Hey! And we’re back! Day three, our final day of “getting to know us!” Of course, we hope you stick around and get to know all of us better in the weeks and months to come! This is the point where I tell you about one of my other punctuation obsessions. Wednesday, I mentioned the exclamation marks. Yesterday, I pointed out parentheses. Today, I tell you how much I adore ellipses! There are, as you can see, none in this paragraph, yet, and Valerie did steal my thunder a bit yesterday, but whatevz. (That’s kind of a new obsession – shortening words and sticking z’s on them. But only with my friends – like all y’all are. I’d never put it in a manuscript. Unless I was writing a character who would. /ponder/ Right. Moving on… See. Ellipses :D.)
Image courtesy of stockimages / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
We’ve had a great first two days and are getting things sorted out! You can enter through midnight tomorrow night for the drawing! Rafflecopter below! I can’t wait to jump into the meat – the heart of our blog. Authors of contemporary inspirational romance talking to you, the readers! And there will be prizes! Oh, yes! There will be prizes!
Only two questions remain, but feel free to ask your own questions in the comments and hopefully some of our authors will pop in and answer them. For the record, marriage of convenience is my favorite trope – and if you can pull it off (well!) in a contemporary, you’ll be my new favorite person. I’ve been trying to come up with one for a while and haven’t yet. (This favorite person thing is a dubious and fleeting honor, but it is, um, quite the honor ;). Ask Amy Matayo who does have one of those in her debut novel.)
I’m still cold (this really shouldn’t shock you by now), but today I think I want to curl up with a movie – or maybe a movie and the book that goes with it. But the book is always better, right? We’ve got a fire going in the ginormous fireplace in the lodge’s great room if you want to read or your favorite movie of all time playing in the theater (because we’re cool like that and can play everyone’s favorite movie at once). We have those cool recliners in there, too. And unlimited popcorn. And yummy candy – that’s also calorie free. And all the soda you can drink. And a waiter to bring it to you. What could beat that?! And it relates to our first question…
What movie did you like better than the book?
Krista Phillips: Honestly? I’m not sure I’ve ever watched a movie AND read the book. How bad is that??
Kristen Ethridge: The Devil Wears Prada. I actually threw the book across the room because I felt that Andi’s actions at the end were not true to her goals and motivations throughout the story. The movie handled her leaving Runway and Miranda much better, I felt.
Elizabeth Maddrey: The Hunt for Red October – they kept to the action and fun and left out some of the exceedingly dry technical minutia
(Carol here again – On that note, have you seen the new Jack Ryan movie yet?! So good! Not based on a book but a reimagining and alternate beginning for the characters. Plus. Chris Pine. And Kevin Costner.)
Annalisa Daughety: This hasn’t happened yet. I am that person who always likes the book better–and tells everyone they should read the book in addition to watching the movie.
Carla Laureano: Last of the Mohicans, hands down. Even taking into account that the book was written in 1826, I find it more than a little dry. Of course, only a handful of elements from the book made it into the movie version, but how can you go wrong with romance and Daniel Day Lewis?
And, /sniffle/, our last question. We have such a huge variety of authors here – everyone from multi-published for more years than we’d care to mention to me – and Pepper Basham and Laurie Tomlinson who are all “still waiting for our prints to come” (that’s a Pepper quote). Though we all write in the same genre, and a relatively specific one at that, we have very different types of books – and very different stories about how we got published. (Or will get published.) So the last question we asked of our Inspy gals:
How long did it take you to get published? How many completed manuscripts was that?
Lisa Jordan: I had been writing for over a decade before receiving “the call” on January 7, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. I had written 3 novels and started several rough drafts. My debut novel, Lakeside Reunion, was the first novel I had ever written, but it went through many drafts before being publishable.
Deb Kastner: I wrote one women’s fiction novel in the mid ‘90s when there was no market for such a beast. Then I found a local chapter of Romance Writers of America, joined a weekly critique group and played around with a couple of different romance genres. After awhile I settled on contemporary inspirational and completed my first book, targeting Multnomah Palisades as I wrote. Karen Ball at Multnomah bought that novel, Beloved, on May 25, 1997. The line closed soon afterward and I moved to Harlequin Love Inspired, where I have been writing since.
Carla Laureano: It took me nearly 15 years of writing, submitting, getting rejected, editing, rewriting, and resubmitting to land an agent and then eventually a book contract. The first book I sold was my third completed manuscript, but my first book to be released– Five Days in Skye—was actually my fifth. I recently went back to my first manuscripts, hoping there might be something that could be salvaged or rewritten, and let’s just say I’m so glad that they never made it into print. There is definitely something to be said for the improvements you can make through continuous hard work.
Virginia Carmichael: I started writing in 2009 and sold my first book in 2012. It was my second manuscript. The first one took me two and a half years to write because I didn’t know how to set a writing goal. Yay for #1k1hr groups!
Merrilee Whren: Too long–twenty years and eight manuscripts.
Staci Stallings: When I first started in 1996, there was no such thing as contemporary Christian romance. So rather than thinking I would be published, I just wrote what God gave me to write. I wrote the stories for me, honestly never thinking they would go much beyond that. Then I let a few friends read my first one (that I printed 5 copies at Kinkos and spent $150 on). In no time flat those five copies were GONE, and everyone was fascinated that I had written about God in a romance! Over the next 5 years, I wrote five more books, and the sixth one was the first I put out. It’s been a LONG journey from there to here, but every step taught me something about myself, something about writing, and most of all, something about God. So now I count them all joy!
Valerie Comer: 9 years and 10 completed manuscripts before that first contract!
Katherine Reay: I started peddling Dear Mr. Knightley in January of 2012 and sold it in September of that year. It was my first manuscript.
Beth Vogt: Susan May Warren, one of my writing mentors, told me I was an anomaly because my the first novel I ever wrote got published. (That was Wish You Were Here in 2012 with Howard Books.) I like to say I’m stubborn. I worked on that novel for 3 years and tore it apart a number of times. At one point, it was romantic suspense, which was a rookie’s attempt to ramp up tension. (Huge mistake too!)
How about that for variety?! Me? I’m at 4.5 years seriously pursing writing and, as of last week, 11 completed manuscripts. But, good news is coming! I just… don’t know what it is yet. Or when. ;)
Speaking of books – check out what I found in my local Wal-mart! (Well, I’m a smallish town girl – it was the next town over. Close enough!)
I so look forward to finding more books by my Inspy Romance buddies. In the comments yesterday, I mentioned that some of these gals are completely new to me! As in, I’d never met or heard of them before we started this sucker! Some were already dear friends and some acquaintances, but I’ve learned so much about all of them through putting these blogs together! And I’m itching to get my hands on some of those books!
More books to read? I say it’s always a good thing! (My husband and bookcase shelves may not agree…)
Be sure to join us tomorrow for trivia, and continued opportunities to enter via comments/Rafflecopter! Sunday, we’ll announce the winner and start talking about prizes and what’s coming up next week and all next month as we kick off our birth month bash! YAY!
A bit of a teaser?
Two words: Amazon card (and that isn’t the best prize!)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
When she's not writing about her imaginary friends, Carol Moncado is hanging out with her husband and four kids in the big yard of their southwest Missouri home, teaching American Government at a community college, reading, or watching NCIS. She's a member of ACFW and RWA, President and founding member for the MozArks ACFW group, and a category coordinator for ACFW's First Impressions.
Another great job, Carol! I’m going to miss all these little tidbits as well (and some of our lovely ladies are new to me, too – I’m looking forward to doing some book shopping myself!)
Inspiring blog post. I can’t imagine waiting that long for something. So a huge thank you to the authors who never give up so I can have the most amazing stories! Thank you!
I don’t think I’ve ever watched a movie that I liked BETTER than the book. I felt like they did a great job of the movie The Help, but I still liked the book better. I enjoy romantic movies just as much as romantic books. But there is such a different feel between the two. So for me, books will always be better.
Thank you Carol for introducing new authors to me in such a fun way. Several of these ladies are new to me as well so I look forward to adding their books to my reading list.
I agree, books are always better than the movies, except Twilight, the movie was horrible but the book aas worse ;)
Way to go to all of you for sticking with writing and not giving up!
While it’s true that many of us have written many stories over many years before publication, a big part of it is that the stories burn holes in our hearts until they can be told. It’s not always simply dedication, but trying to clear our minds!
Had to laugh at your comment about Twilight, Samantha. For me, I absolutely loved The Princess Bride movie (and my 30ish kids can quote lengths of it still). It’s hard to imagine the book could be better, but I did love the book as well. I think I feel movie night coming on…
I am so thankful for the tenacity of you gals! I’ve been an avid read my whole life. When my husband was pastoring a little country church in the 1980’s-1990’s, I worked hard at adding inspirational fiction to our library. I was so excited when a line came out –I think it was by Zondervan called Serenade Saga. I think there were about 50 books in all. I bought the whole set for the church library for $2 each.
@Valerie – I am thankful that so many of you chose to clear your minds in such a delightful and enjoyable way. =) Keep up the good work!
Squee! Seeing my book on the shelves just never gets old. And I haven’t seen this one out yet…mainly because we’re buried under nearly a foot of snow. Thanks for the glimpse!
It’s exciting to learn about all these fine authors. I feel privileged to be among them. Welcome everyone!
I was delighted to find the Christian Romance genre! All the love, none of the “bodice ripping” My first taste was the “A Bride Most Begrudging” by Deeanne Gist – I think I read it in one day, and I have not stopped reading them since. I was amazed at how much I could learn about my own relationships (both with men, and with God) from reading about those of others. Keep up the good work ladies.
This really is very fun. I love learning more about everyone’s stories.
I sounded a little brusque with the description of Dear Mr. Knightley’s journey. Didn’t mean to. It was my first manuscript… true… but I was injured and healing for many months in 2009 and that is actually when the story started. So there you go… then I started peddling it and… you know the rest.
And, Danielle, I love your comment. It is so fun to have all the romance, the emotion of it, without getting embarrassed by the “bodice ripping.” At least I get embarrassed — and I like the emotional journey better any way. That’s what has the hope of lasting…
And think… We are only at the beginning of all this blog fun. Thanks, Carol, for starting us out so beautifully!
So true, Val. I often feel like my brain is gonna explode if I don’t get those words down on the computer!
Another fantastic post, Carol! I’ve so enjoyed getting to know all you awesome authors and wonderful ladies I have the privilege of working with on InspyRomance. I can’t wait to learn more about all of you and your books in the months (and hopefully years!) ahead.
As soon as I read your words “marriage of convenience,” Carol, the thought of green cards popped into my head. I think more people than we realize marry for citizenship purposes. Just my thoughts…
I’m with Carla, Last of the Mohicans was SO much better than the book!! I also thought The Count of Monte Cristo was better in film too.
The Count of Monte Cristo was a better movie than the book! Trust me. Watch it! :)
Ha, I had the page open and didn’t push reply for awhile, then saw Pepper’s answer after I did. Proves it. Watch the movie!
Awesome collection of authors here!!! Katherine Reay, I just started reading Dear Mr. Knightley and I love it so much!!! Right now I’m researching 14th century England, but I can’t wait to see what happens! :-)
And … GREAT JOB, Carol!!!
I notice every time I come back the raptercopter (sp) says I only have two entries. I put I commented on the blog and its there til next time I visit. is it registering or is it a fault?
I am not sure about books and film. I think for me I really loved Seven Little Australians and I loved how they did the mini series. I also think the movie Heidi was well done.
Cathy –
Green cards have occurred to me too ;). I don’t know enough about it at this point to attempt it though!
Thanks so much to all of you for coming by today!
Jenny – this is the first time I’ve used Rafflecopter so I don’t know a TON about it – but it’s showing you have 6 entries. I don’t know if it’s one of those up to the minute things or if it takes a while to update, you know?
I’m with you guys on the lack of bodice ripping and not being afraid to give a book (without having read it first) to my mother-in-law… :D
Thanks Carol. Im not sure. Im new to it also but its an easier way to run a contest.
Wasn’t The Count of Monte Cristo wonderful? Loved that!
Carol, I’ve really enjoyed our Q&A posts :) I agree with Samantha, the Twilight movie was much better than the book, although neither rate on my favourites list!
Jenny, I hope all your Rafflecopter entries have registered. Good luck in the drawing!
Looking forward to reading Dear Mr. Knightley – I have heard so many positive reviews about it!
Yes, I saw Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit. Awesome movie!
Beth, having read Wish You Were Here, you made the right choice taking the suspense angle out of it. It’s practically perfect in every way… to borrow Mary Poppins’ measurement. :)
What movie did you like better than the book?
Quite honestly, I usually don’t read books and see the movies. In most cases, I much preferred the books, as the movies took licenses I didn’t think the author meant.
How long did it take you to get published? How many completed manuscripts was that?
Not officially published, yet. I’m so OCD…My current project will end up as at least 4 books, but maybe as many as 6. I’m needing to write them in reverse order. Too tough to explain why. UGH!