Greetings from Sarah Sundin in California! Today I have the joy of interviewing multi-published novelist Marsha Hubler, whose love for horses, children, and the Amish and Mennonites is expressed in her stories.
Marsha, How did you get into writing?
I started about twenty years ago with poetry, short stories, and articles published in magazines. I always had the desire to write, but life got in the way until I was in my forties.
Greetings from Sarah Sundin in California. Today I have the honor of interviewing Jane Hampton Cook - author, historian, and frequent commentator on Fox News. Jane's love of history and knowledge of the great lessons to be learned from the past infuse all her work. American Phoenix, about President John Quincy Adams and his wife Louisa, releases this week from Thomas Nelson.
Jane, How did you get into writing?
I wanted to find something I could do while also working from home and taking care of my children. Before my children were born, I stumbled into writing when I was working for then Texas Governor George W. Bush. He loved Sam Houston. Inspired, I did some research and then wrote a children’s book about Sam Houston and his daughter, Maggie. Working on weekends, it took me a year to research and write the book. I sought out a Texas educational publisher, instead of a New York one. Having that book published proved to me that I could do it. When I left the White House in 2003, I received a research fellowship from the White House Historical Association and pursued writing full-time until my children were born. I carved out writing time during naps, and later, during preschool and school hours.
Greetings from Sarah Sundin in California. Today I have the joy of interviewing new CAN member, novelist Sharon Srock. Sharon has already made herself much loved in the Christian writing community for her upbeat attitude and how she helps promote other authors on her lovely blog.
Sharon, how did you get into writing?
I tried to write for publication twenty-five years ago and never really succeeded. I had a few poems and short stories published in Star Trek fanzines, but the novel I wrote never saw the light of day. I know now that God had another direction for my writing. Three years ago a new employee stopped by my desk at work to introduce herself. In the course of that conversation, she mentioned that she was a writer. I told her that had been my dream at one time. She looked at me and spoke five words: “You gave up too soon.” It was like my wake-up call from God. That night I began Callie’s story.
How many books do you have published?
Callie, the first book in The Women of Valley View series, came out in October 2012, and the second book, Terri, just released this month.
Greetings from Sarah Sundin in California! Today I have the honor of interviewing suspense writer, Linda J. White. I enjoyed meeting Linda at the ACFW Conference a few years ago and loved reading her new novel, Seeds of Evidence. What a page-turner!
Linda, how did you get into writing?
I was a mom at home, raising three kids. When my youngest was ready to go to kindergarten, I started praying, “OK, God, what do you want me to do with the rest of my life?” I had done a lot of volunteer writing for churches and preschools, so it seemed natural to segue into freelancing for pay. I began trying my hand at magazine articles, devotionals, adult Sunday school materials and so on. One day, I had an idea for a novel. My husband said, “You ought to write that!” At first, I thought, “Sure, right.” But he dragged me over to the FBI Academy and began introducing me to people who taught me everything from probable cause to pistols. And I wove it all into a story. That book has not yet been published. In fact, I wrote three manuscripts before Bloody Point, which was picked up by an imprint of Cook and published in 2005.
What are your latest titles?
My latest, Seeds of Evidence, from Abingdon Press, was released April 1. Words of Conviction comes out next April.
Greetings from Sarah Sundin! This past week I attended Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference, where I roomed with one of my dearest friends - and this week's interviewee - Sherry Kyle. Sherry writes for tween girls (8-12 years) and also writes women's fiction. Her newest women's novel, The Heart Stone, has an official release date of April 1, but is already available now!
Sherry, how did you get into writing?
When my children were young, I'd take them to the public library, and we'd check out a dozen books every couple of weeks. As we snuggled on the couch and read books together, I kept thinking how fun it would be to be an author. Finally, I acted on my dream and enrolled in the Institute of Children's Literature, taking both the beginner and advanced courses. Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference and American Christian Fiction Writers have also been instrumental in helping me continue my education and learn the craft of writing.
How many books do you have published?
I have one children's book and two novels in print, with two more girls' books on the way. The Christian Girl's Guide to Style, Delivered with Love, and The Heart Stone are my current titles.
Greetings from Sarah Sundin in California. Today I have the privilege of interviewing multi-published women's fiction author and speaker, Stacy Hawkins Adams.
Stacy, how did you get into writing?
I'm one of those "born writers" - one who started writing short stories and poems soon after I learned to read and write. Throughout my childhood, relatives, friends, and teachers encouraged me as a writer, and I always dreamed of penning books. My love of writing led me into a journalism career, where I served as a newspaper reporter and columnist for thirteen years. I loved that career, but my dream of becoming an author never faded, so I was elated when my first novel was published in 2004.
How many books do you have published?
I have had eight books published - one nonfiction spiritual devotional book, and seven women's fiction novels. My next novel - Lead Me Home - is slated for release by Zondervan in July 2013. My other recent titles include Coming Home, which was a 2012 Target Stores Recommended Read; Dreams That Won't Let Go, The Someday List, and my nonfiction book, Who Speaks to Your Heart? Tuning in to Hear God's Whispers.
Continue reading "Tips from the Pros: Stacy Hawkins Adams" »
Greetings from Sarah Sundin in California! Today I have the privilege of interviewing historical fiction author Roseanna White. I've enjoyed getting to know her on line, and love her skill with words and her sense of humor.
Roseanna, how did you get into writing?
I've been writing since I learned how to put pencil to paper in primary school. It was a day when I was out sick with an ear infection that I realized I could entertain myself by scratching a story about a princess with a magical hair bow on some scrap paper--and there's been no stopping me since!
A magical hair bow--I want one of those. How many books do you have published?
I now have four books available and another five contracted. My most recent are Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland, set in 1783, and the just-released Revolutionary War spy romance, Ring of Secrets.
How did you get your first book contract?
My first books were small press. WhiteFire Publishing is actually owned by my hubby, so we launched with my biblical novels to keep from experimenting on anyone else. Those titles have both done very well, but I kept pursuing contracts with the bigger houses as I worked for WhiteFire. Both my contract with Summerside and my series with Harvest House were the result of making a connection with the editors. Both actually rejected the first manuscripts they took to committee (both contemporaries), but liked my writing and asked to see other projects. The Lord definitely had His hand in that, leading me back to my first love--historical romance--in both cases.
Greetings from Sarah Sundin in California. As Valentine's Day approaches, it's especially fun to feature Christian romance author Cecelia Dowdy! Cecelia has a unique background for a writer - with a degree in finance, she worked as an accountant for a travel agency and was able to travel the world. Nothing stokes story ideas like travel!
Cecelia, how did you get into writing?
About fifteen years ago, I didn't have a book to read during my lunch break, so I started writing. I've been writing ever since.
How many books do you have published?
Five. Three of my titles (John's Quest, Milk Money, and First Mates) have recently been re-released as e-books.
Greetings from Sarah Sundin! Today I have the honor of interviewing historical fiction author Stephanie Reed - on her 32nd wedding anniversary! Congratulations on achieving such a wonderful milestone.
Stephanie, how did you get into writing? How many books do you have published?
Writing is what I always wanted to do. I have two books published by Kregel, Across the Wide River, and the sequel, The Light Across the River. The next book from Kregel will be The Bargain, with a sequel to follow.
How did you get your first book contract?
Kregel still accepted unsolicited manuscripts in those days, which helped me get my foot in the door, but clearly the Lord held the door open a crack.
Greetings from Sarah Sundin in California. Today I have the honor of interviewing Jill Elizabeth Nelson, the winner of the 2010 Carol Award for best short contemporary suspense.
Jill, how did you get into writing?
My writer's journey began as an introverted child with her nose stuck in a book. In the sixth grade, I was blessed with a teacher who perched on a stool and read to the class from the most imaginative stories. Something in this process of hearing a story awakened a realization in me--I didn't merely want to be a person who received pleasure from a good book; I wanted to be the person who gave that pleasure to others. Despite the early realization of my calling, it still took decades of hard work and sometimes heartache and even giving up on the dream for periods of time before I received my first novel contract in 2005.
How many books do you have published?
My tenth book, Betrayal on the Border, released in November 2012. In the past couple of years, I've also had the pleasure of partnering with Hannah Alexander in a two-novella Christmas book, Season of Danger, and of releasing another romantic suspense, Legacy of Lies.
Continue reading "Tips from the Pros: Jill Elizabeth Nelson" »
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