A "Sweet" Interview with Author Ramona K. Cecil + Giveaway!
Thank you all once again for participating in my blog party last week,it was a huge hit! As promised I have Ramona K. Cecil author of A Bride's Sweet Surprise in Sauers, Indiana, as well as other inspirational romances through Barbour Publishers here with us today. Please take a few minutes to check out my interview with her and to leave a comment to be entered to win a copy of Bride's Sweet Surpise....
Since you're new to my blog could you please tell us a bit about yourself? :-)
I live in southern Indiana with Jim, my husband of 39 years. We have two grown daughters and three grandchildren. I've been writing creatively most of my life. I consider myself first a poet. I've had about ninety verses of poetry published on Christian gift items by a leading company in that market. My first book published was published in 2006. A historical romance novel, it won the publisher's inspirational contest. My next three books, all historical romances were published in 2008 by Barbour Publishing's Heartsong line. In 2010, the three were repackaged in Barbour's Indiana historical collection titled Freedom's Crossroad. Two Christmas novellas followed in 2010 and 2011. A Bride's Sweet Surprise in Sauers, Indiana is my seventh published novel.
I know you've written shorter length stories for Barbour, how different was it to write a full-length book? Is the writing process the same, more difficult, easier?
In a way, it was a challenge since my earlier works were shorter. I plot, so the process was pretty much the same. I'd become used to writing chapter by chapter synopsis for my Heartsongs, so I did the same with this longer story. The pacing was a little different, but basically I used the same writing formula. I kept to a strict writing schedule with a goal of 1000 words per day. Usually, I exceeded my goal. It was funny, during the writing I was afraid I'd be short on words. As it turned out, I was a little over.
Give us three words that describe Diedrich Rothhaus the hero of Bride's Sweet Surprise…
Noble, Christian, handsome.
Who, if anyone inspired you to become a writer?
My parents. Both had written poetry in their youth. They even met at a group for aspiring poets in Indianapolis, then realized they lived in the same county. But as often happens, life got in the way and their writing took a backseat to raising a family. My mother did have some poetry and articles published in Christian magazines in her later years. I began composing poetry at the age of about three or four. My parents encouraged my writing. Of the three of us kids (I had a sister and brother) I was the only one who got the writing “bug.” From a very young age, my parents read to us from the poetry of James Whitcomb Riley. I still love those folksy verses by the “Hoosier poet” that so perfectly captured life in rural Indiana. I've always been a voracious reader. I became interested in the books by the Indiana author Gene Stratton Porter as a young girl. I believe the works of these authors helped instill in me at a young age a love for my native state, and most of my stories are set in Indiana in the places I know.
Any tips for unpublished writers out there looking to get their stories out?
You cannot do this alone. My first tip is to join a writers group that consists of both published and unpublished authors. I am certain I would not yet be published if God hadn't led me to American Christian Fiction Writers. Once you've found a good group of writers who will encourage you to grow and learn, join a critique group and take writing workshops. I rarely passed up a chance to take one of the many free online writing workshops offered by wonderful multi-published authors of ACFW. Attend writers' conferences. There you'll find unique opportunities to make connections with editors, agents, and other writers and really “learn the ropes” of the publishing business. I'd also encourage the aspiring writer to enter their work in contests. Despite where you place in a contest, you will get valuable feedback from the judges which you can use to make your writing stronger. Basically, immerse yourself in the writing community. My final suggestion would be to keep writing. In the words of Winston Churchill, “Never, never, never, never give up.”
Visit Ramona @ HER WEBSITE
Since you're new to my blog could you please tell us a bit about yourself? :-)
I live in southern Indiana with Jim, my husband of 39 years. We have two grown daughters and three grandchildren. I've been writing creatively most of my life. I consider myself first a poet. I've had about ninety verses of poetry published on Christian gift items by a leading company in that market. My first book published was published in 2006. A historical romance novel, it won the publisher's inspirational contest. My next three books, all historical romances were published in 2008 by Barbour Publishing's Heartsong line. In 2010, the three were repackaged in Barbour's Indiana historical collection titled Freedom's Crossroad. Two Christmas novellas followed in 2010 and 2011. A Bride's Sweet Surprise in Sauers, Indiana is my seventh published novel.
I know you've written shorter length stories for Barbour, how different was it to write a full-length book? Is the writing process the same, more difficult, easier?
In a way, it was a challenge since my earlier works were shorter. I plot, so the process was pretty much the same. I'd become used to writing chapter by chapter synopsis for my Heartsongs, so I did the same with this longer story. The pacing was a little different, but basically I used the same writing formula. I kept to a strict writing schedule with a goal of 1000 words per day. Usually, I exceeded my goal. It was funny, during the writing I was afraid I'd be short on words. As it turned out, I was a little over.
Give us three words that describe Diedrich Rothhaus the hero of Bride's Sweet Surprise…
Noble, Christian, handsome.
Who, if anyone inspired you to become a writer?
My parents. Both had written poetry in their youth. They even met at a group for aspiring poets in Indianapolis, then realized they lived in the same county. But as often happens, life got in the way and their writing took a backseat to raising a family. My mother did have some poetry and articles published in Christian magazines in her later years. I began composing poetry at the age of about three or four. My parents encouraged my writing. Of the three of us kids (I had a sister and brother) I was the only one who got the writing “bug.” From a very young age, my parents read to us from the poetry of James Whitcomb Riley. I still love those folksy verses by the “Hoosier poet” that so perfectly captured life in rural Indiana. I've always been a voracious reader. I became interested in the books by the Indiana author Gene Stratton Porter as a young girl. I believe the works of these authors helped instill in me at a young age a love for my native state, and most of my stories are set in Indiana in the places I know.
Any tips for unpublished writers out there looking to get their stories out?
You cannot do this alone. My first tip is to join a writers group that consists of both published and unpublished authors. I am certain I would not yet be published if God hadn't led me to American Christian Fiction Writers. Once you've found a good group of writers who will encourage you to grow and learn, join a critique group and take writing workshops. I rarely passed up a chance to take one of the many free online writing workshops offered by wonderful multi-published authors of ACFW. Attend writers' conferences. There you'll find unique opportunities to make connections with editors, agents, and other writers and really “learn the ropes” of the publishing business. I'd also encourage the aspiring writer to enter their work in contests. Despite where you place in a contest, you will get valuable feedback from the judges which you can use to make your writing stronger. Basically, immerse yourself in the writing community. My final suggestion would be to keep writing. In the words of Winston Churchill, “Never, never, never, never give up.”
Visit Ramona @ HER WEBSITE
To order this book from Amazon, click the title
About the book:
Travel to a German settlement in Sauers, Indiana, and meet Regina Seitz. Her sisters were allowed to marry for love, but Regina has been told by her father she must marry a man she has never met—just so Papa can have a German son-in-law to inherit the family homestead. Diedrich Rothhaus is as reluctant as she is, until her striking beauty and deep faith stir emotions he hadn’t expected. Against both their wills, love claims their hearts. Then a cruel family secret is revealed, and Diedrich must fight to save the most precious thing in his life—Regina’s love.
If you think that this books sounds amazing (who doesn't?!) and want to enter to win Ramona has generously offered to send one lucky commentor a copy!
~US Residents ages 18+
~Leave a comment with your email disguised something like this: steelergirl83(at)gmail(dot)com so I can contact you if you win.
~Contest open until Friday, March 23, 2012 @ 11:59pm EST
~Winner will be selected using random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to the email I send to claim their prize or another winner will be selected.
~Follow this blog via GFC on the sidebar or subscribe via email and get ONE bonus entry (please leave a note in your comment if you are a follower or subscriber).
Happy Reading!
I started reading A Bride's Sweet Surprise recently and am enjoying the story. In fact, I'm off to savor a few more chapters soon. =)
ReplyDeleteHi Keli! I'm glad you're enjoying the book! That is really gratifying to hear. When you finish it, I'd love you to leave a post on my web site letting me know how you liked it. :0)
DeleteOOo Keli thinks it's good and Keli has GREAT taste so I'm sure I'll love this too! Thanks for sharing that Keli!
DeleteXOXO~ Renee
What a cute cover, I love it! And yes, I agree with you Ramona, I love ACFW and couldn't keep writing without them!
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower!
Email in my profile. :)
Hi Casey, and thanks! They say you can't judge a book by it's cover, but we all do. Barbour does a fantastic job with their covers. Thanks for stopping in and keep writing!
DeleteI know don't you just love the cover?! Good luck Casey and thank you for stopping by. :-)
DeleteXOXO~ Renee
I was born in IN would love to win this book. email subscriber thanks
ReplyDeleteABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
Hi Apple Blossom! Once a Hoosier, always a Hoosier. LOL Good luck in the drawing! Either way, I hope you get a chance to check out the book and revisit your Indiana roots. :o)
DeleteHi Apple! Thank you for stopping by again! Good luck!!
DeleteXOXO~ Renee
Please enter me to win. It has been some time since I posted a review on a book by this author. Love her work.
ReplyDeletejrs362 at hotmail dot com
Ah, thank you sooo much! Good luck in the drawing. Either way, I hope you get to check out the book and I look forward to your review.
DeleteHi Squires! SO glad you could stop by! Best of luck to you!
DeleteXOXO~ Renee
I have this book on my Amazon & CBD wishlists...Would love to win a copy en1875 at hotmail dot com. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a good story. I am an old GFC - kayswederski
ReplyDeletekayswederski at yahoo dot com