Finding a Writing Community: An Interview with Susan Anne Mason

I see you write both contemporary and historical romance books. Do you prefer one genre or another?
I love both categories equally, though writing contemporary stories is much easier since it involves so much less research. For now, though, I’m loving historicals.

What’s the most difficult part of writing a romance novel?
The most difficult thing about writing romance is getting the pacing right. You want to build the emotional tension between the couple until they finally have their first kiss, then throw all kinds of obstacles at them to make them work for their ‘happily ever after’.

Many of your books are written as series. Did you start out with that idea in mind? Or was the story too big for one book?
Good question! Neither series actually began as one. My contemporary Rainbow Falls series branched out when a secondary character, Maxie North, became larger than life and I had to give Maxie her own story. Plus, I loved the fictional town I had created and wanted to play there a while longer!

My Courage to Dream series started with Irish Meadows, but when Bethany House showed interest in the book, they asked if I had any plans on writing any more about the O’Learys. I gave a hesitant “Well, I had thought about writing Adam’s story.” And they said, “Good! Do that!” So the series was born!

This newest series I’m writing now is the only one that I planned out from the beginning as a series. Quite a daunting task to do actually!

What is the hardest part of writing for you? Starting? Plotting? Dialog? Tension?

Without a doubt, plotting is the hardest thing for me. I can come up with the characters, their backstories and goals, their personalities, what makes them tick — but figuring out what is actually going to happen in the book, that is so challenging for me. I need to have a basic outline of the plot and know where I’m going before I can begin writing, so that part takes me quite a while to get nailed down.

You’ve published 9 books since 2014 with two more in line to publish. How long does it take you to write a book?

Overall, it takes me about 6 months to write a book, and about another 2 months to edit it. My writing process has changed a lot since I’ve become a published author. I used to meander my way through a book without a plan, but now I have to give my editor a fairly detailed synopsis before I begin (which of course changes when you actually start writing! LOL!)

I usually begin with a basic idea (ex. What if you believed for your whole life that your father was dead and then discovered he was alive all along?) Then I create the characters, their backgrounds, and their goals for the story. I use Susan May Warren’s The Story Equation to do all this. Then I try to envision the events that will take place in the book and the turning points for the characters. Once I have a fairly good outline of the story, I start doing the necessary research, which can take weeks or months.

At some point, when my characters can’t take me procrastinating anymore, they shout at me to begin writing already!! I try to power through the first draft with as little editing as possible until I’ve got it finished. Then I go back and do all the editing.

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?
The best source of encouragement for me was when I finaled in the 2008 Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart contest. This came at a time when I was seriously doubting my writing ability and it gave me new hope. Through that contest, I developed a relationship with my fellow finalists, and then came into contact with a group of writers who ran the Seekerville blog. For the first time, I felt part of a community.

This was huge in finding resources to hone my writing skills, and eventually, it led me to join the American Christian Fiction Writers. I highly recommend any aspiring writers to find a community of support because writing can be a very solitary endeavor!  

We have all experienced rejection. How have you learned to write past it?
Oh, where to begin! I guess with my first published book. Betrayed Hearts was rejected many times until an editor from White Rose Publishing saw some merit in it, enough to give me some pointers on where the story was weak and how to strengthen it. I took about 6 months to revise the story and then re-submitted it. My first lesson in proper plotting!

What do you know now about writing that you wished you had known sooner?
How hard it is to juggle multiple books. You have to be prepared to promote one book while finishing edits on another and begin writing another. There are always many balls in the air.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?
As I’ve said before, perseverance is the best advice I can give. Take the time to really learn the craft of writing and just keep trying. If you really want to be published, you will accomplish it, if you dedicate your time and talents to pursuing it.

Are there any other points about writing that you would like to add? 
It’s important to get feedback on your writing. The best way to start doing this is to enter contests and really take the judges’ advice to heart. They generally know what they’re talking about and can give great insight into where your writing needs improvement. Also finding a wonderful critique partner (or two) is a fabulous way to get feedback and potentially develop friendships with people who know exactly what you’re going through!

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

My next book will be Book 2 in the Canadian Crossing series. “The Highest of Hopes” releases in the spring of 2019. It’s about Emmaline Moore, a girl who learns that the grandparents who raised her kept a secret from her all her life. That her father, who they told her died of a broken heart after her mother’s passing, is actually alive and living in Canada. Accompanied by her best friend, Jonathan, Emma travels to Toronto to meet the man she is sure will be thrilled to finally meet her. When her plans don’t go exactly as she hoped, Jonathan is there to help her decide her next move.

That’s all for today’s interview. If you’d like to meander through the towns and characters Susan has created, here are some links to get you started.

Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/y6v7j2lt  

Facebook: www.facebook.com/susan.anne.mason.333/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/samason
Website: http://susanannemason.net/ 

Stories of Hope and Heart: An Interview with Cathy Liggett

Today's interview is with an ACFW award- winning author who says she writes "stories of hope and heart. " I love that idea, don't you? Read on and learn how she does it and how she got started.

Let’s go back to the beginning. Your first novel was published in 2004. I know that was years ago, but what inspired you to write that story?
Professionally, I'd always written copy for advertising agencies and then also spent 10 years working for a giftware company where we created and wrote copy for various products. I enjoyed the writing I was doing but kept having this nagging feeling that I wanted to write a book someday- preferably a romance after reading so many Lavyrle Spencer books, I guess.

The thing was, I told some friends about this "dream," and pretty soon they were nagging me about it too. Finally, I felt like I had to do something about it and I joined the local chapter of Romance Writers of America around 1998, maybe? There I learned a lot about craft and the business and most importantly also met people who were extremely helpful to me in pursuing the desire to publish.

Did you get discouraged at all in the writing process?

Absolutely! I think it's like anything else. You have highs and lows, good days and bad. Even when I've got a signed deal and I'm happy my writing has an outlet for publication, that doesn't mean I don't have grueling writing days or that I'm not terrified I'll botch it up somehow. And when I'm trying to get something new going and sending out proposals, being rejected time and again can be brutal as well. But if that thing burns in you that makes you want to keep writing and creating, what can you do? You just keep trying at it!!

How long did it take you to write that first book?
I can't really remember what my deadline was. Nine months, maybe? I work part-time so I feel like I'm not the quickest at getting things to print.

How did you go about finding a publisher/agent?

Back then, there were more publishers that you could contact with an unagented manuscript. I didn't find an agent until I'd already published books with Avalon so that was around 2008, maybe. Sorry, I can't keep the years straight! I found my agent totally by accident - or I like to think of it as a divine accident. I had a women's fiction proposal that had gotten rejected by the editors I'd had appointments with at the ACFW conference. At that point, I knew I needed an agent to try to get to other publishers.

I was reading over a list of agents that Linda Goodnight had provided online and I saw an agency that caught my eye, but I wasn't sure if I should submit my proposal by snail mail or email (it was 50/50 at that time). So I got online and tried to look up the agency to see which they'd prefer, but their site was under construction. 

Then I decided to call and ask how they'd prefer the submission, and GULP - the owner of the agency happened to answer the phone (I guess it was around lunch time or something). When I asked about submitting, she asked what I had. I told her it was women's fiction and explained the storyline. She said "mail me what you have, I think I can sell this for you." What do you know she did exactly that in no time at all. The book, Beaded Hope, was published by Tyndale House Publishers and went on to win ACFW's Carol Award for women's fiction.

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?
I'd say people! My agent is always super positive -- and honest -- with me. And I have three critique partners who I've known for the past 16 years and are more like friends than just CP's. They are such a HUGE blessing to me and are always there to share the ups and downs of this crazy process. I met them when I first joined RWA and I can't imagine writing or life without them!

What’s the hardest part about writing for you?
Blocking out time and blocking out distractions! Oh, and then there's the writing part itself and getting the story to make sense. :) That's not so easy either.

What does your editor remind you to do most often?
I don't have the same editor. But my critique partners will remind me just to write. To get it down. It doesn't have to be perfect. The writing can be fixed and fixed, again and again.

What type of publicity does your publisher expect you to do in promoting your books?
I'd say Facebook, blogging, Goodreads - and I like to do newsletter and giveaways, those are always fun. Plus, I try to do local book signings.

What did you learn in publishing your first book that helped you in your writing?
That I could actually finish a book. I wasn't sure I could do that. As I mentioned, my first books were with Avalon and their books were around 55,000 to 65,000 words. Again, I learned about Avalon from my critique partners who'd already been published there (Amazon took over Avalon's catalog a few years ago.) So I thought Avalon was a great place to target myself so I could see if I actually could pull off an entire book.

What surprised you the most in writing/publishing your first book?
Again, that I could actually finish it. And I think also how attached you get to your characters. Then, how scary it was to let them go and see what other people thought of them.

What frustrated you the most?
Honestly, I was so thrilled to be getting a book published that I would've put up with any frustration. When that letter and contract came, I remember standing in my kitchen giving a big thanks to God and then squealing down the stairs to my husband's office beyond excited!!

What do you know now about writing that you wished you had known sooner?
For me, every project feels like I'm starting over again. I do think I'm maybe a bit more patient about my first chapters. I suppose I've learned I generally have to flush things out a lot before I get the right start.

What is the best advice you’ve been given about writing or that you’ve learned that you would like to pass along?
The other day a co-worker shared that her son's English teacher said when a person writes it's always best to leave the reader either laughing or crying. I think that's true. When your emotions are invested as either a reader or a writer you draw closer to the story and to the characters and it shows.

Do you have any other works in the process?
Yes, currently, I'm working on another women's fiction and doing some promotion for my new book, The Sisters of Sugarcreek, which just came out this month from Tyndale House Publishers. 

I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to share this story of three women of different generations and cultures (1 Amish, 2 English), and how friendship can always bring a stitch of hope, no matter what we're going through - losses and loves, trials and triumphs! 

Are there any last notes that you would like to add?

In my newest novel, The Sisters of Sugarcreek, the Secret Stitches Society is dedicated to bringing a stitch of hope to others. They sneak around in the night to anonymously drop off gifts that let those who are hurting or in need know someone cares.

“A stitch of hope, Rose would always say, was just the thing that could get a person through...”

That aligns with a campaign that the publishing team at Tyndale House are promoting. If you’d like to learn more about the campaign you can check out Tyndale’s site at: http://readthearc.com/stitching-hope-... I hope others will join in and enjoy Stitching Hope through Random Acts of Kindness.

If you would like to learn more about Cathy's current and future works, here are some links to get you started.

Website: www.cathyliggett.com

Her Newest book:http://www.cathyliggett.com/the-sisters-of-sugarcreek/ 

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

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/301364.Cathy_Liggett

A Texas Christmas: Author Interview with Jolene Navarro

How did you come up with the idea of your Christmas themed book?
It did not start out as a Christmas story. I had a heroine that had been in one too many weddings and now she was in her twin brother’s second wedding. Can you imagine how that made her feel? 

Where does the romance for her come in?
Her brother’s best man is the opposite of everything she wants in a husband. So we know where this is going, right? I love putting people together that don’t look like they would fit, but the side of her that is afraid of risk and lives in fear of making a mistake needed to be challenged. In walks the hero.

He’s an artist that lives in the moment and thrives on spontaneity. He was in and out of foster care as a child and has no family or traditions. He sees life as short and lives in the moment. This gets him in trouble, so together they learn to trust in God’s plan and enjoy every day with arms wide open while planning for the future. What better time for new beginnings and hope for the future than a Christmas wedding. So the story became a Christmas story with a lost soul in the midst of a huge family. It had to be Christmas. 

What made you decide to do a Christmas themed book?
Some fellow authors with Love Inspired and friends were doing an anthology and invited me to join them. The theme they already had was mistletoe memories. Of course that brings kissing to mind and for me I thought of the end of a wedding ceremony.

“You may kiss the bride.”

It makes me sigh every time.

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions? 

When I think of Christmas, I think of family. It has always been a big family event, from loading in the car to see the lights or getting the kids together to build gingerbread houses. Our town has a night time Christmas parade on Main Street. Christmas Eve is spent with my mother’s family out on a ranch in the Texas Hill Country. Christmas day is spent hanging out with my kids. With all the family get-togethers, comes the need for lots of food. I love cooking for the holidays.

What’s next? (future books, novellas, special appearances you want to mention) 

In July I will have my first Historical out. It's called, Lone Star Bride. It is set in the young county of the Texas Republic. Sofia De Zavala wants more than to be a housewife so she dresses up as a boy and joins the cattle drive leaving from her father’s ranch.

Right after that, in August my fifth Clear Water book will hit the shelves. A much loved reoccurring character single dad, Adrian De La Cruz, will get his chance at a happy ending with the Bergmann’s prodigal sister.

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

Writing takes perseverance and the wiliness to fail. In failure, you learn and go at it again. Other than that I’m a craft junkie. Book, workshops and conferences are a great way to sharpen your writing tools, but you have to finish the book and start a new one – edit, repeat.

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

As an author, you have more control that you know, but always take the time to listen to those in the business.

Any last words or tips?

Finish a story. There is power in writing the end. Then write another story. Enjoy the process.

That's all for today's interview. If you'd like to learn more about Jolene's writing and upcoming books, here's how to do that.

https://www.amazon.com/Jolene-Navarro/e/B00CGBRMCA/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_1

http://jolenenavarrowriter.com/

The Christmas Tree - A Christmas Romance by Allyson Charles

How did you come up with the idea of your Christmas themed book?
Every year I help a friend decorate her office building for Christmas. There are three trees, and even though that doesn’t sound like many, this takes all day. My friend is, needless to say, a perfectionist when it comes to tree decorating, and you’re not leaving until you get it just right. So as I was standing on a ladder hanging ornaments one year, and listening to my friend explain for the tenth time how she wanted the lights strung to some other poor sap (I’ve been well-trained and hardly ever get critiques anymore), the idea for THE CHRISTMAS TREE was born.

Could you give me a short synopsis of the story for my readers?
THE CHRISTMAS TREE follows the story of Sadie and Colt. Both of them have been sentenced to forty hours of community service decorating the town of Pineville’s Christmas tree. Sadie is a bit of a perfectionist. Colt just wants to get the thing done. Add in the fact that Sadie accidentally destroyed Colt’s truck, one he inherited from his brother, and let’s just say that these two do not get along. At first. This is a romance, after all, so the heat from their tempers ends up turning into another kind of heat.

What made you decide to do a Christmas themed book?
I love Christmas. I love the traditions, the food, the cheesy made-for-tv movies... And once I got the idea for Sadie and Colt clashing, and falling in love, under a town Christmas tree, I couldn’t get them out of my head.

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?
Every year my family makes fondue to eat as we decorate the tree and listen to carols. That’s always a good night. And I love our Christmas morning brunch of mimosas, coffee cake, bacon, and eggs. It’s simple and doesn’t require a lot of clean up. And we’re all usually too full to have to worry about dinner.

What’s next? (future books, novellas, special appearances you want to mention)
After THE CHRISTMAS TREE, the next book in my Pineville series, WHY DID IT HAVE TO BE YOU?, will be coming out in May 2017.

And I’ll be at a book signing with several other romance authors at Barnes and Noble in San Jose, CA (the one on Stevens Creek Blvd.) on December 10th. If anyone is in the area, I’d love to see you. You can check my website for more details:www.allysoncharles.com

What’s the best writing tip you’ve learned or been give that you’d like to share?
It’s obvious and trite, but still something I have to remind myself of every week – it’s the ABCs of writing – Apply Butt to Chair. Even if you’re not in the mood, even if every word you’re typing is crap, keep writing. Fixing bad writing is what the editing process is for.

What do you know now about writing and publishing you wish you had learned sooner?I’m still learning, every day. But I guess I would say, know your goals before you act. For example, if you want to get a movie deal from one of your books, make sure to hire an agent who does that kind of work. If you write fast and want to publish four or five times a year, then the slower pace of traditional publishing probably isn’t for you.

Any last words or tips?

Be patient. I know so many great authors who have published a couple of books but only have small sales to show for it. I don’t know what the magical number of books is, but I have faith that if you keep plugging away, eventually the readers will find you.

That's it for this holiday interview. Make sure you check back for more Christmas reads. If you'd like to learn more about Allyson's books, here's the way to do that. 

http://www.allysoncharles.com/newsletter-signup
http://www.facebook.com/AuthorAllysonCharles
http://www.twitter.com/1AllysonCharles
https://www.amazon.com/Allyson-Charles/e/B01FB8YTGG/

Taking it to the TV Screen:Author Interview with Romance Writer, Teri Wilson

Today I am pleased to feature one of the writers from San Antonio Romance Authors which is the local chapter of RWA where I am a member.  This is a wonderful group of writers who encourage each other and it seems someone is always available to give you tips and ideas for writing. If you are not part of a local writing group, I encourage you to find one that fits the genre you write and challenges you. I am currently a member of three writing groups and each is a fit for a type of writing I do. 

Now on to the interview...

I see your first book was published in 2008 with White Rose Press, but when did you start writing your first novel? How long did it take you to write it? 
To be totally honest, I don’t remember how long it took to write my very first books. But really, I didn’t know what I was doing back then anyway. Learning the craft takes time. I’m still learning. I learn something new with every book I write, and I love attending workshops at RWA and hearing advice from the best romance writers in the business. Unleashing Mr. Darcy took about a year from start to finish, but that included several revision passes with help from my agent. By the time we got to the third draft, we considered the book ready to send out to publishers. 

How long does it take you to write a book now?

Right now, when writing books on a new contract, I ask for 3-4 months for a category length book and 6-8 months for a longer single title book.

What did you learn in writing your first book that helped you in writing the next books?
In the beginning, I had a lot to learn about plot and pacing. All the changes my agent requested on Unleashing Mr. Darcy were related to pacing. She likes a fast-paced book. So we did a lot of cutting. It was painful. Ha ha.

Your book, Unleashing Mr. Darcy, has been made into a Hallmark Movie. Tell us about how that came about?
My agent, Elizabeth Winick Rubinstein, sold the film rights to Sydell Albert, the executive producer. Sydell has a long-standing relationship with my literary agency. She’d never worked with the Hallmark Channel before, though. I think even she was a bit surprised when they bought the project. We all were. (In a good way, obviously!)

The Darcy story is not the first one you've written that's based on a classic love

story. You've also done stories based on Romeo and Juliet and My Fair Lady/Pygmalian. What inspired you to do a fresh take on them?
The Darcy book came about because I have an enormous love for Jane Austen and her stories. My publisher, Harlequin HQN, asked me to write more retellings of classics. I chose Romeo and Juliet next because it’s pretty much known as THE love story of all time, and those two kids really deserved a happy ending. I was then drawn toward My Fair Lady because I love Audrey Hepburn. I’ve also written a modern version of Roman Holiday, but it has not yet been published.

How did you go about finding a publisher/agent? Which came first? 
I sort of signed with Harlequin and my agent right around the same time. An editor at Harlequin had seen a manuscript I’d submitted to Love Inspired and sent me a letter requesting that I revise and resubmit. So I’d incorporated all her changes, rewritten the ending and resubmitted. During the wait, I wrote the first three chapters of Mr. Darcy and sent them to Liz (my agent). We’d already been chatting for about a year, because she’d contacted me after reading one of the books I’d written for Wild Rose Press. But she’d yet to sign me. Once she saw the Darcy chapters, she signed me right away. Then she contacted the editor at Harlequin and negotiated a deal for the manuscript they had under review.

What should an author know before signing with an agent?
With regard to signing with an agent, I’d say it’s really important to find an agent who you trust and someone you have a good rapport with. Liz is my agent, but she’s also my friend. We have a great relationship.

What type of publicity does your publisher expect you to do in promoting your book? What do they do on your behalf?
At Harlequin, this differs depending on whether the book is single title or part of a category line. An author of a category book doesn’t have to do a lot of marketing. The lines have really loyal readers. Harlequin also does a good job marketing the different lines to their target audiences. I think the best way to sell a lot of books in a category line is to keep writing more books.

Single title is different, especially for a brand new author. No one even knows who you are, so why would they pick up your book? The publisher has a marketing department to help get word out, but the author has to do a lot of work on her/his own. I remember when I first met the head of HQN, she kept asking me which other HQN authors I knew who could help market my book. At the time I didn’t know any. It was a little daunting.

What do you know now about writing that you wished you had known sooner?
Part of me wants to say that I wish I’d known how difficult this business can be at times. But it doesn’t really matter. I love writing. I don’t just want to do it. I have to. It’s like a compulsion. I love it.

So I guess instead I’d say that having writer friends is really important. Every time I’m stuck on a story or a plot or struggling with an idea, it’s been my writer friends who save the day. Every. Single. Time. I honestly can’t imagine doing what I do without the encouragement and support of other writers.

What is the best advice you’ve been given about writing or that you’ve learned

that you would like to pass along?
It was something that Sylvia Day said in her keynote speech at RWA in 2014. She said that anyone who has been in this business for any length of time has had to reinvent themselves at least once. You may fail, but you can start over and if you work hard enough and want it bad enough, you can begin again. At the time of this speech, I’d just had my single title contract with HQN cancelled, and these were the exact words I needed so badly to hear. If your first chance doesn’t work out, things aren’t over. Do what you need to do to make another chance for yourself.

What other works are in the process?
I’m currently working on a new book series that I’m not allowed to talk about. It’s a secret. (Wink.) Look for a coming announcement in Publishers Weekly.

If you'd like to learn more about Teri and her writing, here's some options for you.
Website: www.teriwilson.net. 

She also writes fun non-fiction articles daily at https://hellogiggles.com/author/teri-wilson/
HelloGiggles is an entertainment and lifestyle website for women founded by Zooey Deschanel and now a division of People Magazine. 

From Pictures to Prose: Author Interview with Krista Noorman

As a professional photographer, you created pictures without words. What made you decide to create the words rather than the pictures?

I'm not sure it was really a conscious decision. I sat down to write my first novel during National Novel Writing Month (NaNo), mostly just to see if I could write a novel in thirty days. I was in the midst of a busy wedding photography season and had an idea to write about a wedding photographer with a broken heart, who was surrounded by happy couples. What happened during those thirty days was that I fell in love with writing. It made me happier than my photography ever had, and that's saying a lot, because I love photography.

When did you actually start writing your first book? Is that the one you first published? 

I began writing my first book on November 1, 2008 during NaNoWriMo and finished the first draft twenty-six days later. But that book was actually not the first one I published. I decided to publish The Truth About Drew first, which I wrote for NaNoWriMo in 2009. 

How long did it actually take you to write it? How many rewrites did you do? 

The Truth About Drew took a month to write (November 2009). I think I went through three drafts of that novel before getting it to the final edits. 

Who encouraged you along the way?

My biggest encouragements came from my husband, who read an early draft on an airplane and tried not to cry in front of the stranger seated next to him, and my mother-in-law, who emailed me when she finished reading it to tell me she would personally kick my butt if I didn't publish it.

Prior to publishing your two current novels, did you have other publishing credits? Who helped you edit your books? 

My two novels are my only publishing credits so far. I did all the initial editing myself and had a few trusted writer friends look it over. Then I went over it several more times with a fine tooth comb. It was a long process, but worth it in the end. 

Are you active with any writing groups?

I'm a member of a group of indie authors, who write clean fiction (no explicit sex, violence, or language in our novels), and their support has been wonderful. 

You’ve said NaNoWriMo inspired you to get serious about your writing. What did you learn from that experience? 

I participated in NaNoWriMo twice - in 2008 and 2009. At first, I did it just to see if I could. My husband had participated and I was curious. Could I write a novel in a month's time? I went for it and wrote what eventually became Goodbye, Magnolia. 

The following year, I did it again and that book became The Truth About Drew. The biggest thing I learned from NaNoWriMo was to get the idea out of your head and onto the page. That first draft will inevitably need a lot of work, but the basics of the story will be there.

You have written both a YA novel and a contemporary romance novel. Why two different genres? Do you have a preference of one over another? 

I enjoy reading many different genres, and it's the same with my writing. I loved writing both romance and YA, and I hope to venture into some other genres in the future. The ideas are flowing, and I've got a couple book ideas in Historical Romance and Dystopian.

What do you want readers to take away from your stories?

All of my novels have a message of faith, and I hope that will be encouraging and hopeful to my readers.

What made you decide to go the indie-publishing route? Did you pitch traditional publishers or agents? 

The idea of pitching my books to publishers and agents and having to face probable rejection was not something I looked forward to. I considered it, but then I began researching my options to self-publish and I knew I was more than capable to go that route. I do not regret it one bit and enjoy being in charge of the entire process of getting my books out into the world.

How do you write? Do you do an outline first? Do you do individual character development before doing the full plot?

Well, for the first two books, I wrote them in 3-4 weeks during NaNoWriMo. The first draft of my most recent work in progress took me two weeks to write. I'm not one who outlines. I have a basic idea of where I want the story to go, then I just write and see where it takes me. 

As far as character development, I made some character sheets with traits and backgrounds and such to help me get to know who my main characters were. That helps a lot in the process of figuring out where they came from and how they will deal with different situations.

What type of publicity has been the most successful in promoting your book? What has bombed and you will steer clear of in the future? 

Both of my books are fairly young (my first came out last spring), so I'm still learning the ins and outs of marketing. Being an indie-author, I've got to handle all of that myself and there's a lot to learn. I've been blogging for many years, so I write there about my books and writing and everyday life. I'm also very active on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. and promote my books everywhere. I also have an e-newsletter that I send out every month or two with information on my books, new releases, sales, etc. Haven't had anything "bomb" for me, but I have held a few sales where I did very little promotion outside of social media and didn't see much of a return there, which is not surprising.

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

I never realized just how much goes into making a book ready to publish before I was actually faced with doing it myself. It takes a lot longer to edit a book than it does to write it. All of mine were written in less than a month, but it takes many months of rewrites and even longer on the editing. I actually enjoy the process, though. Well, I'm not a huge fan of copy editing, but it's a necessary evil.

What other books do you have in the works?

I'm so excited for my upcoming book projects! My next book is called Until Then, the sequel to Goodbye, Magnolia, contemporary Christian romance. I'm in the rewrite stage on that one right now. I've got a dystopian series I want to start on and a historical Christian romance that I'm beginning to research.

What is the best advice you’ve been given about writing or that you’ve learned that you would like to pass along?

Write for you. I was once asked if I never made a cent on my writing, would I still write? And my answer was absolutely. I love telling stories and will keep telling them as long as there are new ideas flowing. The other thing I've learned is to just write. Get those ideas out of your mind and onto the page. Sit down and write that story you've been thinking about and you may be surprised where it takes you. I always am.

Are there any other notes you’d like to add?

Just a thank you for the interview. I appreciate you reaching out to me and asking to do this.

That's all for today's interview. Hope you've learned something to help you with your writing. If you'd like to learn more about Krista's writing and her upcoming projects, here's some way to do that. 

Blog: http://bykrista.com

Facebook Author page: http://facebook.com/bykristanoorman

Buying links: http://www.amazon.com/Krista-Noorman/e/B00KDU9AXK/

Stretching Your Creative Muscles: An Interview with Romance Writer, Alexis Morgan

My Interview today is with Alexis Morgan who is the author of more than thirty books, novellas, and short stories that span a variety of genres. She has been nominated for numerous industry awards, including the RITA© from the Romance Writers of America, the top award in the romance genre.

When did you publish your first book?

I sold two books on one phone call in 1992. The first book was a short contemporary romance published in 1993, but the publisher went out of business shortly before the second book was due to be released. That one was eventually published by a different publisher in 1996.

What do you think you learned from writing your first novel that helped you in the second one?

The first book I actually completed has never sold, but I just started writing and let the story tell itself. From that I learned that even though I'll never be a detailed plotter, it does make it easier to keep the story on track if I have at least a destination in mind before I set out on the journey.

After your first novel was published, did you think you could make a career at it?

I hoped I could, but I got off to a slow start. I didn't have another new sale until 1999, which came out in 2000. I've had books out every year since then.

Your writing includes different facets of the romance genre. Do you prefer one genre to write in more than another?
All writers have favorite themes underlying the stories they tell. It's those themes that are the common thread that run through all of my books regardless of the world they take place in. I love the world building that goes into creating a fantasy world or a town in the late 1800s. I've also enjoyed telling stories set in the 1870s, but also in modern day Seattle. I have to admit that I've loved building Snowberry Creek, the fictional town in my new series, from the ground up.

How do you keep the writing fresh and contemporary after so many books?

I think trying different genres helps to stretch my "creative muscles," which definitely helps to keep my writing fresh. I loved the challenge of creating a fantasy world for the Warriors of the Mist and building a small town like Snowberry Creek. It keeps me looking forward to sitting down at the computer to see what comes next.

How long does it take for you to write a book now?

It usually takes me three to four months to write a book and polish it up to send off to my editor.  I average about 30 pages a week, but I have to build in extra time to do edits on books that are already in production and to do other things like promotion, etc.

How many rewrites do you do?

I always edit the previous day's work before I start writing new pages, so I do a lot as I do the first draft of the book. Then about 2/3 of the way through the book, I usually stop and go back to the beginning to do a fresh read to make sure I haven't dropped any threads along the way. After I do reach the end, I do at least one more read through and polish before I send it my editor. Once I have her feedback, I do the revisions she has suggested. 

When you do research for your books do you ever actually visit the locations or is the research mostly internet or book researched?

It makes it easier to get the details right if I use locations that I'm familiar with for the settings in my books. I grew up in Missouri and have lived in the Pacific Northwest for a long time, so I've used those most often. I have used other areas that I've visited for the same reason. I have been to places that inspired settings in my books. For example, I visited one of the caves in Missouri. That gave me the idea for using one as the headquarters for my Paladins in that area.

Have you ever gone somewhere and thought this would be a great location to use as a backdrop to a story?

When I was starting to work on my Snowberry Creek series, my husband and I spent a day driving around in the area near Mount Rainier where I wanted to "park" my town. We took lots of pictures of the mountains, the foothills, and the surrounding landscape. It's a beautiful region just south and a bit east of the Seattle-Tacoma area.

Do you do the research or do you have an assistant?

I do my own research and use a mix of the internet and books. I tend to use the internet for quick answers (like when blown glass was developed), but books when I need more in depth information.

 

Do you think there will always be print books? Or do you think it will all go digital? How do you feel the digital market has changed the publishing industry for the better or worse?

I would hope that there will always be print books because I still love being surrounded by my favorites in my office. I do think that digital editions will continue to grow in number, and I love the convenience of my e-reader, especially when I travel. I think the digital market has opened up so many new venues for stories to be published, especially cross-genre stories that might have had a harder time finding a home with a more traditional publisher. 

You’ve also written under another pen name. Why the need for a different identity?

I've written all of my historicals under my real name Pat Pritchard. When I decided to do a major shift in directions to write paranormal romances, it seemed a good idea to take a new pen name to keep the different genres separate.  

How do you write? Did you do an outline first? Did you do individual character development before doing the full plot?

I almost always see the characters first and then the plot. I pick names, look for pictures to represent the characters, and then write a brief description of their emotional theme. After I've gotten to know the hero and heroine, I write a synopsis of the story, usually about eight double-spaced pages.

How much does social media play in your promotion of your books? What suggestions do you have for enhancing a writer’s social media platform?

I'm active on both Twitter and Facebook. I think it's important to be accessible to my fans, and I love the conversations we have on a variety of topics. Sometimes we talk about favorite sports teams, books, tv shows, and movies. On occasion, I ask my readers for their input on something I working on in a book, such as what kind of coffee would a man order (I drink tea) or a name for a character. 

Does your editor or publisher ever suggest you slant your books a certain way?

I've had my editor ask me to strengthen certain aspects of the story. For example, in my Snowberry Creek books, she pointed out that the characters were saying things to Mooch the dog that maybe they should be saying to each other. 

Since you've now proven yourself as a bankable writer, have any of your books been rejected by a publisher?

Yes, but not often. Rejection is part of the business. Sometimes it's a matter of them preferring one storyline over another. Or a couple of times, I've had them ask for a different story in a series than the one I was planning to do next. 

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

I think that learning to be disciplined and consistent about your writing is incredibly important. That's the only way the book ever gets written. And if you do sell to a publisher, you have to know how long it will take you to write the book so you can give your editor a realistic idea of when you can finish it.

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

Writing is by necessity a pretty solitary occupation. However, I think one of the best things you can do for yourself is to surround yourself with people who will applaud your victories and offer tea and sympathy when things aren't going right. 

Creating Meaningful Story Elements: An Interview with award-winning author, Susan May Warren

Today I am pleased to welcome to my blog Susan May Warren. She is a bestselling author of more than forty novels. Her books have been chosen as Top Picks by Romantic Times, won the RWA's Inspirational Reader's Choice contest and the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year award. She also runs a writing community for authors. Yet somehow she found time to do this interview and I thank her for it.

I am in awe at the number of books you have written and how you can easily move from different fiction styles. When did you publish your first book? Did you have an agent?

I published my first novel while living and working as a missionary in Russia.  I did not have an agent – I looked for publishers who would take unagented authors and worked with them.  My first novel was published because I won a contest Tyndale was having to discover new authors.

As a writer, do you think the requirements in producing a novel have changed since your first book?

No. I think a great story is a great story.  You need to understand storytelling elements and how to put together a novel that brings the reader through an emotional experience with the character. This is the crux of all novels, throughout time.

Your writing covers the romance spectrum from contemporary to historical and suspense. Do you have one genre that you feel more comfortable writing?

I love writing contemporary because I enjoy bringing into the story elements that I see in my everyday life.  But I love the challenge of writing historicals because of the research. I’m a research junkie.

One of your early pieces was for Pockets Magazine for children. Was that a non-fiction story? Is this something you’d like to go back and do some more?

I had an epiphany for a children’s story based on something that happened to my son, and wrote the story with Pockets in mind.  I am not necessarily a children’s writer, so it hasn’t been something I’ve pursued. But, if I get another epiphany….!

Since you write historical fiction, do you do your own research or do you have an assistant who does that for you? Is there one particular piece of research that surprised you?

No, I do my own research. I remember thinking, as I researched and wrote DUCHESS, that I didn’t realize that actors and actresses signed onto a studio like employees, and were paid a weekly sum, regardless of how much the movie made. (this was in the 1930s).  They felt a little like cattle, and the studios put them in whatever movies they wanted.  This was why United Artists (studio) was formed.  Interesting!

In your bibliography, it shows you publish multiple books each year. How do you find the time to be so prolific with raising a family? 

I write a book in about 3-4 months, including research and edits. I usually write a very rough draft, then do rewrites, then edit it, then proof it before I hand it into my publisher.  As for the kids – I write when they are at school, and am with them when they come home. But I have been known to take my computer to basketball games!

Have there been any books that you’ve felt strongly about writing that haven’t passed the editorial stage?

I have one series that I’m hanging onto, trying to decide what to do about it.  I haven’t really put it out into the marketplace yet, waiting for the right timing. But no, for the most part, my publishers have been on board with my ideas – and me, theirs! That’s important – you both want to love the story ideas.

You’ve received numerous awards for your writing over the years. Is there one that stands out with special meaning for you?

Probably the Christy, which I won this year.  I’ve been up for it six times, so it was very special to me to win.

You’ve also published books on writing and have several writing courses. What made you decide to go that route? What has been the most rewarding aspect you’ve had in helping others improve their writing craft?

I am a teacher at heart, so I loved helping people write their novels. But I was also fed up with all the different writing methods out there – it seemed so confusing to so many.  My method is very organic and intuitive, so I began to teach it and it caught on.  I teach based on my methods, so I really enjoy it, and I learn something every time I teach. I love it when I see someone’s eyes light up and they say, “for the first time, I finally get it!”  Cool!! 

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

Keep writing.  Seriously – don’t just finish a book and sit on it.  Find another story and write that. Dee Henderson gave me that advice. 

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

It Had to Be You.  It’s the 2^nd in the Christiansen Family series, and it’s a Good Samaritan story about two strangers who find a John Doe and decide to look for his family.  When they do, they discover not only each other, but they end up saving lives.  It’s a story about looking more closely at the people in our world instead of walking by them.

If you would like to book this book or learn about her other ones, here's the link to her website. if you would like to improve your writing, here's a link to her writing courses.