writing.  It is an essential tool, especially for series writing, because I can track all the different people, streets, and businesses from one book to another. 

Readerlinks is also a fabulous tool once you begin marketing.  I wouldn't want to be without either of them!

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?

Write what you enjoy and put your best face on it!  Although I know I can write in other genres, I am happier when I write what I enjoy reading.  In addition, I've learned that a good cover is a powerful thing.  A number of people will only give your book a try if they are attracted to the cover.

Are there any other points about writing you would like to add?

Writing is like singing.  Everyone can do it.  Some people just do it better than others.  If it makes you happy, you should do it!

What is the next book coming out?

Book 6 of the Spicetown Mystery Series was released in April, Chicory is Trickery.

Can you give me a short synopsis? 

It’s springtime in Spicetown and Mayor Cora Mae Bingham discovers there may be trouble blooming along with the rhododendrons!

With construction in full throttle in the new subdivisions and the income tax filing deadline looming over her head, Mayor Cora Mae Bingham is revamping the Annual Easter Eggs-Travaganza and trying to figure out who is in the Easter bunny suit this year, when a dead body has to be added to her To-Do list.

Are any other books in production?

I am beginning a sequel to Willow Wood, a small-town sweet romance.  It is called Knight Events and will be published as a part of a Christmas Anthology in November 2020.  In the spring of 2021, it will be released as a standalone book.

In addition, I have an appointment with my cover artist in June for the next Spicetown Mystery (Book 7), so I plan to release another Spicetown adventure later this summer.

I also have three other mystery series planned, two are spin-offs of Spicetown and I would love to get started on all of them now.  One will involve Dorothy Parish, the owner of the Caraway Cafe' in Spicetown and the other centers around Peggy Cochran, the owner of the Carom Seed Craft Corner.  The third series will be called Green Thumb mysteries and will focus on a gardening protagonist.

I have a couple of middle-grade mysteries in the back of my mind and a book of poetry that needs to be published when I find the time.

In the midst of all these plans, I just learned I am moving again.  My day job moves me around every couple of years and the time has come.  As you can imagine, moving a household to another state does sometimes cause a delay in plans, so I may not get everything done that I want to do, but I love a challenge!

Wow! For someone who says she doesn’t have time to write, you’ve got it going more than many writers I know. If you’d like to learn more about Sheri’s books, here are ways to do that.

Amazon Author Page:  https://readerlinks.com/l/286713

Facebook Romance Author Page:  https://readerlinks.com/l/302385

Facebook Mystery Author Page:  https://readerlinks.com/l/420192

Goodreads:  https://readerlinks.com/l/286814

Bookbub:  https://readerlinks.com/l/324637

Blog:  https://readerlinks.com/l/286712

Write What You Wish You Could Have Read: An Interview with Kristin Pierce

What inspired you to write your first children’s book?
It was most definitely my own children, along with the fact that young minds are so impressionable. I wanted to create a book with the empowering messages that I try to instill in my children so that we could read it again and again at bedtime. I saw the need for children’s books with real, empowering messages about the inner self, and our real-life superpowers of creativity, imagination, and intuition.

In unraveling my own experiences, I uncovered a powerful message that I felt a strong urge to share, which fueled the birth of my first book. Since then, the inspiration just kept flowing. Now, I have fallen in love with the process and have no plans to stop anytime soon. 

When did you actually start writing your first book? How long did it take to write your first draft?
I began writing my first book in December 2016. I wrote the initial draft in an hour and a half. This isn’t always normal for me, but I had an idea, got in a flow, and the words just poured out on to the page. 

Prior to writing your children’s books, what was your publishing and writing background? 

I had absolutely zero experience or knowledge about the publishing world. Writing-wise, I wrote for my own blog, email newsletters, and social media, but it felt like it was out of necessity from a business perspective. I have been an entrepreneur for almost a decade, so I did write, but I didn’t have the spark for writing like I do now.

Describe what you mean about finding your inner compass.
Each and every one of us has an Inner Compass. It is an inborn guidance that sends quiet signals to help navigate life with inner alignment. Your Inner Compass is your intuition. As really little kids, we are great at listening to it.

As we grow up, often our intuition can get shut down and overpowered by logic. Then, the whispers from our inner wisdom become harder to hear. The process of finding your Inner Compass is about getting reconnected with yourself and establishing trust in your inner knowing. 

I wanted to introduce the concept of an Inner Compass to children to encourage them to find and follow their inner compass, to stay connected with themselves, to understand how it works, and to see the benefits of trusting their inner knowing throughout their lives in order to stay true to who they are. 

Your books are self-published. What made you decide to go that route?
I decided to go the self-publishing route for two main reasons. I wanted to have creative control over my book, and I didn’t want to wait. Like I mentioned, I didn’t have any experience in the publishing realm, so I did my research and ended up using an assisted self-publishing company to help me through the process.

Because I was fresh into creativity, I felt pretty vulnerable jumping into this new arena and knew that if I had my manuscript rejected multiple times, I probably would have given up on my book. I also did not want my message to get skewed or lost along the way if I had gone with a traditional publisher. It was nice to know that I would have the final say. 

What has frustrated you the most in the process of putting together the books?
It’s how long the whole process takes and not knowing what was coming next when I first started. I felt like I was always flying blind, unsure of what was around the next bend. This is the exact reason that I was inspired to create an online course for authors.

Coming this fall, The Author Atlas online courses will give aspiring authors a step-by-step self-publishing roadmap to help take them through every step from research, to writing, to editing, to planning illustrations, to setting up distribution, and beyond.

There will even be courses for supercharging your creativity, author mindset makeover, routine revamp, and finding your author special sauce. It’s going to pack a ton of value while taking the confusion and guesswork out of the process, which I’m sure will alleviate frustration for new authors. It is going to be very impactful and I am really excited about it. 

What has pleasantly surprised you in the process?
I’d have to say how much I truly enjoy envisioning and planning the art direction. When I dove into self-publishing, I had no clue that I was going to need to come up with descriptions for every single illustration, but the process has really grown on me and now I actually look forward to it! I look forward to sharing my experience in The Author Atlas course.

What are some of the promotions that you’ve done for your books that have been the most successful?
That would be my book launch events and media interviews. I’ve been fortunate to be interviewed on CTV Saskatoon Morning Live, CTV News at Noon, Global Saskatoon, and Lit Happens with ShawTV. My team and I are currently working on building an ambassador program, so I am hopeful that program will be very successful as well.

What advice would you give someone who wants to write children’s stories?
My advice would be to write children’s books you wish you could have read as a child. What would have made an impact on you? Read lots of children’s books and pay attention to what you like and don’t like. What resonates with you and what doesn’t.

 
My next best advice is to edit, edit, edit! See the editing process as an evolution of your story. Allow your story to grow, change, and release the parts that aren’t working to make space for new, improved ideas to come in. 

What is the best writing advice you’ve been given?
Write something every day. This advice has been instrumental in expanding my writing, encouraging me to try new things, helping me get out of my own way and getting my pen on to paper. 

How much time daily do you have for writing?
During the week, I am an early riser to write before the kids get up. I usually write for 30-60 minutes just for fun. Sometimes those ideas turn into something more, but sometimes they don’t and that’s okay, too. For me, it’s all about exercising that writing muscle. Every Friday, I have a full writing day. That is my best way to head into the weekend feeling like a million bucks!

What message would you like parents and children to take away from your books?
It is my mission to create mindfully crafted children's books that help children ignite their passions, think outside the box, and create a life full of purpose, impact, and fulfillment. I believe that books can open a door in the mind and that is precisely my goal—to open minds to the potential that already exists within them. We all possess the real-life superpowers of intuition, creativity, and imagination and it is my goal to allow readers to see how incredible they already are.

Through my books, I hope readers will feel inspired and empowered to connect with their inner selves and harness the (often untapped) potential of their minds. By sharing empowering messages within my books, I hope that readers realize they are powerful beyond measure, that their passions can reveal their purpose, and sharing their gifts with the world can help others in more ways than they can imagine.

What’s coming next for your writing?

I have two new books coming out, and I’m very excited about them! Magnus O’Meere, Mind Pioneer is releasing October 2019, and Hazel Mist, Hypnotist is coming out Spring 2020.

Can you give my readers a short blurb about them?
Magnus O’Meere is always off in another dimension, building epic ideas with his full-blown attention. But when Magnus’ inventive passion becomes disruptive and distracting at school, he lands himself in the principal’s office. As Magnus begins to question the things he has created, a stroke of fate delivers an eye-opening message that leads him to discover just how powerful his mind really is. Follow Magnus on an incredible learning adventure that highlights some of the most magnificent Mind Pioneers of our time, including da Vinci, Einstein, Tesla, Mozart, and many more. 

When Hazel Mist watches a famous hypnotist perform on TV, she is completely mesmerized. Following her inner compass, Hazel uncovers a new passion that takes her on an unexpected learning adventure deep into the workings of the mind. As she commits her summer to learning the ins and outs of hypnotism, she discovers an incredible understanding worth sharing.

However, each time Hazel gets up on stage to perform, her stomach is in knots as she faced with stage fright. Will she let her fears stop her from creating her dreams? Follow Hazel on an entertaining and intriguing venture that will open your mind, broaden your perspective, and evoke curious questions. 

If those storylines intrigue you, here’s how you can learn more about Kristin’s writing and buy her books.

www.InnerCompassBooks.com

For more information about The Author Atlas, please visit:
www.InnerCompassBooks.com/author-serv...

To join the launch team for Magnus O’Meere, Mind Pioneer, visit: www.InnerCompassBooks.com/launch-team 

Becoming Steeped in History: Author Interview with Marguerite Martin Gray

Your novels are based on the Revolutionary War. What made you choose that era? Your storyline is based in Charles Town, which is the early spelling for Charleston. What made you choose that city?
I love historical fiction and anything to do with research. Years ago I started researching my family which took me to 1770 when one of my ancestors, Louis Lestarjette, arrived in Charles Town from France. I started to wonder what he would have thought of a city, a colony facing drama with England. From there a storyline formed and became my Revolutionary Faith Series. 

What type of research do you do in writing a story with a historical base?
I start with a stack of non-fiction and fiction books about the era and the setting. For book one, I read and used 25 books. The research took me six to seven months before I even wrote the first word. In all of my writing endeavors so far, I always visit the setting, many times if possible. I love walking the streets that my characters would have walked.

How much “artistic license” do you use in creating your story locations? 

I try to stick to the historical elements of my locations and my historical characters as much as possible--dates, events, architecture, food, dress. But when it comes to dialogue and plot that is not of a historical nature, I use my artistic license to make the characters come alive. 

Did you ever want to give up writing your first book?
I don't think I ever wanted to give up, but it did take me a while to write it due to teaching and rearing two children and a husband. Once the children left the house, I taught part-time for two years and completed the rough drafts of four novels.

What was one of the more fascinating or surprising details that you discovered in your research?

As I read and researched, it finally connected that the majority of the citizens, colonists had no plans to separate from England. They were British citizens, loyal to their king and country. Asking them to turn against their origins and view Britain as an enemy was a huge, almost impossible step or scenario.

Many left this country to return to a homeland that most had never seen since they were born and reared in the colonies. Even when the war started, the act of killing or firing upon a British subject hurt to the core.

In their minds they knew that seeking independence was the right thing to do, but in their hearts the logic was broken and tragic. I have tried to understand the Loyalist side as I write my characters into the scenes. So much was sacrificed for our independence that wasn't just physical. Some never recovered from seeing their countrymen turn into enemies. 

Who publishes your book?

My publisher is Celebrate Lit. Sandy has done an excellent job choosing her staff and her editors. The covers are designs by Roseanna White. I love her creativity. I've been very pleased with the publishing experience.

What do you know now about writing/publishing now that you wished you had known sooner?
The writing process is a long one with many layers. I enjoy the research and writing the best. What I didn't know was how many times a work must be rewritten and edited. Now that I am published, I know to set aside many hours to accomplish the additional edits. I treat it like a job with scheduled office hours.

What other books do you have in the works?
I sent Labor of Love (Gardens in Time) to my publisher. It is set in 1560 Florence, Italy at Pitti Palace with the Boboli Gardens as the backdrop.

Promise of Purity (Gardens in Time) is being spruced up with a little rewriting. This one is set at Hampton Court in England, 1661.

I'm researching Wait For Me (Revolutionary Faith Book 5) this month and will begin writing the first chapters in August.

What is the best advice about writing you would like to pass along?
Enjoy the journey wherever it takes you. Although getting a book published is great, I write because I enjoy the process. Try not to get discouraged about the publication options. There are so many out there. Find the one that fits your goals.

Are there any other notes you’d like to add?
Social media is a must. I tried to rebel and say that I didn't have to do it all--Facebook, blog, website--but I started and entered the world of social media. Honestly, I enjoy so many parts of it, especially meeting the people, sometimes in person. I really like adding a blog to my website once a week. It keeps my mind hopping.

I love that Marguerite’s writing started with an ancestry search and flowed into a career in writing historical fiction. With all the research she does, it can take readers right into the era.  If you’d like to learn more about her writing and buying her books, here are some links to get you started.

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/margu...
http://margueritemartingray.blog
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
https://www.amazon.com/Marguerite-Mar...
https://www.facebook.com/Marguerite-M...

: The Reincarnation of Writing: Author Interview with Olivia Newport

You’ve now written two unique series. One is on the Amish lifestyle and the other is about women at the turn of the 20th century in Chicago. What made you chose such totally different genres? 

I'm just interested in very different subjects! The Avenue of Dreams started when a friend introduced me to the Glessner House Museum and Prairie Avenue Historical District in Chicago.

My Amish books, both the Valley of Dreams series and the Amish Turns of Times series grew out of discovering a genealogical connection to a passenger on one of the first ships to bring Amish families to North America and deciding to learn more about them.

Which one was harder to research for you?
Writing historical fiction always means getting the details right, and of course writing Amish fiction also adds the layer of writing across cultures.

How did your writing career begin?
Over the years, I've had various jobs that allowed me to use my gifts as a wordsmith within the organizations I worked with or as a freelance writer taking work-for-hire assignments. Somebody has to write those annoying paragraphs that teach fifth graders about literary devices! I'd always wanted to write novels, and about a decade ago decided to buckle down and try to make it happen.

Was your initial storyline so vast that you had to split it up into several books or did you plan on writing a series?

I've always planned a series from the outset. The only series I've added to beyond the original plan with the publisher was Amish Turns of Time because those books are all freestanding stories.

What is the hardest part of writing for you

For me, it's making sure that every section is moving the story along in some way. When I get to the self-editing stage after I've finished a draft, if I delete a section, it's always because I decided it did nothing for moving the story along. I was just clearing my throat.

What does your editor remind you to do most often?
Haha. The copyeditor who works on a lot of my books is always catching chronology issues. With every manuscript, I think this is the one where she won't catch anything. And then she does.

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?
It's hard to choose just one. But I'll tell you something from the past that encouraged me again recently. I've been on a binge to reduce the clutter around my house, including boxes I've been storing for decades without even opening. A few weeks ago, I went through the box of every paper I wrote in college and read many very kind comments from professors about my writing, even as they also made suggestions for improvement. I hope they would be proud of me now. But reading their words all these years later--before I released those old papers once and for all--made me grateful for everyone who has ever encouraged me.

We have all experienced rejection. How have you learned to write past it?
So many examples! On my computer, I have a folder full of proposals, or even full manuscripts, publishers rejected. In the closet of my office, I have binders full of research to support the rejected proposals. But nothing is ever wasted. Even now, on the manuscript I'm currently working on, I'm pulling from research for a rejected proposal and incorporating it into something new. So, I write past rejection by never throwing out the ideas or the research, because I never know when they might find reincarnation.

What has surprised you the most in writing and publishing?

Writing can be a lonely profession. You sit in your house, or perhaps a coffee shop or a library, and you do your job--often in addition to another job. But these days social media provides a wonderful community of other writers and readers to connect with during the journey. That's a joyous thing. It's a bit frustrating when there is dissension about the "right" way to publish. Writers have different goals, and different routes get them there.

What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner?
Also in my quest to declutter my home, I've pitched some very bad poetry and short stories from long ago years. Not every word you write is sacred. Sometimes the exercise of writing was the purpose, and you can throw it out and move on to something fresh and better.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?
Develop a thick skin. That's not original advice, but it's practical advice if you are pursuing publication.

Are there any other points about writing you would like to add?
Even though the writing life requires a thick skin, sometimes you just have to write. If that's you, then you absolutely should.

Your next book is part of a new series. What is the time and setting? Can you give me a short synopsis?
The Tree of Life series is time-slip stories--contemporary stories that "slip" into the past to unfold genealogy that bears on the conflict of the contemporary storyline. Four stories will release over the next two years.

The first book is The Inn at Hidden Run. Meri’s family has been producing doctors for so many generations that no one remembers why, so when she flunks out of medical school, she runs as far from her parents as she can get. It’s only a matter of time. What she doesn’t count on is genealogist Jillian Parisi-Duffy and her father, Nolan, having her back when it takes everything she has to stay and face the truth that only unfolding her family’s history will reveal. When her family’s arrival inflames tensions and Meri finally does bolt, Nolan and Jillian may be out of time.

Sounds like it could have some unique twists and turns. If you’d like to learn more about Olivia’s books, here are some links to get you started.

http://www.treeoflifefiction.com/
www.olivianewport.com
https://www.facebook.com/OliviaNewport/

The Desire to Write: Author Interview with Heidi McCahan

Heidi secretly dreamed of writing a book for most of her childhood, but a particularly painful rejection letter in middle school convinced her to tuck that dream away. Instead, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Medicine from Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington, and a Master’s Degree in Athletic Training from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. But those writing and publishing dreams eventually became reality.

What made you decide to write your first novel?

I've always wanted to be a writer, it just took me a long time to finally sit down and figure out how to make it happen. The concept for my first novel, Unraveled, came to me when I was feeding our first child in the middle of the night. I wrote a paragraph or two the next day, then several years went by, we had two more kids and moved across the country before I felt a strong desire to pursue creative writing. I feel writing is a calling, so to not write is to waste a God-given gift.

Are you an avid reader of sweet romance novels?

Yes, I am. I read both inspirational and general market romance. 

How long did it take you to write your first book? How many rewrites did you do on it?

I spent approximately two years writing Unraveled. The rewrites were numerous. Some chapters were re-written 7 times, others had 2 or 3 rounds of revisions.

Who helped you with the editing?

Sally Bradley was my editor. My friends and family are very supportive and encourage me with every book I write and celebrate when a book is published.

Are you active with any writing critique groups? 

Yes, I have been a part of critique groups in the past, which I found through my membership in American Christian Fiction Writers. At the moment, we are all busy with family and jobs and writing so we aren't actively critiquing as often as we'd like. Generally speaking, if a writer can find a critique group that's a good fit, it's wise to have a critique partner. 

Did you ever want to give up on writing the book and getting it published?

There's a period of time with every manuscript when I want to give up. That's part of the process. I just finished my 11th manuscript, and even though I'm proud of the story and I look forward to seeing it published someday, writing is very difficult work and I was tempted to quit several times. But if I quit, then that story won't ever reach my readers, so I try to keep that in mind and just keep going, one scene at a time.

How many publishers or agents did you pitch before getting your manuscript published? 

My first novel, Unraveled was originally published by a small press that's no longer in business. I didn't want to lose momentum with my readers when the publisher unexpectedly closed, nor did I want to un-publish the book, so I had a new cover designed and independently published the novel as a second edition. I'm glad I was able to do that because Unraveled is a favorite among my readers. Because of their enthusiasm and requests for more stories featuring the characters, I've written and published a novella and a sequel, and have plans to write at least two more books in the series. 

What was it like doing your own publishing of that book?

Whether independent or traditionally published, being an author is the equivalent of running a small business and demands a lot of time and attention to detail. There's a myth in this industry that traditional publishers handle everything once the book is contracted, and that is just not true. While a publishing house takes on the expense of editing, production and some of the marketing, every author has a responsibility to market their books, build relationships with readers, and stay informed about current trends regardless of their path to publication.

How did you find your agent?

I am represented by Jessica Kirkland. I met her at the national conference for American Christian Fiction Writers. I believe she was the second agent I pitched to and she offered representation a few months later. For those who aren't familiar with pitching to an agent at a conference, this means writers attending the conference sign up for appointments with agents and editors.

The appointments are usually 15 minutes and the author presents the agent or editor with a brief summary of a completed manuscript, unique details about the work that set it apart from titles already published, perhaps discuss plans for marketing the book, etc. It's an exciting and stressful experience. I'm very thankful that Jessica is my agent.

What was that process like? How did you get involved with Harlequin?

I started entering Harlequin Love Inspired's contests in 2012 or 2013. I can't remember the exact year. I did not advance to the final rounds in the first two contests I entered, but the feedback I received encouraged me to keep trying.

In 2015 I entered a paragraph and a back cover blurb in the Blurb-2-Book contest. That led to a request for a full manuscript. Although I didn't win the contest, the process required that I complete the manuscript. Then the editor I worked with encouraged me to keep revising and she offered a contract after the revisions were complete. That book is called The Firefighter's Twins and it was published in 2018. Harlequin Love Inspired also offered me a second contract and that book releases in May of 2019. 

What is the hardest part of writing for you?

The hardest part of writing for me is completing the first draft. Discipline and determination are necessary to get the words on the page/screen and it's also emotionally exhausting to draft a complete novel. Revisions are where the magic happens, and I know that, but it takes a great deal of effort to get to that magical place. 

What does your editor remind you to do most often?

My editors remind me to do A LOT of things. Consistently I'm encouraged to make sure there is enough external and internal conflict to sustain the plot throughout the whole novel.

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?

Never, ever give up.

We have all experienced rejection. How have you learned to write past it?

Rejection is a part of the writing process and it is painful and discouraging. However, there is something to be learned from every rejection, even if it takes a few days or weeks or months to see the proverbial silver lining. I don't have a formula or an easy method for bouncing back. My best advice is to read books you really enjoy, put the rejected manuscript away for a while and fill up your creative well.

Maybe that means you read or try a different form of creative art, watch movies, spend time with people and live life. Eventually, the desire to create a new story will spring up and it will be time to try again. This is when strong writing friends can come alongside and encourage, offer constructive feedback on your new idea, and generally cheer you on. 

What has surprised you the most in writing/publishing?

The wheels of traditional publishing turn slowly, while things move really fast in the indie world. That contrast is both surprising and frustrating. It's tricky to navigate both realms sometimes. 

What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner?

Writing a full novel is much harder than I expected and requires a lot of time, energy and intentional living. I didn't realize all the ways creative writing would impact my life. While I can step away from the computer or put down my pen and close my notebook, I can't exactly turn off my brain. Writers are either writing or thinking about writing.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?

In addition to never giving up, I'd recommend reading voraciously, especially in the genre you're writing and if you want to be traditionally published, read the books your ideal publishing house is currently releasing. Harlequin Love Inspired editors say this over and over: read currently published books to get an idea of what sells. A lot of writers don't want to take this advice and I'm offering it again because it is so important.

Are there any other points about writing you would like to add?

Even if a writer isn't published yet, start connecting with other writers and readers. The internet makes it so easy. Pick one social media platform that you like and build a presence there. Join a Facebook group with readers who read what you write and actively participate in the conversation. Try to get on a launch team for an author you admire so you can see how he/she markets the book. There's always something to learn and opportunities to grow.

What is the next book coming out? Can you give me a short synopsis?

My next Harlequin Love Inspired release is Their Baby Blessing and it arrives May 21, 2019. Here are some brief details…

The Navy prepared him for anything … except for an instant family.
When Navy veteran Gage Westbrook promised to look out for his late best friend’s son, he never imagined he’d bond with the baby boy. And he definitely didn’t plan to fall for Connor’s gorgeous temporary guardian, Skye Tomlinson. But weighted by guilt for the accident that took Connor’s dad, can Gage find the courage to forgive himself and embrace the chance at a family?

That’s all for today’s interview. If you’d like to learn more about Heidi’s writing and new books, here are some links to get you started.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heidimccahan

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidimccahan.author/

Website: https://heidimccahan.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeidiMcCahan

Mystery Writing for Two: An Interview with Christa Nardi and Cassidy Salem

Today marks the beginning of my holiday-themed blog posts for the next two months. Fi This interview is with two authors who teamed up to write one book. Personally, I don’t know how I could co-write with someone else. Who would get the last word? But enough about me. Let’s get into the holiday spirit with this interview!

How did you come up with the idea of your Thanksgiving themed book?  

We both grew up with Nancy Drew and the Dana Girls books. We wanted to create a mystery with two sisters as the main characters, each with a different voice. 

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

Hannah and Tamar are looking forward to spending the Thanksgiving break with their grandparents. On the long ride to Vermont, the sisters are quick to offer assistance when a fellow passenger – a girl in her late teens – is hassled by a rough-looking young man.

Grateful as she may be for their help, Gwen is in no hurry to make friends, not even as she thrusts a mysterious package into Tamar’s hand and disappears in the Rutland train station. Puzzled by her behavior, Hannah and Tamar set out to locate Gwen and unravel the secret of the mysterious package.

What made you decide to do a Thanksgiving themed book?

We wanted to write a family-friendly mystery. It was a natural to have a family focus around that holiday. 

What are some of your favorite Thanksgiving traditions?

Too much food? Honestly, I think Thanksgiving was the only time we had turkey and the meat stuffing my mother used to make, which is very different from any bread stuffing I've ever had.

What’s next? 

The Mysterious Package is the first in a series.  What's next? Book 5 is a work in progress.

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

Don't think it has to be perfect to begin with. The hardest part is getting the ideas down. So write, knowing you will re-write, probably many times before you're done.

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

All that is involved in marketing and using social media is a definite challenge. We've learned a lot about it along the way, but it changes so quickly it is hard to keep up.

Any last words or tips?

There are a lot of author groups and writing resources - find the ones that work best for you.

That’s it for today’s interview. If you’d like to learn more about this book and the series, here is a link to give you access to a sample of the story http://smarturl.it/MysPkg

I’d love to hear some of your Thanksgiving traditions, just add them below.