Lindi here! Exciting news-we have a guest blogger today!
In my November post I shared a photo with you and talked with you about beginnings.
Here’s Christy and I with the other F.A.I.T.H. Ladies
So many years ago, but here we are today, blogging together again.
Christy has been (and still is) a sweet friend who has an amazing gift with words. I remember reading Hope Between Us years ago. I loved the story and her writing. I”m so thrilled she’s a published author now with this story.
I was excited when she agreed to guest blog today. I’ve read the book and it’s fabulous. All the emotions, tears, laughter.
Christy LaShea.
Hello! I am thrilled to be here on Inspy Romance! Special thanks to Lindi for having me here. Today is actually my dear grandmother’s birthday. She passed away in 1998. Her name was Margaret and if she were still alive she would be 102 years old! I’d like to take a moment to wish my sweet granny a very happy, heavenly birthday. This article is dedicated to you.
My grandmother was instrumental in steering me toward creative writing. She was an avid reader. When I was about ten, my mother and Granny were watching Gone with the Wind (GWTW) on television. I loved how beautiful the characters appeared on screen. The period costume still interests me. I love the idea of men in suits and ladies in hoop skirts. Never mind that I have never had a seventeen inch waist! Eventually, my grandmother bought the book for me. I tried to read it. At the time, it was too much to absorb. I wasn’t interested in it enough to get through the whole thing. I knew how it ended and I didn’t like that sad conclusion. So, I did what any other normal future-writer-kid does, I attempted to re-write the book. I took to it, using Granny’s electric typewriter. I clicked away on that thing for months… No telling how much paper I wasted.
Advice new writers receive is “write what you know.” This can be true, to an extent. Most of my stories involve things I haven’t experienced… and some things I have experienced – sort of. With my debut novel, Hope Between Us, I had to do a little research to make sure medical references resembled current procedures. I leaned on my cousin Elizabeth, who is a nurse with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and quizzed her on current procedures. I watched YouTube videos of parents who shared their children’s experience with blood disorders and cancers. I researched blogs and journals.
In 2004, my husband and I were involved in a car accident. My husband had to stay in the hospital for three weeks. During that time, I stayed at his bedside. I’ve never been much of a nurse, even when I worked at the hospital, so I spent many hours reading in between helping care for my husband. I was already dabbling in writing at that time, but had not started pursuing it. During our time in the hospital, an idea formed for a story that involved a car accident. Hmm… Then I started asking myself questions of what if? Those ideas eventually became a story. I can tell you the story never made it to publication in that original form.
Speaking of cars, ideas usually come to me when I’m driving. I’m inspired by scenery and music. Unique individuals I’ve crossed paths with in life inspire me. I’ve been inspired by an odometer reading I saw while I was at my day job! I’m not sure what it is about me and cars, but there’s definitely a connection there!
Some may think that sounds a little crazy. I’d have to agree, but that’s the way a writer’s mind works. I like to think that it’s God, nudging me. He does that a lot. Sometimes I’ll feel an urge to do something, go somewhere, or call someone. If I don’t follow through, I’ll regret it. And then I’ll say, yes Lord, I should have listened to You.
My first book, Hope Between Us, released in November of 2019. I can assure you that I prayed a plenty through the making of this book. Its journey began 10+ years ago and what it looks like now is very different than the original nugget that I started with. Remember the car accident story I mentioned? This story is one of the flowers that grew from that branch.
To celebrate the release, I’d like to give away a copy, so be sure and leave me a comment and include that you’d like a copy of the book. If you’d like to keep up with me after today, please sign up for my newsletter at christylashea.com and say hello on one of my social media pages.
Lindi here: Make sure to welcome Christy in the comments for a chance to win her book. Her cover is gorgeous too. You’ll see the cover come to life in the beginning chapters of the book.
And piggy-backing off her post, have you read GWTW? If so have you read it more than once? (hand raised! Probably looking for a different ending like Christy mentioned!)
Aimee McClain returns home to Point Peace, Georgia, hoping for a fresh start. She wants to find a new treatment for her seven-year-old son’s Aplastic Anemia. After the devastating loss of her parents and her husband Aimee can’t lose someone else she loves, but as a single mom with limited resources, she’s running out of time and her son’s life is at stake.
Ever since being behind the wheel the night his best friend died, Seth Garrett works hard to help people. He is a coach and a teacher, he helps his parents, he feels like his debt of sorry will never be paid. At first, Aimee is just another person who Seth can help, but soon he realizes her trouble is a lot more than fixing an old car.
The Kevin Ridley Walk/Run, an event Seth started ten years earlier to honor his best friend, has garnered statewide attention and continues to raise money for underprivileged youth. When Aimee’s family asks Seth to help her organize a bone marrow drive and fundraiser for her son, he jumps at the chance to help the pretty widow and her adorable child.
Aimee, fighting to make ends meet in the face of Luke’s illness and single parenthood, doesn’t like this interception with Seth. He may not remember her now, but Aimee knows in time the truth of Seth’s accident will come out. How can they continue a relationship, build a new life together, with this between them?
ACFW Genesis Winner and multi-contest finalist, Christy has always enjoyed entertaining others. Christy wrote her first book, a mystery, while in seventh grade. Currently, Christy writes heartwarming southern romance, novels set in her home state of Georgia. Married to her high school sweetheart, Christy has a daughter, a son, and four fur-babies: Thomas: a nosey German Shepherd; Josie-Bobo: an adorable English Bulldog; and last but never least, Twitter and Ranger, two very loud Parakeets.
Connect with Christy online:
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USA Today featured author Lindi Peterson lives in north Georgia, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with her husband and a lively array of cats, dogs and birds. She loves sharing life with her family and friends. Her passion for reading led her to writing, and then God spoke words of love into her heart and changed her life forever.
Hi Lindi and Christy- Christy, I will head over to Amazon to check out your book:) . I have never read Gone with the Wind and to be truthful… I don’t ever remember watching the whole movie! One day I might give it another go!!
Blessings:)
Hi Lindi and welcome Christy. Christy thanks for sharing your writing journey. This retiree read Gone with the Wind in high school. I also have never had a 17 inch waist. Was intrigued by Scarlett’s ingenuity to survive under harsh conditions. I was interested in Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War. Saw the movie on TV years later. Best wishes. Enjoy your weekend.
Wemble—-def check it out. Margaret Mitchell lived here in Atlanta. We have a Margaret Mitchell house with her typewriter. She has an interesting story on how GWTW got published. :)
Thank you for checking out Christy’s book.
Renate—Ha! That 17 inch waist was crazy–I would never want to be in a corset. :) I saw the movie for the first time on a big screen in Ohio. They had an intermission and everything.
Hi Wemble! Thanks for joining us today. My husband just rented GWTW on Amazon Prime because my 14-year-old daughter mentioned she wanted to watch it. Watching it was a good way to spend a cold rainy afternoon. Thanks for checking out my book!
Hi Renate! Thank you for being here today. Actually, I think one of my thighs may measure more than 17inches! (oops! Too much Info there!)… I also believe I read that Vivien Leigh was very petite and that they may have been able to get her less than 20 inches in her waist. Still, that is tiny. Unless their measuring tape differed from what we have. It was surprising how I viewed the movie after watching it recently… Scarlett’s response to things in the movie really popped out for me, as well as the responses of others after those harsh conditions reached Atlanta and Tara. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Welcome, Christy! Your story sounds amazing, I will be checking it out soon! I loved Gone With The Wind, and the book was better than the movie to me! This month is the anniversary of my Gram’s passing too, 40 years she’s been gone, but I can still remember her vividly!
Hi Paula Marie! Thanks for joining us today. Time does not matter in losing loved ones. Sometimes memories seem like they happened yesterday. Thanks for your interest in Hope Between Us!
Christy, what a sweet tribute to your grandmother! I’m so excited about your book! I own it and look forward to reading it! I remember reading bits of it years ago and can’t wait to see the finished version!
Lindi, thanks for sharing that old photo of our blog group. What fun!
Welcome, Christy! Your book sounds wonderful. I’d love to read it! I am just now writing my first novel. Certainly no GWTW :) The story is probably too simplistic but I find it hard to put my characters through tough challenges, especially ones that I either have not faced or have not handled well. Being a first-timer, I haven’t really dug into the generation of new story ideas. I do get inspired, though, by reading stories where I learn something new about how to face my own challenges. Best wishes on the new release!
Hi, Lindi and Christy. Christy, the cover of the book is just gorgeous! I love pink and that dress really stands out! I would love to win and read this book. Thanks for the chance.
Welcome Christy, thank you for sharing! I’d love the chance to win your book. It sounds really good and that cover is beautiful.
Thank you Missy! And thanks for popping in! This is like a F.A.I.T.H. Girls reunion… we had and still have some great times both on the blog and outside the blog world!
Hi Lincoln! Thanks for stopping by. Congratulations on writing your first novel. Simply raising your hand and admitting you are an author takes a lot of courage. This is not an easy job, although we have a lot of fun in the process of getting to The End! You bring up a good topic, though… putting characters through challenges. It is hard to add conflict. If I knew my stories would be successful by the characters admitting their love for each other by chapter 3, I would do that over and over! I love for everyone to get along, both in the real world and on the page. But, I tend to complicate things… Sometimes I complicate them to the point I’m a confused wreck until I can straighten everything out. Simplistic can be good. Conflict/challenges for plot and character comes in many shapes and sizes. There is a reader out there for every story. Don’t lose hope about your story or vision.
Hi Kathy! Great to meet you here! Thanks for liking my cover. My publisher allowed me to share details about what I pictured for the cover. I sent details of scenes and even shared photos I had been pinning on Pinterest! In the end, I felt my publisher really brought the book to life. So grateful to Winged Publications!
Hi Megan! Thank you so much! Thanks for stopping by today.
Agreed!!! Hi Missy. Glad you stopped by. :)
Hi Lincoln—Yes to everything Christy says. :) And like she said, simplistic can be good. I remember relaying a plot idea I had to my mom on the phone at the beginning of my writing and she was so lost by the time I’d finished. :)
Megan–It is an awesome book, and I love the cover. And you’ll know why when you read the book .:)
Kathy—Thanks for visiting!! I love the cover as well. :) The publisher did a great job.
Paula Marie–I love my grandma memories. :) And yes, the book was better than the movie.
Hello Lindi and Hello Christy Thank you for sharing your Beautiful story Your book sounds like such a great book! I Have never read CWTW Thank you for a chance to win your amazing book! Love the cover.
Christy, beautiful cover! Love it!!!
My grandmother was instrumental in steering me toward God. Her prayers were answered. She went home at 93 after a long and hard journey but God was her Rock and He is faithful :)
Blessings!
Sarah–Thank you for visiting Inspy! I so loved Christy’s book. I hope everyone gets a chance to read it.
GWTW is a LONG book…….and different from the movie in a lot of ways.
Natalya–What a sweet story. :) She’s rejoicing now!!
Welcome, Christy! The book sounds good!! I would love to read it! I have never read GWTW, and didn’t make it through the movie, either! I tried to read the book once, but didn’t get far, and tried watching the movie once and fell asleep. Since I like historical romances, you’d think I’d be able to do one or the other!
Would love a copy of your book. I’ve read GWTW and seen the movie many times. I wanted to be a writer too and my parents and grandma encouraged me. My mom had copy of GWTW she got at the movie theater in 1939 when the movie came out. There were pictures of the actors in those costumes. Unfortunately a lot of my things got ruined in a fire. My mom passed away on July 4, 2018. She was 92. I miss her so much!
Happy birthday in heaven to your granny. I loved GWTW book and movie. Have a blessed weekend ladies.
Thank you both for the encouragement! I realized, reading back, that the kind of conflict that is hard for me is the face-to-face kind. My hero’s conflict is with a deep depression triggered by the death of his twin brother. Oddly enough, that I can do :)
Trudy–ha! This is why we’re all different. What some love others, not so much. :) I’m old enough to remember the Carol Burnett show when they did a GWTW spoof and Carol Burnett, playing Scarlett, wore the drapes to meet Capt Butler. :)
So fun!!
wow—what a story. I’m sure you do miss her. What great memories!!
Lucy–friend!! HI. :} We’re both GWTW fans.
Thanks for stopping by today Sarah!
Thank you for sharing Natalya! Mine also had a part in my relationship with God. I went to church many times with her and even now, I will hear certain hymns and it makes me think of her.
LOL, Trudy… Thanks for sharing! I am smiling… I guess GWTW wasn’t your type of historical and that’s okay. I’ve tried to read many books and it just didn’t click for me. Sometimes it’s hard to finish when that happens.
Thank you for sharing your awesome story Nancy! I’m sorry you lost things in a fire. Those can be devastating. Praise the Lord your mom was with you until she was 92. You will see her again.
Thank you Lucy! Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Thanks for sharing your inspiring story. My grandmother came from France in her 20s. I was always inspired by her hard work to survive in a new country. I would love to win a copy of your book.
Diana, Thanks for stopping by and sharing about your own grandmother. How exciting that must have been for her. I get nervous about going on vacation some times! I can’t imagine how it would be to uproot and move to a new country. She sounds like she was very brave. What a wonderful inspiration you have!