Tonight one of you became the winner of a copy of A Hare in the Elephant’s Trunk by Jan L. Coates. My dear dad drew a name out of the basket, I sent that person an email, and I will be announcing the winner’s name once I receive her mailing info.
You were entered into the contest if you commented on this post: http://lynnadavidson.wordpress.com/2011/10/28/interview-with-jan-l-coates-book-giveaway/
So, check your emails, are you the winner? 
Thanks for participating, and … Creative Musings!
This is a friendly reminder of the BOOK GIVEAWAY I’m offering TODAY – November 12 – courtesy of Red Deer Press.
Please refer to my October 22 post and read my review of A Hare in the Elephant’s Trunk – an amazing story written by Jan L. Coates.
Then, following my October 28 interview with Jan, you have the opportunity to win a copy of A Hare in the Elephant’s Trunk by leaving a comment.
Please be sure to let others know about this, too, and get the word out about this heralded novel. There’s not much time left until 9:00 pm (8:00 EST). Tweet about it, mention it on Facebook and in your own blog .. use your imagination to get the word out there! I know Jan will appreciate the publicity for Jacob and Wadeng Wings of Hope. Don’t know who Jacob is? Read my blog posts of October 22 and October 28. 
Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings! 
This short post is a friendly reminder of the book giveaway I’m offering on November 12, courtesy of Red Deer Press.
Please refer to my October 22 post and read my review of A Hare in the Elephant’s Trunk – an amazing story written by Jan L. Coates.
Then, following my October 28 interview with Jan, you have the opportunity to win a copy of A Hare in the Elephant’s Trunk by leaving a comment.
Please be sure to let others know about this, too, and get the word out about this heralded novel. Tweet about it, mention it on Facebook and in your own blog .. use your imagination to get the word out there! I know Jan will appreciate the publicity for Jacob. Don’t know who Jacob is? Read my blog October 22 and October 28 posts. 
Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings! 
I am excited to present this interview for you to meet Jan L. Coates who is an accomplished author here in Nova Scotia. I met Jan at one of her book signings, and discovered right away that she is a lovely person – calm, pleasant and humble. Please refer to my October 22’11 post for my review of her novel, A Hare in the Elephant’s Trunk.
In place of trying to give you a compilation of information, I’m going to let Jan tell you herself. She has shared such wonderful background details with great tips woven into this interview, that for any of you aspiring writers there is loads of encouragement. Now, get comfy. Enjoy the interview, it’s long, and - oh so good.
Jan, welcome to my blog, I’m delighted to be doing this interview with you. To begin, please tell us a little about yourself.
Hi, Lynn. Thanks for inviting me to be part of your blog! I live in Wolfville now, but I grew up in Truro, NS, as Janet Mingo. My mother owned a bookstore and my father owned (and my brother continues to own) a music store, so I guess you could say I was immersed in “the arts” from the get-go. I have a clear memory of getting my first library card at the age of five – you had to be able to print your own name, and I’ve loved books since then. Reading has always been one of life’s great pleasures for me. I have two young adult children, Liam and Shannon, who are both university students, and my husband, Don, is in his last year of teaching at Horton High School. And, of course, I have a new puppy – her name is Charlie.
Oh, puppies are so much fun! When did you first know you wanted to be a writer? Who or what inspired you?
I’ve always been interested in writing, and wrote the angst-type poetry common among adolescents while I was in high school. It wasn’t until I began reading picture books to my own kids in the 1990s that I began thinking about trying to write for children for publication. In particular, a picture book named Jeremiah Learns to Read (Jo Ellen Bogart, illustrations by Laura Fernandez & Rick Jacobson) which continues, in my mind, to be a perfect picture book, inspired me to write my first picture book manuscript, in 2000. It was called “Sam’s Magic Cape”, and it placed second in the Atlantic Writing Competition that year. I’ve since received over 50 rejection letters for that story, in various forms. I may dig it up someday again and have another go at it, because I still like it!
I hope you do try that story again, it may be waiting for its time. As a writer do you do much reading? Who/what were and are your favourite authors or books?
I read constantly, and I always tell students it’s the most important tool readily available to all writers. My favorite adult author is John Irving (Owen Meany, Cider House Rules) – I can only dream of being such a storyteller! I read about 10 young adult/middle grade books a month these days; I’m drawn to books by authors like Katherine Paterson (Bridge to Terabithia), and most recently I’m reading David Almond’s books (Kit’s Wilderness; Skellig). I also admire Cynthia Rylant’s work (Missing May).
Have you ever felt like giving up? When did you finally believe in yourself so you can say “I am a writer”?
Even after Rainbows in the Dark was published in 2005, I didn’t feel like a real “writer”. I don’t think it was until I attended my first writing retreat/workshop with Peter Carver and Kathy Stinson, and five other children’s writers, in 2007 that I actually started thinking of myself as a writer. I can honestly say that since 2000, I’ve never thought of abandoning writing, despite the frustration in trying to get published. It’s just what I do.
I’ve heard positive things about Rainbows in the Dark. Do you have a motto or Bible verse or quote that you try to live by and that helps to keep you going?
Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did. (Newt Gingrich)
Oh, I love that quote! (note to self: stick quote up everywhere I need it) What do you remember about your very first time to be published, how did that come about?
My first published article appeared on the back page of Canadian Living Magazine in 2000 or 2001. It was a personal essay about watching my daughter skate at 6:00 am. I think she’s finally forgiven me for writing such a sentimental article! She and I were co-winners of an essay contest in the Chronicle Herald that same year.
Wonderful! What have you had published thus far? Of those, what do/did you most enjoy writing?
Rainbows in the Dark (picture book, Second Story Press, 2005)
A Hare in the Elephant’s Trunk (YA novel, Red Deer Press, 2010)
The Quebec Book (ESL Comprehension Workbook, Editions de L’Envolee, 2011)
Stop Complaining, Chicken Little (illustrated chapter book for Korean ESL learners, JLS Storybook Project, 2011)
Pinocchio Learns a Lesson (JLS, 2011)
The Witch’s Fingers (JLS, 2011)
Turning Trash to Treasure (JLS, 2011)
Sarah Snow, Star of the Show (JLS, 2011)
Uncle Bobby and the Pirates (JLS, 2011)
If Dogs Could Talk (JLS, 2011)
The Cheesy Man Giant (JLS, 2010)
The Queen and Mr. Cunningham (JLS, 2010)
The Impossible Dive (JLS, 2010)
I guess I could say writing A Hare in the Elephant’s Trunk has been the most rewarding as I wrote it specifically to help Jacob Deng, my inspiration for the book, and his foundation, Wadeng Wings of Hope (www.wadeng.org), through which he’s raising funds to build a school in his village in South Sudan.
It was also the most challenging, by far, as I had to do so much research and try to imagine life as a young Sudanese boy struggling to survive, as a victim of war. The book covers seven years, and that, in itself, was an organizational challenge. I couldn’t have written the book without the mentorship of Gary Blackwood, who taught me everything I know about writing a novel in the five months we worked together.
Wow! You are a prolific writer! What process do you go through when writing and perfecting a book or article?
I’m afraid I’m not very organized in my writing process. Generally, I get an idea, a vague sort of notion, and think about it for several days or weeks before I start writing. I do some preliminary research into the topic, if necessary, and try to get to know my protagonist as a real person before I start writing his/her story. I don’t have an outline worked out, and I often don’t know exactly how the story will end. I find the story seems to evolve once I start working on it. I was talking to my mentor, Gary Blackwood, yesterday, and he suggested I try working up an outline before starting a long project – he always has the story completely worked out before he starts writing, and it certainly seems to work well for him!
What method do you use to keep track of your writing ideas?
I do have a writing journal, but it’s often not on hand when I need to write something down, so I just scribble an idea on any available scrap of paper, and hope I can find it when I need it! I often cut articles (even obituaries!) out of the newspaper when I read something that interests me, and keep them in a scrapbook. There are so many things happening that truly are “stranger than fiction”.
What inspired you to write A Hare in the Elephant’s Trunk?
I met Jacob Deng in 2007, when I was asked to write an article about him for the Acadia Alumni Bulletin. We spent two hours together over coffee, and it was a very emotional meeting. In particular, I was moved by his continued longing for his mother, even at the age of 26, despite not having seen her for almost 20 years. I decided as I was walking home that day that I was going to try to write his story, although I never dreamed it would evolve into a 70,000-word novel, which by the way, is fiction inspired by Jacob’s true story (“Faction” as I describe it to students).
I can see that first meeting was life changing, perhaps for you both. How long did it take you to write A Hare in the Elephant’s Trunk? What research did you do? And I’m sure most people are very curious .. so I have to ask .. how did you come up with that title?
I first met Jacob in April, 2007, and the book was published in September, 2010, so I guess that’s about 3 and 1/2 years. Of course, I didn’t work on it full-time, but consistently during that time. I read every book I could find about South Sudan and the Dinka people, as well as countless websites, watched YouTube videos and movies, and talked with Jacob, sometimes recording our conversations so I could listen to his voice as I worked on the book. I was mentored on the project by Gary L. Blackwood, a transplanted US author, now living in Tatamagouche, and he was insistent I come up with an intriguing title. In fact, I went through over a dozen titles before we settled on this one. Jacob is described as having hare-like tendencies throughout the book, and the war is described as having elephantine characteristics; a significant African folktale about the Hare and the Elephant is also included in the book. Young readers can be very astute at figuring out that the elephant is the war.
(FYI, readers: Tatamagouche is a small village in Nova Scotia.)
The title is an excellent choice, unique and attention grabbing. Did you find this a difficult book to write? If so, how did you stick with it and why?
I can honestly say I’ve never worked so hard on anything in my life, mainly because the subject was so foreign to me, and I had to do so much research. It was difficult emotionally in the early stages, as I had to think of my characters as real children suffering through unimaginable horrors. I’m a very determined person, and once I start something, I’m going to finish it. I knew from the beginning that this book could help Wadeng Wings of Hope, and I hope that is proving true. As well, it seemed the book was meant to be, from my first meeting with Jacob, to the heart attack I had in the fall of 2007 which gave me time to start writing, to the mentorship with Gary, to my connection with Peter Carver, who offered me a contract for the book.
Wow! I’m glad you recovered from the heart attack, that’s a hard way to get time for writing! How did you go about finding a publisher? an editor? and do you have an agent?
I had attended two retreat/workshops at Peter Carver’s summer place in Port Joli, and he knew about this story before I submitted it to him. In fact, the first time I met him, he critiqued several of my picture book manuscripts, then suggested I try writing something longer, to which I responded that I didn’t think I had enough words inside me! He called me in September, 2009, immediately upon finishing the manuscript for HARE, and said he loved it. Music to a writer’s ears! He then told the publisher (Richard Dionne of Red Deer Press) that he wanted to do the book, and I signed the contract. I have to add that I have hundreds and hundreds of rejection letters for earlier, mostly picture book, manuscripts. It really has to be the right story crossing the right editor’s desk on the right day! I do not have an agent, and there are very few agents in Canada who handle children’s material.
You have it set up that you share part of the proceeds of your book’s sales, a compassionate thing to do. Please tell us about that.
I’m donating 50% of my royalties to Wadeng Wings of Hope. The publisher has allowed Jacob to buy the books at the author’s rate, and then sell them himself, so Wadeng profits in that way as well.Red Deer Press also gives 40% of online sales from their site to Wadeng, all of which contributes to Jacob’s dream of building a school.
A Hare in the Elephant’s Trunk has been receiving much deserved attention. Tell us what honours this book has received thus far.
Quite honestly, I’ve been surprised at the attention this book has received. I did know, before writing it, that no one else had written a novel for young readers about the Lost Boys of Sudan, although well-known US author, Linda Sue Park, also published a Lost Boys novel in the fall of 2010. Honors for Hare include:
Finalist, Governor General’s Literary Awards, 2011
Finalist, Atlantic Book Awards, 2011
2011 United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY) Honor List for Outstanding International Books
SYRCA Snow Willow Nominee, 2011 (Sask. Young Readers Choice Awards)
2011 Independent Publishers Silver Medal, children’s multicultural fiction category
2011 Skipping Stones Multicultural Magazine Honor List
Starred Kirkus Review
2011 Woozles Battle of the Books Title, both elementary and high school
That is amazing and so exciting! Besides being a writer, you also have a job to go to, so how do you find time to write when you are busy with life?
I’m doing daily substitute teaching now, which is perfect as I can fit it in around my writing life. My kids are both in university, and my husband’s still teaching, so most days it’s just me and my new puppy, Charlie, in the house. When I’m not playing fetch, I’m at my laptop, oblivious to the dust bunnies piling up around me!
What other interests do you have for a change from writing?
I can be a little obsessive about writing, and I find I have to go to our cottage sometimes and leave my laptop behind. I go to the gym several times a week and play badminton, and I love shopping at Frenchy’s, looking at antiques, going for walks and playing with Charlie. I also love to go for drives and one of my hobbies is browsing real-estate, just for interest. I’m a bit of a Kijiji fanatic at the moment…
How do you consistently write? Do you have writing goals .. daily? weekly? monthly? long range?
When I’m in the middle of a revision, I find it easy to sit down and write for several hours in a row because I have a deadline to meet. When I’m writing, without a contract, it’s a little harder to get motivated, although when I get on a roll, hours can pass when I don’t even look at the clock. When I met with Gary yesterday, he told me he has a goal of a chapter a week, but he also always has at least two books under contract at any given time. I don’t have goals like that, but I am a compulsive editor, and almost every time I sit down at my laptop, I have to go back and re-read everything I’ve written to that point before I start the next chapter. My long-range goal is to find a publisher for the next book, I suppose!
Do you have another project in the works? Can you give our readers any hints about that?
I am working on a middle-grade novel, set in Nova Scotia in the 1960s, so it’s a little more familiar territory for me. I’m having fun mining my memories (and those of my sister, friends, husband). I’ve been working on it for about a year and a half now, and it’s still not ready to submit.
That sounds interesting. Finally, is being a writer/author all you had hoped or thought it would be? Do you have any advice for hopefuls?
I guess at this particular time, being an author is more than I thought it would be. I’m an introvert by nature, and I’ve learned that authors need to get out and meet their readers as often as possible, which I do through the Writers’ Federation’s wonderful Writers in the Schools (WITS) program. Over the past year, I’ve been on TV, been interviewed by various reporters, and had to read in front of close to 200 people at the launch of HARE, so I’m getting a little more comfortable with that visible part of being a writer.
I would never have dreamed that my first novel would be a finalist for the GG, that’s for sure! In a perfect world, I would win the GG, get to go to Rideau Hall with Jacob, and donate half the $25,000 prize to Wadeng.
My best advice would be to read everything you can in the genre in which you’re interested in writing – I’m constantly amazed by how much I can learn from studying how great authors put words and stories together. And, of course, write – every day, if you can. Also, read your work out loud – it’s surprising how easy it is to pick up weaknesses that way. If it doesn’t sound right, it probably isn’t.
I have dozens of manuscripts on file that have never found, and probably will never find, a home with a publisher, but I know that in writing each of them, I’ve learned something about the craft. Kathy Stinson (who has a few dozen books in print) told me recently that every book she’s written is harder than the one before it. It seems the more you know, the harder it is to apply all that knowledge to your writing. And, I think, you demand more of yourself as you gain experience. I continue to struggle with structure and conflict.
It’s rare for an author to get rich off their books, especially in Canada, but I have to say there’s nothing like receiving the first copy of a book with your name on it in the mail! Even better is having a reader tell you they’ve read and enjoyed your book, even been moved to tears, which is, after all, why we’re in this crazy game!
Thank you, Jan, for this delightful interview and great advice. I‘m happy for you and I certainly hope your amazing novel wins the Governor General’s Literary award. I wish you much continued success!
Thank you so much for your continued interest in my work, Lynn!
* *
I hope you enjoyed this interview with Jan Coates as much as I did. Be sure to visit Jacob’s website www.wadeng.org and I urge you to buy Jan’s book to help Jacob’s dream come true. But … one of you will WIN a copy here of A Hare in the Elephant’s Trunk! The publisher, Red Deer Press, is generously giving a copy to one person who leaves a comment on this post. Check them out at: http://www.reddeerpress.com/
** Please be sure to click the comments button ABOVE this post so that your entry gets included. In your comment tell us what you most enjoyed in the interview, enter only once, please. At 9:00 pm (8:00 EST) on November 12 my husband will draw one name from the basket, and I will contact that person via email. So be sure to check your emails November 12 or 13! You could be the one to receive a copy of A Hare in the Elephant’s Trunk!
Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!
We have confirmation of our winner of a copy of Kaydie by Penny A. Zeller! (My apologies for not doing this yesterday but my computer was in the shop and I just got it back this afternoon. )
Thank you to all who visited my blog and left comments at http://lynnadavidson.wordpress.com/2011/05/09/interview-with-penny-zeller-book-giveaway/
My dear husband drew a name out of the basket, and I am pleased to extend CONGRATULATIONS TO LAURA BEST! Laura, your book will be on its way to you from either Penny Zeller herself, or from Whitaker House publishers.
In her reply to my email, Laura wrote: “That’s great! I’m so thrilled. Can hardly wait to read it!”
Thanks to everyone who read the interview and those who participated in the contest. I will be doing more book reviews and author interviews as soon as I can get them together – have some in the works now, so please stayed tuned.
Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!
Posted in Miscellanea, Reviews & Interviews
Tagged book giveaway, Book review, Kaydie, Penny A. Zeller, Whitaker House, winner
Today one of you became the winner of a copy of Kaydie by Penny Zeller. My dear husband drew a name out of the basket, I sent that person an email, and I will be announcing the winner’s name once I receive her mailing info.
You were entered into the contest if you commented on this post: http://lynnadavidson.wordpress.com/2011/05/09/interview-with-penny-zeller-book-giveaway/
So, check your emails, are you the winner?
The plan was to do all this Tuesday evening, but I am late because my computer was in the shop for a “clean up” since last Thursday and I didn’t get it back until this afternoon. I’m still trying to sort out things and find my stuff on here. Trying to get caught up …
Thanks for participating, and … Creative Musings!
Posted in Miscellanea, Reviews & Interviews
Tagged book giveaway, Kaydie, Penny A. Zeller
You haven’t had to wait long for this promised interview. For my review of Kaydie you can read my May 7 post, but now I am delighted to introduce Penny Zeller (image below on the right), author of Kaydie.
Penny Zeller is the author of several books and numerous magazine articles in national and regional publications. She is also the author of the humor blog “A Day in the Life of a Wife, Mom, and Author” (www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com). She is an active volunteer in her community, serving as a women’s Bible study small-group leader and co-organizing a women’s prayer group. Penny devotes her time to assisting and nurturing women and children into a closer relationship with Christ. Her passion is to use the gift of the written word that God has given her to glorify Him and to benefit His kingdom. Kaydie follows McKenzie in Montana Skies, her first series with Whitaker House. When she’s not writing, Penny enjoys spending time with her family and camping, hiking, canoeing, and playing volleyball. She and her husband, Lon, reside in Wyoming with their two children. Penny loves to hear from her readers at her Website, www.pennyzeller.com.
Penny, welcome to my blog. As we begin this interview the first question on the agenda is: Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
Hello, Lynn! It’s great to be here. The happiest days of my life were the day I married my husband and the times we became parents to our two daughters.
I like your priorities. Now, your most recent book is Kaydie, which is Book 2 in your Montana Skies Series and was just released last month. Can you please give us a brief synopsis?
I am thrilled about the release of Kaydie. A short synopsis is as follows:
For the first time in years, Kaydie Worthington Kraemer can breathe easily. Although she is still haunted by memories of her abusive husband, Darius, she takes comfort in knowing the man is dead. Staying with her sister McKenzie and brother–in–law, Zach Sawyer, at their ranch, Kaydie is still wary of men, especially now that she has another life inside of her to protect. As she looks forward to her baby’s birth, she builds a protective wall around herself that won’t be easy to tear down.
Ranch hand Jonah Dickenson views his boss, Zach, like a brother. He does not, however, envy Zach’s new role as a husband. Deserted by his mother at a young age and forever despised and rejected by his own father, Jonah has few close relationships. But there’s something about Kaydie that draws him to her and makes him question his decision to remain a bachelor.
When Cedric Van Aulst, an old friend of Kaydie’s, comes to town, an unforeseen prospect of marriage arises. Cedric is someone Kaydie trusts. Will she settle for a safe union with him, or can she trust God to guard her heart and her life in the arms of Jonah?
Cindy Sproles produced a fantastic book trailer for Kaydie, which can be viewed athttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vwihs6rsqDk
Is there any person who has been a strong influence in your writing journey?
When I was in second grade, my teacher, Mrs. Vernon, encouraged me to never stop writing stories about Jesus (I began my writing career rewriting Bible stories and publishing them in homemade cardboard books).
In addition, my husband and children have been strong supporters of my writing. As far as influencers or mentors, I would have to say authors Sharlene MacLaren and Amanda Cabot have been wonderful mentors to me.
When you were a child did you have a favorite book or books?
I was an avid reader as a child. I loved Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden mysteries and read every copy of those books I could get my hands on!
This is funny and not something I have shared much, but beginning when I was 10 or 11 years old, I also loved the romance stories in the back of “Good Housekeeping Magazine.” In those days, the stories were wholesome and I would sneak outside with my mom’s copy into our playhouse to read. I loved the stories because they would have pictures of the characters drawn by an artist with a little tidbit under each picture, such as “Lydia thinks she’ll never love again – that is until James unexpectedly walks into her life…” I laugh when I think of those early days reading those stories. I suppose I have always been a romantic at heart!
Have you ever felt like giving up? When did you finally believe in yourself so you can say “I am a writer”, or did you never doubt your calling?
I definitely have felt like giving up. As a matter of fact, I can think of two times when I was determined to “throw in the towel.” Once was when I was a beginning writer and writing magazine articles. The second was a couple years in my career.
I have loved to write since I was in second grade. In the year 2000, I quit my full time job in a field of social services to stay home with my infant daughter. It was then that my passion for writing was rekindled. I began with writing magazine articles, and in 2003, had my first book published.
Why do you write the kind of books you do?
Writing is my ministry, and I pray daily that the path of writing that I have chosen in life will glorify the Lord. I am in constant prayer for wisdom, guidance, and that my books would be life-changing – that they would bring others to the Lord or closer to the Lord. I have chosen Psalm 19:14 as my life verse: “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
Do you have a favorite Genre to both read and write?
Historical romance is my favorite genre to write, followed by contemporary romance. In third place would be nonfiction, which I also enjoy writing as well. As for reading, I would have to say my favorite is historical romance. There’s something neat about being able to pick up this genre and escape into a simpler time.
What process do you go through when writing and perfecting a story?
I first write the story as it comes to me. Usually, I have thought about the story beforehand and have “watched” the scenes unfold in my mind, as though it was a movie. Secondly, I have an editor friend who goes through all of my work before I submit it to my publisher. After my editor at the publishing house goes through it, we talk on the phone about any changes that might need to be made. I then go back and make those changes. I am blessed to have a wonderful editor at Whitaker House!
There is a lot of work that goes into writing and perfecting a story. I remember before I was a writer, I used to wonder why it took so long for the sequel of a book to be released. Now I know! *grins*
What method do you use to keep track of your writing ideas?
Good question, Lynn! Let’s see…I have several file folders, each one labeled with the book idea. I then include any pages I have written in that folder.
What inspired you to write McKenzie and Kaydie: The first two books in your Montana Skies Series?
My family and I were in a car accident a couple years ago where I suffered neck and leg injuries. During that time period of seven months, I was also hit with back-to-back bacterial infections. Because of the injuries and illness, I was pretty much homebound and my active athletic lifestyle suddenly became limited. I look back now and praise God that He gave me McKenzie, as well as two other manuscripts (another historical and a contemporary) I wrote in that seven month period of pain and illness. God took what was a difficult time for me and turned it around to something positive that can be used for His Kingdom – taking the time to write the books that I had always wanted to write.
He has since healed me and I pray daily that the path I have chosen in life will glorify Him.
Wow! That reminds me of an incident in my own life, not nearly as dramatic, but through it He led me to write something very meaningful. What prompted you to write about the Montana Territory?
Our family has traveled extensively through Montana on road trips. We have visited two well-preserved ghost towns, which provided me with so much inspiration! I love the scenery and the history of Montana and couldn’t wait to base my characters in that setting.
How long did it take you to write Kaydie? Did you have to do any research?
It took me a couple of months to write Kaydie. I did do some research, mostly online, but because I had already researched and written McKenzie (Book One in the series), the research time wasn’t as extensive. For Kaydie, the setting was in the same town and in the same year as McKenzie, thereby making research easier.
Good planning. Did you find any part of the story difficult to pull together?
Actually, yes. Halfway through writing Kaydie, I came to a stopping point – a type of writer’s block if you will – where the words didn’t come nearly as easily as they usually do. I prayed about how to proceed and I felt God say to me “wait on Me.”
I’m glad I heeded God’s guidance because when I stepped out in obedience and didn’t try to force the words, but instead waited on Him by putting Kaydie aside for a time, something amazing happened. When I revisited Kaydie, the words began to flow again at a pace I could barely keep up with. More than ever, I now continue to fully submit to the Lord – and fully rely on Him – for the words and the direction of every aspect of my writing.
Did you, or do you ever, write a little of yourself into any of the characters? Do you have a favourite?
I take bits and pieces of different people and write them into my characters. I do think there would be bits and pieces of me in characters too For example, Kaydie is very sensitive, which would be one word I would use to describe myself.
As for a favorite character, I really can’t name just one. They are all different and special in their own way. My goal is to make the characters as realistic as possible and allow them to face struggles, as we all do.
How did you go about finding an editor? A publisher? An agent?
I’ll start with the easy question first…I’m different than a lot of authors because I don’t have an agent, per se. I consider my agent to be the Lord.
For my books, I have had four different publishers. It’s been different in how I found each of those publishers, but for my Montana Skies Series (Kaydie, McKenzie, and Hailee), I actually found the listing for Whitaker House, my publisher, in the Writer’s Market book. After much prayer, I submitted a query letter to the editor. She responded with a request for the manuscript. I was ecstatic! Writing Christian historical romance has always been my goal (even though I have enjoyed the nonfiction and the children’s fiction book I wrote as well). When she accepted the manuscript and contracted me for a series of three, I was so humbled and honored!
That’s interesting. I consider the Lord to be my Editor-in-Chief, hadn’t thought beyond that. How do you find time to write when you are busy with life?
Prioritizing is for sure my most difficult writing obstacle. To be honest, Lynn, I’m still working on figuring how to effectively do just that! *grins*
But really, I think prioritizing is one of the biggest challenges of being a writer, especially since I work from home and have a family. I have posted my writing hours on my office door, not so much for visitors, but for myself. It reminds me that if I don’t set time aside for my writing, it will be spent doing a host of other “necessary” things.
I have to be deliberate about putting aside time for my writing. I work while my children are in school and then quit for the day when they come home. My husband and my children are my main ministry, so they are the most important. I also do a lot of volunteer work. In order to keep my priorities in perspective, which is critical, I spend a lot of time in prayer seeking God’s guidance in using my time wisely.
How do you consistently write? Do you have writing goals – daily? Weekly? Monthly? Long range?
I am currently working on a second historical romance series set in the post-Civil War era. I have written the first book and am now working on the second one. I also have several other standalone books in the works.
I commit my time each morning to the Lord and write as He prompts me. Some days, I write 6,000 words. Other days, it’s 2,000 words. Some days, I don’t get the chance to work on my current book at all because I am spending time doing marketing projects. There is a lot of marketing that is done with the release of a book!
You mentioned having another book in the making, can you give us some insight on what it’s about?
I just finished the third book in the series, Hailee, which is scheduled for release later this year. Here’s a little teaser about what’s to come:
Times in Pine Haven have changed over the past few years. The town has doubled in size and Montana has become a state. Bethany Ethel is now the older sister to spunky seven-year-old twin brothers who find great delight in providing trouble for the new teacher, Miss Hailee Annigan. The Sawyers have added to their own family with daughter, Chloe; and Lucille Granger continues her antics as the town busybody.
Faith. Love. Hope. Forgiveness. This recent installment of the Montana Skies Historical Romance Series explores all four in the continuing saga of a peek into the lives of those who call Pine Haven their home.
I’m also working on a historical romance series that takes place in the Post-Civil War Era. I’ve finished book one in the series and have started writing book two.
Your ‘fluency’ amazes me, Penny! Is being a writer/author all you had hoped or thought it would be? Any advice for hopefuls?
I am blessed to be an author. It has been a dream of mine since I was seven. It is hard work and takes perseverence, but I feel it is worth it.
When I meet a reader or fan face to face, I love to chat with her about what she envisions herself doing for God’s Kingdom and how can I pray and encourage her in that pursuit. If she is pursuing her dream as a writer, I tell her that one of the most important things to remember in being a writer is that if God has called you to do it, He will guide you every step of the way.
I would advise her to give her writing to the Lord and to not give up! I speak from experience when I say that when He closes one door, He opens another (much better) one.
I offer more suggestions for sticking with writing on my blog at www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com.
Great advice! Where can readers purchase a copy of Kaydie?
Kaydie is available everywhere books are sold, including Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Kaydie-Montana-Skies-Penny-Zeller/dp/1603742174/ref=pd_sim_b_1
Where can fans find you on the internet?
I love to connect with my readers at my website www.pennyzeller.com,
my blog www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com,
on Twitter at http://twitter.com/pennyzeller, and
on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Penny-A-Zeller/96391560959?ref=ts
Do you have any parting comments?
I would like to thank you, Lynn, for having me here, and also thank my readers for their support and encouragement. I couldn’t do it without you.
Thank you, Penny, for this very inspiring interview. I wish you continued success in your journey with words to the Glory of God and for the blessing of your fans.
Readers, I hope you have enjoyed getting to know more about Penny Zeller. Penny and Whitaker House ( http://www.whitakerhouse.com ) are donating a copy of Kaydie to one of you.
If you would like a chance at winning a copy of Penny’s book simply post a comment here on my blog, telling what you most enjoyed in the interview. Enter only once, please. I will put the entries into a basket and at 9:00 pm (8:00 EST) on May 18 my husband will draw out the winner’s name. I will contact that person for his/her mailing address. If I do not get a reply by 8:00 pm EST on May 21 we will select another name – so check back!
Thanks for reading this interview, and … Creative Musings!
Posted in Reviews & Interviews
Tagged author, book giveaway, interview, Kaydie, Montana Skies series, Penny A. Zeller, Whitaker House
We have confirmation of our winner of a copy of Snow Day by Billy Coffey! (My apologies for not posting this earlier but I did not have access to my computer last week. )
Thank you to all who visited my blog and left comments at http://lynnadavidson.wordpress.com/2011/03/25/interview-with-billy-coffey-book-giveaway/
Shortly after 9:00 PM on April 8 my husband pulled a name out of the basket and I was pleased to send CONGRATULATIONS TO CATHY GRAHAM. Cathy, your book is on its way to you directly from the publisher, Faith Words.
In her reply to my email, Cathy wrote, “What fun to get your message about winning the book Snow Day. That’s great! Thanks so much! I’m all excited now!” 
Thanks again, everyone. It was fun, and I know Billy enjoyed your comments.
There will be another review and interview as soon as I can manage it.
Thanks for reading and participating, and … Creative Musings!
Posted in Miscellanea, Reviews & Interviews
Tagged Billy Coffey, book giveaway, Snow Day, Writing
