I am happy to have Deborah here at the Pen to Paper Blog.  Deborah has alot of information for writers so lets get started

                              

 

  

1. Tell us something about you and your books

 

I write Western romance set in Montana. My heroines are strong women, because you had to be very strong to survive on the frontier, but they are also Victorian ladies. My heroes are alpha males, because when you have gun-toting, horse-riding cowboy types, they are all strong, take charge men.

 

I have a degree to teach American history, so I’m compelled to write stories set within that context. That’s not an easy sell, but I love to write about the way men and women created our country, with hard work, perseverance and faith.

 

 

1.  Are there any new authors who have grasped your attention?

 

I’ve been reading a lot of Steampunk, which is set in the Victorian era. Gail Dayton is a talented writer, and I loved her book,” New Blood”. She isn’t exactly a new author, but she’s new to me.

 

1. Do you have any advice for other writers?

 

Don’t give up, don’t quit. I had five years from the sale of my first book to the sale of the second one. I wrote 3 books in-between, and still keep sending them out. You collect rejections, and if you see some of the same messages, you revise. Keep writing.

 

1. What’s your latest book about?

 

“Promise Me” is the story of a young widow, Amanda Wainwright, who suffered through a loveless marriage with an older man that was arranged by her father. She made a deathbed promise to her husband to go to Willow Creek and help the miners. He was searching for repentance, but Amanda is searching for meaning for her life. She meets Sam, who is a handsome, charming and glib businessman. What she doesn’t know is that Sam is actually a Secret Service agent, in town to investigate a conspiracy of mine owners to control the price of silver and possibly change the US monetary system. The story is about how they meet, have an affair and fall in love set against the backdrop of a wild mining town.

 

1. Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

 

I visit Montana almost every year, so the setting seems to come from trips there and my love of the landscape. My characters come from studying people, hearing personal stories and taking the “What if?” question to a full development into an outline, then a story.

 

1. What promotional ideas can you give to other beginning authors?

 

Because part of my job is arranging author events for one of the busiest library systems in the country, I always advise authors to consider ways to promote with libraries. Many authors only consider book stores when they want to promote, but libraries are in the READING business, so they can help you reach a new audience. And the promotional opportunities are quite amazing, and usually free to the author.

 

1. What advice would you give to somebody trying to get a literary agent?

 

I’ve sold two books without an agent, and since I haven’t really gone through the process, I can’t give advice. Sometimes you can sell directly to a publisher, and the might make it easier to find an agent to represent you. Since I work in the “book business” I have a lot of knowledge and experience. While an agent would get me read by some houses I can’t contact, at this point in my career it’s not something I’m focused on.

 

1. Are there any thing you would like to say to other aspiring writers?

 

Keep writing – and while it’s important to create something new, it’s also important to revise what you’ve written. Many writers stop at the point where they could benefit from one more deep, concise and through edit. I learned this from my last editor, who was fabulous by the way. But much of what she pointed out to me should have been fixed before I submitted it. I work much harder now on the editing part. I can write very fast, and just let my imagination go in the creation phase because I know I’ll be working equally hard to polish and edit the manuscript.

 

Also, don’t go against the grain. I hear so much about not writing to the market, and while that’s true, if I had written anything except a Western I think it would have been easier to publish my second book. Because I don’t write historical romance set in England or Scotland, it’s been more difficult for me to build a career. But, I can’t write what doesn’t feel good to me, so if you do insist on writing outside the NY publishing box, you might have better luck with a small publishing house or an E-book publisher.

 

1. As a child what did you want to do when you grew up?

 

I wanted to be an actress and dancer. But, my mother was a single parent trying to raise three daughters. There wasn’t money for dance lessons, so I became a teacher. I played school a lot with my sister and cousins, so I know that was part of my dream too.

 

1. As a writer and published author how do you feel about e-publishing

 

I have thought e-publishing was the future for over eight years. When I was first hired at the library system, we had a program from the man who was creating the typeface for the Microsoft E-Reader, (which was never launched by the way). He said something that really did resonate with me. “Do you think five years into the future we will be cutting down trees to publish books?” There’s tremendous waste with traditional publishing, because so many books are published in Southeast Asia, transported by boat to the US, shipped to bookstores, and then many destroyed when they don’t sell. No wonder publishers have difficulty making money – it’s an 18^th century model! With e-books and POD (Publish on Demand) there is less waste of precious resources, and your book never goes out of print. The Kindle has proven the public will read digital books, and I think it’s exciting. There will be always be print books, but the e-book is another very viable format.

                                                           

                                                               

1. What advice would you give to other aspiring authors about getting their work placed with a big publishing company?

 

Consider what your reasons are for wanting that – are you imagining a huge advance? Many publishers don’t pay large advances to first time authors, so you might be shocked at what you are offered. Is there a reason you have a “dream publisher” and be clear what that is, and then create a series of objectives, a work plan to get you there. It might include small steps like publishing with smaller presses. Or you might have the book that publisher is looking for, and if you do – find a way to get it in front of them if you don’t have an agent. I won two major contests with my first book, and the second one came with a publishing contract. Look for those kinds of opportunities.

 

12.  Please give us a list of all of your books currently available.

 

“Promise Me” will be released on January 22, 2010. My first book, “Beneath a Silver Moon” is available used on Amazon, but is out of print. That’s one of the reasons I love being published by The Wild Rose Press, because in addition to great attention to detail, being part of a business owned and operated by women and the amazing editorial support I received, my book will never go out of print.

 

13.  How long does it take you to do research on the books you write?

 

I spend a lot of time on research, before I start a book and while I’m writing it. But, I also have a system of jumping over the details and doing the specific research after I’ve written the first draft.

 

1. How do you give credit to any research you do?

 

I don’t use research verbatim, like a high school history lecture. I use research to create the mood of the times, to know how people dressed, how they spoke and what they were interested in, but it’s fiction – and Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick has pointed out that if we make mistakes, our readers will forgive us. They want a good story, not a historical non-fiction book.

 

1. What inspired you to become a writer?

 

I love telling make-believe stories about imaginary people. Watching a world take shape word by word is an astonishing thing. First you have people on paper, but eventually – at least for me – you hear their voices, know what they are feeling and become part of their world. Then you publish that story and other people can visit that world too.

 

1. How did you go about getting published?

 

I was a finalist in the New Historical Voice contest sponsored by Dorchester Publishing s and Romantic Times magazine. All three of the finalists were given a publishing contract.

 

1. What is your novel about

 

After spending years in an arranged marriage as the repressed wife of an older man, Amanda Wainwright has learned the hard way that money can’t buy happiness.  She arrives in Willow Creek, Montana determined to keep a deathbed promise to her husband and do something to help other people.  When Amanda meets a handsome, mysterious stranger who tempts her with sweet promises and long nights of passion, she discovers a fiery, passionate nature that could lead her to disaster.

 

For Samuel Calhoun, falling in love wouldn’t just be foolish, it could be deadly. He’s on  assignment as an undercover agent for the Secret Service. In order to maintain his secret identity he accepts an offer from a consortium of mine owners to seduce, humiliate and ruin the Widow Wainwright. Before long, Sam knows he’s met the woman who can banish the aching emptiness in his soul and he’s willing to risk everything – even his life – to be with her.

 

 

1. Where do you do most of your writing?

 

I write at home in our family room. I learned early on to write with noise around me, because when I started writing I owned a child care business and wrote during nap time. With only my grown son and my husband at home now, it’s pretty quiet. This year I’m going to finally get an office, and I’m looking forward to that.

 

1. Are you working on other things, if so what are they?

 

I’m writing a Steampunk fairy tale, “The Scarlet Cloak” that is my first young adult book. I love all the alternate history elements I can combine with magic and science. I’m actually something of a science geek, (I taught workshops for The Pacific Science Center) so this has been an adventure for me. I like focusing on the two main characters, and how they will grow from girls into women and not having the main focus be a relationship. Of course, there will be romance in this book!

 

1. What do you enjoy most about your writing?

 

I love reading something that I thought was really horrible at the time I wrote it, and realizing that it’s good, very – very good. That doesn’t happen much, but when it does, that feeling is fuel to continue working on the story.

Thanks Deborah for being here.  You have left us with a lot of great info

Walk in harmony,

Melinda

7 Comments »

1. 

   Thanks for your great answers, Deborah! I’m especially tucking away the gem of making a point to contact the library system for promotion when I eventually get published.

   You’re an inspiration to all of us still hoping to get there!

   Comment by Lori Lyn — January 10, 2010 @ 11:44 pm

2. 

   My last published novel, Aimee’s Locket, was my first time travel into the Old West. Living in Idaho, I grew up with stories of the Oregon Trail and I found them fascinating so writing a love story centered on the Oregon Trail and the way west was a good choice. I also love the research part, finding little bits and pieces that validate my story (hee hee). Good blog. Enjoyed it.

   Comment by P.L. Parker — January 10, 2010 @ 11:51 pm

3. 

   I can so relate to everything you said. Like it all came out of my head!
   I wish you the best of luck and I wish you the greatest success!!

   Comment by Mary Ricksen — January 11, 2010 @ 12:36 am

4. 

   I’m SO glad this book is finally available. I’ve been waiting. The cover for Promis Me is SO compelling and the story sounds great. I can hardly wait to read it.

   Comment by Laurie Ryan — January 11, 2010 @ 1:05 am

5. 

   Hi Deborah, it’s so good to read your interview and to wish you well on your brand-new release. I so agree with writing what you need to and love to. I tried other things during a long sophomore slump and even got good feedback…but the Old West is where I belong. Or at least the West itself. I think I will always write about cowboys in some way.

   I too think The Wild Rose Press is an amazing publisher, and I so appreciate your advice about prmo with libraries.

   And I love the steampunk idea!

   Hugs,
   ~Tanya
   http://www.tanyahanson.com
   http://www.petticoatsandpistols.com

   Comment by Tanya Hanson — January 11, 2010 @ 2:45 pm

6. 

   Thanks Ladies for stopping by, and I visited all your websites, that sure was fun! What a talented bunch of writers. I’ve entered all of you in the St. Valentine’s Day Contest!

   Comment by Deborah Schneider — January 13, 2010 @ 7:58 am

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