A Little Reminder

First off, just a reminder to comment on last week's {Writer Wednesday} post with author Gail Pallotta to enter for a chance to win an ebook copy of her novel Stopped Cold! I'll be announcing the winner tomorrow so leave your comment by 9pm tonight!

E.A. Creative Photography

I've been having so much fun getting to know the authors who's headshots I did at the ACFW Conference! If you missed it last week, I posted the first of my 3 part post of headshots. You can find that post [here]. I'm excited for the next post and getting to share more about these amazing authors.

To the side, you can see just a few examples of the headshots. I just love seeing their bright smiles and remembering my time with each of these dear people.

I'd highly suggest you check out the post so that you can not only see their photos a little larger, but also so that you can follow links to their blogs, websites, and books!

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In other news, I've been preparing madly for NaNoWriMo (more on this in another post coming soon...). Yes, reading and writing friends, I'm gearing up for a month of crazy, novel-writing fun and hecticness that is National Novel Writing Month. I'm really excited for the plot I've decided to go with and can't wait to start on it. But - wait, I must. There's no writing (on this book at least) until November 1st!

What have you all been up to? 

Gail Pallotta {Writer Wednesday}

Hello and happy Wednesday! It's been a full few weeks for me but I'm happy to announce that I've finished all photos from the ACFW Conference! This means I may actually get some time to write here or there ;) But, for today, I'm excited to introduce you to author Gail Pallotta. Give her a big welcome!!

She has also offered to do an ebook GIVEAWAY of her novel Stopped Cold. Make sure you comment below (by 9pm Monday the 14th) to enter for a chance to win this novel! I'll announce the winner next Tuesday, October 15!

A little bit about Gail...

Award-winning author Gail Pallotta’s a wife, Mom, swimmer and bargain shopper who loves God, beach sunsets and getting together with friends and family. She’s been a Sunday school teacher, a swim-team coordinator and an after-school literary instructor. A former regional writer of the year for American Christian Writers Association, she won Clash of the Titles in 2010. Her new teen book, Stopped Cold, is a best-seller on All Romance eBooks. She’s published short stories in “Splickety” magazine and Sweet Freedom with a Slice of Peach Cobbler. Some of her published articles appear in anthologies while two are in museums.

How to connect with Gail...

Website: http://www.gailpallotta.com 
Blog: http://www.gailpallotta.blogspot.com
On staff at: http://www.clashofthetitles.blogspot.com
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17879103-stopped-cold
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorsandMorehttps://www.facebook.com/AuthorsandMore
Twitter: @Hopefulwords
Purchase her book: on Amazon

Author Interview | Gail Pallotta


You & Writing

Tell us a little bit about yourself: How did you start writing?
...I’ve been writing as long as I can remember. The first published work was in a grammar school newspaper a friend and I put out. 

What has kept you writing? 
...It’s a part of me, what I do. My husband probably has the best explanation. He says I have pretend people running around my head, and I have to let them out. LOL.

Do you have a favorite book or work that you’ve written?
...They’re all special in their own way.

What was the hardest thing about publishing?
...It’s hard to say which is more difficult, finding a publisher or promoting the book. The easiest? I’m not sure anything about it is easy, but the most fun part is getting the story down on paper.

Your Writing

Tell us a little bit about your book or what you’re working on currently?
...Stopped Cold is a Christian teen sports mystery set in a small town in the North Carolina mountains, but things aren’t what they seem in Mistville. Margaret McWhorter enjoys flirting with Jimmy Willmore, swimming and hanging out with friends—until that day. Her brother, Sean, suffers a stroke from taking a steroid. Now he’s lying unconscious. Margaret’s angry at her dad for pushing Sean in sports, but a fire of hatred burns inside her to make the criminals pay. Looking for justice, she takes Jimmy and her best friend, Emily, through a twisted, drug-filled sub-culture. Even the cop on the case can’t stop them from investigating. All the while Margaret wants to cure Sean, heal the hate inside, and open her heart to love.

Why are you/did you write it?
...First of all, I wanted to write a fun book. As a youngster I loved mysteries, especially when the kids, like Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, solved the case. My book’s reminiscent of those amateur sleuths.

...The message rattled around in my head for a long time. Over the years I’ve seen instances when not being number one created great pain for a child or young adult. Whether the pressure came from within, peers, siblings or parents, the need to be “better than everyone else” rather than “the best one could be” often hurt and sometimes led to destruction. We don’t have to be number one for God to love us. He’s given each of us a gift or gifts to use for Him.

Do you have a favorite character in this work?
...I like them all, but if I had to choose, I’d pick Margaret. 

If so, why? 
...She’s someone I can relate to, sympathize with and definitely root for her. I want her to succeed in finding the drug dealers who hurt her brother and to find peace through her faith.

What is one take-away from your book that you hope readers identify with?
...God’s given each of us a gift or gifts to use for Him.

Writing

Where do you find inspiration for your story/characters?
...Life. Sometimes I experience something. Sometimes I observe something. Are they based on real life or pure imagination or both? Both.
When you write, what is your overall intention with your stories? 
...To write something people will enjoy reading that adds meaning to their lives.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors for writing and/or publishing?
...Keep writing, learning about writing and don’t give up.

You

In honor of the fall, what’s your favorite fall treat?
...Chocolate. Hmm. Did I say chocolate?

When you were a child, what did you dream of growing up to be? 
...I’ve always loved to write, but at one time I remember wanting to be a detective.

Will you participate in National Novel Writing Month? If so, what’s your plan to keep your writing on track? 
...No. I’m working on several projects that are keeping me busy.

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Thank you so much for this wonderful interview Gail! I love your husbands explanation of why you keep writing! I too experience those "imaginary people" :) I really connected with what you said about being the best or being first. I see it often in the teens that I work with through my church - there is so much pressure on them to be the best in sports or school or music etc. and that transfers over into how they view God loving them. Almost like they have to be good enough for Him to love them. It's such a dangerous lie to believe.

Thanks again for sharing with us and for offering the GIVEAWAY! Don't forget, Readers, leave a comment below to enter for a chance to win Stopped Cold!

Rebecca Carey Lyles {Writer Wednesday}

Hi, all. Welcome back (or for the first time) to Thinking Thoughts. Today's {Writer Wednesday} post features a second-timer to the blog, Rebecca Carey Lyles. If you missed her post last time, you can find it here.

A little bit about Rebecca...

Rebecca Carey Lyles grew up in Wyoming, the setting for her Kate Neilson novels. She currently lives in Idaho, where she serves as an editor and a mentor for aspiring authors and as a coach for women transitioning from prison to life on “the outside.” Winds of Freedom is the sequel to the award-winning first book in the Kate Neilson series, Winds of Wyoming.

How to connect with Rebecca...

Website: http://www.beckylyles.com
Email: beckylyles@beckylyles.com
Facebook: Rebecca Carey Lyles
Twitter: @BeckyLyles 
Blog: http://www.widgetwords.wordpress.com
You can purchase her book here.

Author Interview | Rebecca Carey Lyles

You & Writing

You visited my blog several months ago to talk about your first book in the Kate Neilson Series, Winds of Wyoming. Now the sequel is available, Winds of Freedom. How many books are you planning to include in the series, and what’s the purpose of the series?
...At this moment, all I can foresee for the series is a trilogy. I feel like Kate’s story will be complete with the publication of the (unwritten) third book, Winds of Change. But you never know. Something in book three could change my thinking. If not, I’ll finish the first book in a Montana series I’m planning.

...The purpose of the series has been to first of all portray incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals as real people trying to become good citizens, not monsters bent on terrorizing society. Yes, I know prisons are full of evil people (actually, we’re all evil until we’ve been cleansed by Jesus’ blood). However, while involved with prison ministry, I discovered that many if not most inmates are products of dysfunctional childhoods and poor choices who want to grow beyond their upbringing and failures. Secondly, I want to depict the challenges ex-inmates face when they’re released, from finding a job to beginning a new life, to avoiding old habits and hangouts, to establishing a sense of self-worth and a solid relationship with God.

What is writing like for you? Do you find it hard or easy?
...I wish I could say writing is easy for me, but I’ve always found it difficult to drag thoughts from my head through my fingers to the computer. What seems to work best for me is to slap down a rough draft and then go over my work again and again to get it to make sense. Even then, I desperately need my editor’s assistance plus input from beta-readers and proofreaders to create a quality final product.

Your Writing
Where did you get your idea for your newest book?
...The idea for Winds of Freedom came years ago when the relative of a neighbor walked into an airport restroom and never came out—as far as her husband and children knew. Although they didn’t see her exit the restroom, she must have snuck past them wearing a disguise, because they later learned she’d slipped away to start a new life. Several weeks after her disappearance, she returned to pick up her clothing and other personal items. She didn’t tell her husband where she was living or what she was doing, only that she no longer had to clean house or take care of children. To add to the mystery, she was wearing a collar around her neck.

 

Tell us more about Winds of Freedom.
...Here’s the blurb: 

Winter storms blast across the Whispering Pines Guest Ranch, and a cold wind blows through Kate Neilson’s soul. Despite her pain, Kate’s well-being takes a backseat to the needs of loved ones: her best friend, who’s been ensnared by evil; her failing great-aunt, whose dementia care keeps Kate guessing; and Laura and Mike Duncan, whose ranch and livelihood are threatened by a land-grabbing neighbor.

What is one take-away from your book that you hope readers identify with?  

Sometimes people find themselves in abusive situations that are nearly impossible to escape. 

...I trust Winds of Freedom will inspire readers to pray for those in bondage and assist them however possible. Here’s the scripture I included at the beginning of the novel:

“Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me. Set me free from my prison, so I can thank you.” Psalm 142:6-7a (NLT/NIV)

Writing
When you write, what is your overall intention for your stories?
...Other than what I said above about supporting inmates, ex-inmates and those trapped by abuse, I pray my writing draws readers to a deeper relationship with God. I also strive to make the stories suspenseful with a bit a humor added here and there. 

Here’s my tagline: Contemporary Christian Romance Set in the West and Salted with Suspense.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors for writing and/or publishing?
...Don’t be afraid to dump your most beautiful writing. My original beginning for Winds of Wyoming was sooo lovely—and sooo wrong for the story.

You
What’s your favorite activity in the fall?
...Besides crunching through leaves on my daily walks, I like to bike the greenbelt along the river and drive through the mountains to see the changing leaves. This fall, I have the added joy of watching my daughter marry her longtime love.

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Thanks so much, Rebecca, for joining us here on the blog. I loved hearing about your next book - sounds exciting and intriguing - and I love the takeaway you give. I believe every author, no matter what they write, carries with them a theme. It may not always be worked out in the same way, but I think you can see it through their writing. 

And great advice to those who are aspiring to be published - I've learned that lesson myself. Sometimes you have to get whole books out of your system before truly finding your voice. 

Thanks again!

What do readers want?

I read a tweet the other day by the ever-wise, Emily Rodmell about what readers want.

This really got me thinking. I mean, I'm a reader...and yes, I do want that too! But, then I felt discouraged (as a writer) thinking, "But what if I don't want the first two characters to be the hero and heroine?" I guess that was the rebellious side of me speaking out.

From a reader-perspective, I'd say that I totally agree. I want to know soon into the book who is who because I start to form opinions about the characters right off the bat. If it appears to be the hero and heroine, I immediately start to wonder, "How will they end up together?" or "How will X-issue be solved?"

I remember reading one book where, when I was introduced to the hero, I had a mental image of him with grey hair and wrinkles (not that these are bad) so I was thinking, this guy is older. But then, a few chapters later, I realized that he was the hero/main character and was supposed to be young, manly, and athletic (of course). I remember having the hardest time getting the wrong image of him out of my mind. He was forever and older man when I pictured him in my mind. Now, I'm not saying that was purely the writers fault. It is entirely possible I misread a description or added characteristics that were never there. Either way, it really colored the story for me (in a not-so-good way).

From a writer-perspective though, I want to push the envelope. Obviously, Emily Rodmell knows exactly what she's talking about - this post isn't to debate her tweet at all because I agree.

But I want to know if it's possible to stretch the limits of readers?

>>How do YOU, reader, feel when you read a book?
>>If you weren't introduced to the hero until later in the novel, would you be angry, or just intrigued?

In any case, these things would have to be done well. I understand you have to satisfy your reader with a legitimate plot and an understandable (practical?) explanation as to why things work out the way they do.

I want to hear what you (readers and authors alike) have to say on this subject. I'm so interested to hear thoughts and opinions on this. I don't think there's a solid right answer, but it could be fun to discuss!

Please feel free to comment below :)

Margaret Brownley {Writer Wednesday}

Please welcome Margaret Brownley to the blog! I'm excited for you to get the chance to know more about this wonderful author.

A little bit about Margaret...

Thrills, mystery, suspense, romance; Margaret penned it all. Nothing wrong with that—except she happened to be writing for the church newsletter. After making the church picnic read like a Grisham novel, her former pastor took her aside and said, "Maybe God's calling you to write fiction."

So that’s what Margaret did. She now has more than thirty books to her credit, is a New York Times bestselling author and past Romance Writers of America RITA finalist—not bad for someone who flunked 8th grade English. Just don’t ask her to diagram a sentence.

How to connect with Margaret...

Website: www.margaretbrownley.com
Blog: www.petticoatsandpistols.com
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/163681.Margaret_Brownley
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MargaretBrownleyAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/margaretbrownly
To purchase her books: She prefer readers to support local bookstores, but the book can be purchased on line here: http://www.amazon.com/Gunpowder-Brides-Chance-Ranch-Series/dp/1595549722/ref=pd_sim_b_1

Author Interview | Margaret Brownley

You and Writing
Tell us a little bit about yourself: How did you start writing? What has kept you writing?
...I wrote my first book in fifth grade—a mystery I didn’t know how to end (still don’t). After flunking eighth grade English, my teacher told me not to even think about being a writer and for many years I didn’t. School, work, marriage and babies took up most of my time, but the writing bug never left. After being encouraged by my pastor to go for broke, I started writing my first novel. I was teaching at the time so I got up at 4 a.m. and wrote for two hours before waking the children and getting myself ready for work. Five years and four books later I sold my first novel.
...What’s kept me writing? The stories that keep popping up inside and letters from readers.

Do you have a favorite book or work that you’ve written? If so, why?
...This is like picking out a favorite child, but I have to say that Gunpowder Tea tops the list. I’ve always wanted to write a mystery and this book allowed me to go places I’ve not gone before...It has everything I love in a book; romance, laughter, mystery and faith, but I especially love the chemistry between the hero and heroine

What was the hardest thing about publishing? The easiest?
...I’ve been in the business for twenty-five years and I would say the hardest thing has been keeping up with all the changes. Back then, the bookstore was king. Now it’s the Internet. Just when I think I’ve got a handle on social media, it changes. My grandkiddies just informed me I’m behind the times because I’m not on Instagram. The easiest? There is no easy.

Your Writing
Tell us a little bit about your book
...The heroine of Gunpowder Tea is a Pinkerton detective trying to track down a notorious outlaw suspected of hiding out on the Last Chance Ranch. She has good reason for suspecting Taggert of being the outlaw; mainly because he robbed her on the train. Little does she know that he’s a Wells Fargo detective also working undercover.

Do you have a favorite character in this work? If so, why?
...It was a lot of fun writing about a female Pinkerton detective. I really love the interaction between Annie and Taggert. They start off suspecting each other of being the bad guy. Then they’re in competition to see who can track down the outlaw first. It’s just so much fun!

What is one take-away from your book that you hope readers identify with?
...The Pinkerton logo is an eye and the theme running through the book comes from John 9:25: I was blind, now I see. How true that is on so many levels. Sometimes we see only what we want to see or that which is the most evident. God encourages us to look beyond the surface and see the person inside.

Writing
Where do you find inspiration for your story/characters? Are they based on real life or pure imagination or both?
...Actually Annie was inspired by a real person. Kate Warne was the first female detective and worked as a Pinkerton operative during the 1860s. She helped stop the first assassination attempt on Lincoln’s life.

When you write, what is your overall intention with your stories?
...I’m afraid my goals when writing are far from lofty. My first consideration is to entertain and delight the reader. Second, my goal is to make them care about the characters. My aim for the end of the book is to leave readers smiling and feeling more hopeful.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors for writing and/or publishing?
...First, enjoy the process; it’s easy to get so caught up in making that first sale that we forget the sheer pleasure of putting words on paper and telling our stories. Each step of the writing journey is exciting. Mine it for all its worth. Beginners have the luxury of giving a novel all the time and care that it needs. Professionals have deadlines to meet.
...Second: Rejections are not the end of a story; they are only the beginning. Think of them as an opportunity to find a better publisher or improve the work. I had one book rejected seventeen times before it found a publisher—and then it helped launch a new line. Thank God for those seventeen rejections.

You
When you get an idea for a novel, what is the first thing that you do?
...I run it by my agent or editor.
 
September is Classical Music Month (who knew?). In keeping with that theme, do you have a favorite character from a classical novel?
...Jo in Little Women was my role model growing up. I loved her spunk and that she was a writer. I wanted to be just like her.

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Thank you so much for joining us at Thinking Thoughts today, Margaret. I know when I first read your short bio I laughed--hard--and could completely relate (working for a church myself). Fiction does seem a lot more fun to write versus bulletin inserts ;)

I also love your intentions for your books! You say they aren't lofty, but I think they are fantastic. Who doesn't want to be encouraged and feeling more hopeful after reading a great book? And when you said that you were rejected 17 times I'll admit that I was encouraged! To look at you and your prosperous writing career now gives us all hope to keep writing.

Readers, make sure you mark your calendars. Gunpowder Tea will be released on Amazon October 8th. It'll definitely be worth the wait, I'm sure!

Awakened Love Giveaway Winner

I just love giveaways! What's better than winning a book??? I'd say, not much :)

I'm excited to announce the winner of Laura Hilton's book Awakened Love ....

Wendy Newcomb

Congrats Wendy! I'll send your contact info to Laura and she'll get you your copy of Awakened Love!

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If you didn't see my interview with Laura, be sure to check it out [here]. And, if you didn't win, you can still find her book on Amazon.

Check back tomorrow for another {Writer Wednesday} interview :)

Giveaway Reminder and A Question

Don't forget, my Thinking Thoughts readers - you have until 9pm TODAY to comment on Laura Hilton's recent {Writer Wednesday} interview for a chance to win her latest release, Awakened Love! She has asked that you leave your favorite fall snack in the comments. Just reading them makes me hungry ;)

You can find the post here. 

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In other news, I've had a blast going through all of the photos I took at the ACFW Conference! One thing I've noticed is that Frank Peretti loves to make funny faces!!! Ah, the things you learn about your favorite authors at a writers conference.

Boots and leaves!

Also, the onset of fall is finally upon Southern California! Ok, so it's not that cold and it's not that fall-like, but hey, this girl will take what she can get. On my run this morning I saw the sunrise threading its fingers through the leaves of a nearby oak and thought...yes, it really is becoming fall. I've learned to adjust my expectations having lived in So. Cal. for 6 years now. Unfortunately, it will more than likely be over 90 degrees today, but I can rest assured that a change in season isn't too far off.

What is your favorite part about fall?? 

I'll share mine in a post later this week!