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Once in a while, an author offers readers an in depth view of her work. Author Staci Stallings does just that as she takes us to Nashville for an interview with the main characters in her book, Cowboy.
Wait til you see the special offer Staci has after the interview!
News From Nashville & Beyond
Character Interview with Ashton Raines and Kalin Lane
(Transcribed from a television interview with “The Music Plays… World Tour” featuring opening solo artist Kalin Lane and headliner Ashton Raines, both accompanied by their wives, Beth Raines and Danae Lane.)
NFNB: First of all, welcome to you all. Thanks for sitting down with us.
Ashton: Thank you for having us.
NFNB: Let’s start with what it’s like to be on a world tour. What cities? What are the crowds like?
Kalin: Well, for me it’s been an absolute dream come true. I mean, getting invited to be here with Ashton who, let’s face it is the King of Country music right now. Standing on that stage every night, hearing the fans singing my songs, cheering, in all these different countries…. it’s truly amazing.
Ashton: I have to agree. I stand down there as Kalin’s playing, and there’s just this incredible energy that sweeps through the whole place, no matter if we’re playing for 20,000 or 60,000. To hear those fans, to get to connect with them. It’s what I came here to do, it’s why I started singing in the first place, and to get to do it night after night has been such a blessing.
NFNB: How’s it been working together? The two of you play country music, but it’s really not quite the same kind of country.
Ashton (laughing): Yeah. I could never pull off the hair! (Reaches over and ruffles Kalin’s famously stringy blond mane then shrugs.) But it works, you know? I play the more traditional stuff, Kalin rocks the house, it works.
Kalin: I have to agree. I think it has really come together because we’re not two performers who happen to get on the same stage every night. We really understand each other and respect each other for what life has thrown at us and the hard knocks it’s taken us to be able to play from the heart so to speak. So it doesn’t matter that he plays the acoustic and piano, and I’ve got more electric and keyboards to my style of music because I think deep down we both really see that we’re doing what we love to do, making the kind of music we love to make. When you do that, somehow the synthesis of what comes out of it just works even if on the outside it doesn’t look like it should.
NFNB: You mentioned what life has thrown at you. Would you call the road to get here bumpy or smooth?
(Ashton looks to Beth who smiles back, and Kalin grins at Danae who brushes her brown locks from her forehead and shakes her head with a soft laugh.)
All: Bumpy.
(Laughter)
Ashton: Definitely bumpy. (Beth nods, her eyes filled with respect and love as she looks at her husband, and the two of them share a moment. When he turns back to the camera, Ashton seems to drift into another world.) After my first wife died of cancer, there was a long stretch in there that honestly I didn’t even want to be here. I mean here as in making music here, but even here as in on the planet. Then one night I wound up in this little diner in the middle of nowhere (He looks over to Beth.) And an angel from Heaven pulled me back and gave me a reason to keep on living. (As if no one else is watching, he leans over and kisses.) Thank you, babe (he whispers so the camera barely catches the words. Then he turns back.) To be real honest, I’m not even sure I’d be here without her.
NFNB: So Beth, what was it like? I mean, he is Ashton Raines. It’s like every girl’s dream to have the king of music to walk in and sweep you off your feet. That must have been surreal.
(They glance at each other.)
Beth: Well, to be honest with you, I didn’t even know who he was that night.
NFNB: You didn’t?
Beth: No, really I didn’t. It’s a long story, but let’s just say I fell in love with a man, not a music star.
NFNB: Okay. Well… (Turning to the other couple.) Kalin, you also said bumpy. Now we know a little about your career’s early fits and starts what with having to go back to your home country the first time around. What was that like?
Kalin: Rough. Really, really rough. To be honest with you, that first time I let the fame and the money and the adulation of all the people around me go straight to my head. I fell in with a lifestyle I thought was great at first, but it caught up with me real fast. When I lost everything–the dream, my meal ticket in Nashville and almost my life–I thought it was all over, you know? Back then, there was no way I could have seen the amazing grace God was waiting to give me and the joy and the mercy and the grace He gives me every day now. Getting to be here now, like this, with the Raines family, and my beautiful wife. (He turns to Danae and smiles. She smiles back.) I’m telling you it’s more than a dream come true. In fact, it’s the reason I sing “Lucky” every night out there on stage.
That line about, “And it’s not fate, it’s not luck, it’s a gift from God above, that I found you, you found me, and we found love”? Those aren’t just nice, pretty words. I really believe that, you know? Because if it was not for God and the love of this wonderful, strong woman sitting next to me, I can almost guarantee I would not be sitting here today. It’s more grace and love than I’ve ever deserved or imagined, I’ll tell you that.
NFNB: Well, it’s almost time to wrap this up. Closing thoughts, anyone?
Ashton: The tour’s been amazing. The fans, the cities, the experiences. All out amazing.
Kalin: Come out and see the show!
NFNB: That’s it for now from News from Nashville & Beyond. Now back to you in the studio.
Copyright Staci Stallings, 2012
Staci Stallings, the author of this article, is a #1 Best Selling Contemporary
Christian Romance author and the founder of Grace & Faith Author
Connection. Staci has a special surprise for you today and tomorrow only...
FREE ON KINDLE TWO
DAYS ONLY!
December 4 & 5
Cowboy
"One of the most gripping contemporary
romances I've read in the past three years."
--Michelle Sutton, Amazon Top 1,000
Reviewer
Timothy Ashton Raines is at the top of
his game and the end of his rope until one night, he walks away from
everything...
Available today as a free download from
Amazon!
I've been tweeting about this one for several days. Now it's time to give my readers a closer look at K Dawn Byrd and her new release, Amazing Love.
Welcome, Dawn! Tell us about your latest release and what you think readers will enjoy about it.
My latest release, Amazing Love, is the modern story of Hosea and Gomer. It was a tough story to write because my heroine suffers severe consequences for her sins, but it was necessary to portray how low we can go and how much God still loves us through it all. I hope readers will take away the fact that no matter what we do, God loves us with an unconditional love and is ready to accept us back into His loving arms.
What would you like readers to take away from your book?
Amazing Love is the modern-day version of the Hosea and Gomer story from the Bible. I'd like for readers to take away that God loves us with an unconditional love. My heroine, Dee, does some pretty terrible things and believes that God could never forgive her, but He does.
What did you learn while writing this book?
I learned that even though the Bible gives us stories about individuals who lived in Bible times, it's vague at times about specifics. This give a fiction writer a lot of leeway to let their imaginations run wild.
What is the toughest test you've faced as a writer?
Finding time to write. I work a full-time job and also a lot of weekends, which means that I have to be really devoted to my writing time. I set aside at least an hour every night, six days a week if possible. The fact that I start with a well-developed plot makes things move faster.
What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of, writing-related or not?
I'm proud of earning a master degree in professional counseling from Liberty University. I believe this degree helps me to understand my characters better and what makes them tick.
What kind of planning do you do before writing a novel?
I fill out character sketches in order to get to know my characters better. I ask myself what their goals are, what motivates them, and what's keeping them from reaching their goals. Sometimes, I start by writing a synopsis. This gives me information about the plot as it develops. I usually have a pretty strong plot before I actually begin the story.
Why do you write?
I write because I can't stop. It's more than a hobby, it's a passion. It's the most fun I've ever had in my life!
Are you a plotter or a pantzer?
A big time plotter. Because I write all of my books in 30-day marathons, I have to start with a thorough plot. That doesn't mean that sometimes the story doesn't take a life of it's own, surprising me when it takes me down a road I hadn't planned to travel.
What would you be doing if you weren’t writing?
Probably still riding a Harley. I sold my bike in order to have more time to write. On weekends, I'd rather curl up with my laptop and the story in my head.
What do you do for fun when not writing?
When not writing, I love to read. Romantic suspense or young adult novels are favorites.
What is your personal definition of success?
My personal definition of success has nothing to do with money. To me, a successful person is one who is happy and enjoys life.
How can readers get in contact with you?
Email: kdawnbyrd@yahoo.com
Blog: www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com
Twitter: kdawnbyrd
Pinterist: kdawnbyrd
Facebook: kdawnbyrd
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLtz_kGEFFk&feature=plcp
Now a little more specific information about Amazing Love.
 Gabe Knight, a pastor in a small coastal town, finds his life is turned upside down when Dee Dillow arrives and hires him to remodel an estate she's inherited from her aunt. Dee dashes his plans for wedded bless when on a drunken binge, she divulges that she's the highest paid call girl in Nevada and part-owner of the ritziest brothel in the state.
Gabe falls in love with her, but can't believe he's hearing the voice of God when a still, small voice tells him to marry her. After much questioning, they marry and he is deliriously happy. Until, Dee betrays him.
Gabe soon discovers just how hard it is to have the unconditional love God calls him to have for his wife, the kind of love God has for his children. When faced with losing her, Gabe realizes what true love is, how much it hurts, and just how much God loves and is willing to sacrifice for his children.
Interview with the heroine:
Dee, tell me the most interesting thing about you.
I'm not sure how interesting it is, but it would be pretty shocking to most people. I grew up in a brothel outside of Vegas. My mother owned it and since I was home-schooled, I spent most of my life there. I don't know exactly how it happened, but I became the highest paid call-girl in all of the state.
What do you do for fun?
Shop. I love fancy cars, fine jewelry, and designer bags and shoes. I also like to invest money. It's exciting to watch it grow. I left the brothel when I was teenager and ended up trying to survive on the streets when my mother turned her back on me. I never want to live like that again and that's why I save money.
What do you put off doing because you dread it?
I put off going to church with my husband, Gabe. I'm just not into all that religion stuff. I know he expects me to go, but I'm pretty good at coming up with excuses why I can't.
What are you afraid of most in life?
I'm afraid of having to live on the streets again as a prostitute like I did when I was a teen. I'm also afraid of going hungry.
What do you want out of life?
All I want is to have a family. I never even thought about a husband and kids until I met Gabe and now that's all I think about.
What is the most important thing to you?
My money and Gabe.
Do you read? If so, what is your favorite type of book to read?
Remodeling magazines. Gabe is remodeling a huge estate I inherited from my aunt.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I'd want to make Gabe happy. He expects me to accept his God, but I just can't. It's hard to believe in a God you can't see.
Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?
No pets. I really don't have time for them.
If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?
I would go back to the day I was born and find a way to take me away from my mother. She allowed terrible things to happen to me.
Interview with the hero:
Gabe, tell me the most interesting thing about you.
I'm a preacher and God told me to marry a prostitute. Am I crazy? Am I hearing voices? I know God told Hosea to in the Bible, but this is 2012!
What do you do for fun?
I love working with my hands, especially carpentry work. I also own some old vehicles and like to work on them. Sometimes they're a challenge to keep running and my wife, Dee (the prostitute) hates them, but I can't afford all those fancy sports cars she drives on a preacher's salary.
What do you put off doing because you dread it?
I put off dealing with drama. An ex-girlfriend has stirred up all kinds of trouble in my relationship with Dee. Maybe I shouldn't look the other way so much. Maybe I should tell her like it is. I just hate hurting people and I have the church to think about. My greatest fear is that something will split it.
What are you afraid of most in life?
Dying alone. I want a wife and kids.
What do you want out of life?
I want it all. A wife. Kids. A little white house with a picket fence. Of course, I'll settle for Dee's mansion on the hill overlooking the ocean since that's where she wants to live. She inherited it from her aunt and I've been working on it for her.
What is the most important thing to you?
My faith. I've worked long and hard to get as close to God as I am and I don't want anything coming between us.
Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book?
I read remodeling magazines.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
If I could change one thing about myself, it would be my past. I didn't always live for God. I did my share of drinking and had my share of women. If I could go back in time, I'd live my entire life for God.
Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?
No, I don't own any pets. I'm so busy with my job as a preacher and my side jobs remodeling that there's no time for them.
If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?
I'd love to meet Hosea face to face. Dee has put me through torture. She's ripped my heart out. I'd like to ask Hosea how he dealt with that kind of pain when Gomer was unfaithful to him.
K. Dawn Byrd is an author of inspirational novels in several genres, including, historical, suspense, romance, and young adult. Some of her favorite things are chocolate, cars, and her pets. Her hobbies include reading, writing, and riding down country roads in the passenger seat of her husband's Corvette Stingray. When asked why she writes, her response is, "For the simple joy of placing words on the page!"
 I am excited to welcome my good friend Kathy Harris. Although we have not met in person, Kathy and I are members of a close-knit group who share hopes, dreams, successes, disappointments, and confidences in cyberspace.
Join us as Kathy talks about something near and dear to all of us at one time or another in our lives: going home.
Many times over the past few years, I've dreamed of being back in my grandparents’ house. The small white bungalow, tucked behind a double row of trees, was surrounded by fields of corn. The stalks were taller in maturity than I was at the time (or, for that matter, than I am now).
The vegetable garden, henhouse, pond, and barn are indelibly engraved into my memory. It has been almost twenty years since I last visited that old homeplace, but I can still taste the first ripe tomatoes of the season, hear the cackling of the chickens, and smell the musty scent of the hayloft.
I can mentally slide my hand across the faded gray, rough-hewn barnwood—and delight in the memory of a dairy cow licking my fingers with her raspy, pink tongue. In a flash, I’m sitting on my grandpa’s knee, trying to learn how to milk one of those cows, and then giggling when a thin white stream of milk misses the pail and lands on his bare foot.
As an adult, well past childhood, I would drive for hundreds of miles in rain or snow to return to that family home on special occasions. The place—and the people who inhabited it—brought me comfort then. Thinking about it—and them—still does.
There’s something special about returning to our roots, remembering where we came from. Like human carrier pigeons, we often try to go home. If not physically, then within the confines of our minds.
Perhaps by way of a built-in spiritual compass, we also understand that our eternal home is waiting. We can’t yet see it. But we know it’s there.
In the meantime, we each have a journey to complete here . . . miles, rain, snow, and winding roads set out before us on our way “home.”
QUESTION: What are some of your favorite childhood memories?
(Answer this question in comments between now and October 31st to be entered in a drawing to win a copy of Kathy's book, The Road to Mercy. Be sure to leave your email address!)
The
Road to Mercy
by
Kathy Harris
Tragedy, love,
and secrets meet on a journey of faith.
Have you ever dared to believe you could find God's
forgiveness, even when you can't forgive yourself?
 Dr. Ben Abrams, rescued as an
infant from a fiery crash that killed his family, turned his adversities into
success but lost his heritage of faith. Fifty years later, Josh and Bethany
Harrison face a difficult decision that also tests their faith. A rupture in
Beth's carotid artery leaves her on the brink of death, even as she's pregnant
with their first child. While Dr. Abrams urges her to abort the baby to save
her own life, she and Josh step out on faith and
continue the pregnancy.
During the next few months, Josh, a contemporary
Christian singer, struggles with his faith while Beth hides a secret that may
destroy their marriage. She also discovers a decades-old connection to Dr.
Abrams that could change his life forever.
- Abingdon Press, September 2012
Kathy Harris is an author by way of a divine detour into the Nashville entertainment business. She graduated with a B.S. in Communications from Southern Illinois University and has spent the past two decades employed as a marketing director in the Nashville music industry.
An active member of American Christian Fiction Writers and the publicity officer for Middle Tennessee Christian Writers, Kathy lives near Nashville with her husband and their two Shiloh Shepherd dogs. Her fiction debut, The Road to Mercy, was released by Abingdon Press on September 1, 2012.
Kathy regularly interviews literary and music guests on her blog, Divine Detour . Visit Kathy's author site.. She can be found on Facebook or Twitter @DivineDetour.
 I am pleased to welcome author Staci Stallings to Patti's Porch today. Staci has an inspiring message and a FREE Kindle download of her new book Aug 15 & 16 only.
Drowning Lessons
Any lifeguard will tell you the worst thing someone that the lifeguard is trying to save can do is to “help.” A drowning person in a panicked attempt to “save” themselves by thrashing about can end up taking the lifeguard down with them. It’s a lesson all of us need to learn no matter how good we are at swimming in spiritual waters.
Many people ask: “What is my purpose here on earth?” They go through various exercises and workshops to find out what their purpose is. I will save you some time and money if you, too, are asking this age-old question.
You have one purpose here on earth, and it can be summed up in two words: to learn.
You were sent here to learn—to learn about yourself—your capabilities, your liabilities, your strengths, your weaknesses, your abilities, and your limitations. You were also sent here to learn about and how to deal with others—those who are easy to love and those for whom God’s mercy will have to be super-abundant for their forgiveness to be obtained.
Nonetheless, you were mostly sent here to learn about God and His unending, unfathomable, unstoppable, overwhelming, unbelievable love for you.
One of the biggest lessons and one of the hardest to take and accept is what has been called a disruptive moment. These are the times in your life when you have been easily walking next to the water when suddenly something pushes you in to the deep end.
This something might be someone. It might be an event or an illness or death or a sudden change that blows gaping holes in your belief that all is right with your world.
Suddenly you are buffeted—slapped on every side with wave after wave of despair, doubt, anger, hopelessness, helplessness, grief, anxiety, and fear so strong it pulls you under like a rip tide.
I believe what we are sent here to learn is that it is precisely in these times of trial and fear that we learn the real depth of God. It is in these moments that the Almighty Lifeguard takes hold of us, rather than us holding onto Him.
The problem here is that many of us continue to struggle. We continue to try to save ourselves even as the waves wash over us time and again. What God says to us at these moments is exactly what the lifeguard would say to the drowning person. “Relax. Let Me do it. Do not rely on your strength, trust in Mine.”
Your purpose here is primarily to learn that one lesson as deeply as possible. When the storms blow, quit struggling. Trust the Lifeguard.
He has the strength you need. Relax, and let Him work in your life, and you will surely see wonders come from the moments you thought you were destined to drown. By your own effort, you would have. In His strength, however, you will be brought out of the waters of chaos and confusion into a new life you can only know when you have felt both the rip tide and His marvelous, sustaining strength.
In your weakness, His strength can be made manifest. Trust it for it will save you—especially when you feel you are drowning.
Copyright Staci Stallings 2006
Staci Stallings, the author of this article, is a Contemporary Christian author and the founder of Grace & Faith Author Connection. Staci has a special surprise for you today and tomorrow only.
..
FREE ON KINDLE TWO DAYS ONLY!
August 15 & 16
Staci's "Amazing!" novel:
To Protect & Serve
"Reading To Protect & Serve, I'm taken away to another world, a world I want to be a part of and never leave. Staci's characters are real with real everyday problems. I love that.
Oh, and the firemen in this story, they're smokin' hot! Especially the hero!"
--Debra, Amazon Reviewer
When control freak Lisa Matheson falls for handsome but shy firefighter, Jeff Taylor, it's possible that life might just be going her way for a change. The only problem is she can't control Jeff or the death wish he seems to have...
Available as a free download
It is my pleasure to
introduce eclectic and inspirational author Staci Stallings.
Hi Staci! Welcome to
Patti’s Porch. It’s such a pleasure to have you here!
 You have a new
release entitled Coming Undone that's
Free on Kindle today and tomorrow. Tell us about it.
Coming Undone is one of those books that should come with a
box of Kleenex. I should have invested
in them before I started writing it. I'd
be rich by now. LOL. It's the story of
Ben Warren, a guy who's never really grown up because he didn't have to. His theory is the less tied down he is, the
better. So he has dates not
girlfriends. An apartment, not a house.
And a job he could take or leave. He
makes good money, has some good friends, a great car, and a lifestyle that's
free and easy. And then, the unthinkable
happens. He gets a call that his dad,
his rock, his hero in life is in the E.R. and suddenly
Ben's faced with
decisions and responsibilities he never saw coming.
On the other side of the story, we have Kathryn Walker. Kathryn is like so many women
today--independent, good at her job, a friend to everyone, but no one's someone
special. She is the social worker at the
hospice, and she's very good at what she does--which is helping families through
the dying process of their loved one.
The problem is she's not married.
She's not even engaged or thinking about being engaged or really even
going out on actual dates. Oh, she wants
to, but all the good guys are married and the others are in jail. So she's half
playing the waiting game and half playing the "it's okay, there's a lot of
good things about being single" game.
When the truth is, she's really started to think there's something
radically wrong with her.
You have authored
novels, devotionals, articles, and much more. Tell us about your writing
journey.
What a journey! I wrote my first full-length novel in
1996. I followed that one with five more
until I found out I was going broke making copies of them for my friends at
Kinkos. So I found a POD/trying to be a traditional publisher. Got an editor and a publicist, edited the
book, finally got it out, and then I realized a couple of things. The editor had edited me--my voice, my
style--right out of the book to make it "marketable." My friends were like, "Well, it's a good
story, but it sounds nothing like you.
What happened?" Around that
same time the publicist decided she now had the authority to run my life. It was a nightmare!
So I rethought my approach, spent a lot of time with God and
just writing and finally decided to open my own publishing company. Since then, I've helped two friends publish
their books, and I've put out 7 of my own in print and 14 in Kindle and
Nook. I have several blogs as well as 30
total novels, 6 Bible Studies, and 8 collections of short stories that I will
be publishing over the next several years.
What is your favorite
type of writing, fiction or non-fiction and why?
They are different and helpful in their own ways. One often feeds off the other. Like the book I'm writing now. "More
Than This" is the story of a dyslexic writer. I didn't know he was dyslexic when I started
it. In fact, I'd written about 50 pages
before I figured out why he was doing the things he was doing. During that same
time, I found out my son is dyslexic. I
was writing about our challenges on my blog with the articles and then writing
about the character going through some of the same challenges. It's not an either-or thing. All of them as well as all of my life
experiences play in together and teach me truly incredible things about life
and God.
Your website (www.stacistallings.com) carries many
uplifting and inspiring messages for writes and non-writers alike. How did you
know you had been called to this encouragement ministry?
I'm not sure I realized it until just recently
actually. I've always been a good
sideline cheerleader. In fact, when my
daughter played volleyball, other parents wanted to sit by me because if they
had a good play, I was encouraging them, and if they had a bad play, I was
encouraging them, "That's okay.
Keep your head up! You can do
it! Be ready for this one!" That's just the way I am. God has shown me over the years that I'm the
same way with authors. I've helped
several authors become published authors (even through traditional means) and
then multi-published authors and then award-winning multi-published
authors. And I take the same approach
with them. Praise for the things they
are doing well, and we can work on the weaknesses together. Interestingly, I'm the same way with my
readers as well--point out the things that work, encourage, encourage,
encourage. Show how to work on the life weaknesses. Encourage, encourage, encourage! I truly believe God sent me here to build
people up because the world was designed to knock them down and He knew they
were going to need a friend.
I read your book, Cowboy, in electronic format several
months ago. What do you feel the future holds for the ebook?
Kindle and Nook as well as Sony, Apple and all the others
are exploding right now. I read something the other day that the ebook-market
went from 15% saturation to 20% in six months.
The truth is, there are a lot of people who love to read, but carrying
around books in this increasingly fast-paced world is just not practical. But if I can read a book on my phone if I've
got ten minutes at the doctor's office, I can actually read. Versus thinking about the book that's still
on my table and wishing I had it with me.
Now, you can take your whole library with you! And I think based on the saturation-levels,
it's only going to get bigger in the coming years.
Marketing is a huge
part of a writer’s responsibility after publication. What marketing techniques
have garnered the most success for you in promoting your work?
If you're a reader and you really don't care, please feel
free to skip this question. But if
you're a writer... I am laying out marketing strategies in a course I'm
teaching for a group of writers that I founded 3 months ago (it's hard to believe
it's only been 3 months!). The course is
at: http://gnfmarketing.wordpress.com/ On there we talk about the macros of
marketing (the big concepts like push vs. pull and content vs. promos). As the course goes on, we will slowly work
our way into micro-marketing, like how to write a great tweet, how to attract
Facebook Fans, how to use Pinterest and KDP to get attention and sell
books.
I would say in direct answer to your question, however, the single
best thing I've done is join hands with other Christian authors to
cross-promote each other. The group is
called Grace & Faith Authors Connection, and right now we are 110+ members
strong. Through the group, we help and
we learn and we teach and we encourage.
That has been THE thing that was the hinge on being an author with a few
sales and being an author who knows what to do and how to do it and is now
bringing in new readers and bringing back prior readers to make them actual
fans.
What advice would you
give to writers who are striving to break into the publishing world?
Don't be afraid to try.
So much of writing is about the willingness to get in the game. Before you can write The End, you have to
write the last chapter, before the last chapter, the first. Before you write the first chapter, you have
to write a paragraph, before a paragraph, a sentence. And before you write a sentence, you have to
write that first word. You would be
surprised how many people never write the first word. Oh, they have a great story to tell, but they
are so afraid of making mistakes that to put something down in black-and-white
that might not be perfect is terrifying.
In that way, I think our educational system has failed us. We've been graded and had our mistakes
pointed out to us so often that we become afraid to even try.
So breathe! Understand that God gave you the desire. Practice will give you the talent. Find others who will encourage you and help
you grow as a writer, not just criticize you. Once you do that, the only thing
that's stopping you... is you!
Staci Stallings, the author of
this article, is a Contemporary Christian author and the founder of Grace &
Faith Author Connection. Staci has a special surprise for you today and
tomorrow only...
 FREE ON KINDLE TWO DAYS ONLY!
Feb. 1& 2, 2012, Staci's novel
Coming Undone
"If you've ever searched for love, been afraid to love,
or lost someone you love, you will love Coming Undone."
The story of two people trying to live life by the world's
rules who find that loving someone only happens when you learn to love without
asking what you're going to get in return. Available as a free download from
Amazon today only!
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Today is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. It is my pleasure to welcome Kathi Macias, an author who has tackled this grim subject with a compelling novel that grips her audience on page one and doesn't let go until the last word is read.
 Kathi, welcome to Patti's Porch. Your first book in the New Freedom series, Deliver Me From Evil, deals with the
intensely emotional issue of human trafficking. Why did you feel called to
write on this subject?
Human trafficking is indeed a dark subject. It is also much
more widespread than most people realize. With an estimated 27 million people
in captivity around the world, the latest figures out of Washington
claim approximately 100,000 to 300,000 minors are being held in sexual slavery
right here in the United
States. Some say that’s a conservative
estimate, but even one is too many! My publisher and I discussed this some time
ago and agreed that we wanted to do an entire series on the subject, following
the life of a young girl sold into this horrific lifestyle. I feel strongly
that the Church must be at the forefront of these issues in any way we can.
How did you conduct the research that enabled you to portray
the slave trade of innocent children in a realistic manner?
I did a lot of online research, spoke to many in law
enforcement, as well as those involved in ministries and outreaches to these
victims around the world. I also spoke with survivors, which was heartbreaking
but necessary. While maintaining tasteful boundaries, I wanted readers to step
into the dark underworld where this hideous atrocity takes place. So many have
written to me after reading Deliver Me
From Evil to say they are getting involved, to one degree or another, in
helping to set these victims free. That makes it all worthwhile!
Will the next two books in the New Freedom series speak to
the same issue?
 Yes, Special Delivery,
releasing in March 2012, picks up a couple of years after Deliver Me From Evil, dealing with many of the same characters. The
final book in the series, The Deliverer,
begins about six months after book two ends, tying together all the loose ends
of the three-book saga.
You have a long list of publishing credits. Which do you
prefer to write, fiction or non-fiction, short or long work?
That’s a tough question, as I love writing just about
anything. I do a lot of blogging (for free, of course), and also write short
pieces regularly for several publications (mostly online). But I prefer
book-length projects, particularly fiction, though I’ve also enjoyed the
nonfiction books I’ve done, particularly my flagship book, BEYOND ME: Living a You-First Life in a Me-First World.
What was your most memorable speaking engagement and why?
I’ve had so many of them, but though I’m always honored to
do radio/TV shows/interviews and/or speak at large conferences or churches, my
preferred place of ministry/speaking is homeless shelters and jails/prisons.
I’ve led Bible studies of three or four women inmates in county jails and
spoken in chapels at some of the most notorious prisons in the country. That’s
where my heart is, I suppose, though I enjoy speaking to anyone who wants to
hear what God has done in my life and can do in theirs, as it never ceases to
amaze me.
What do you like best about the writing life? Least?
I’m a storyteller at heart—always have been. I’ve wanted to
be a writer as long as I can remember, so I feel so blessed to be able to do
what I love. I suppose I like the feeling of accomplishment at the end of the
day when I realize I’ve reached my goal of 5,000 words (or whatever). It’s
exciting to see stories take shape as characters develop lives of their own. As
for what I like least—the absolute necessity of disciplined writing, even on
days when I want to go outside and play in the sunshine. Every now and then I
take short breaks and do that, but for the most part, turning out several books
a year is long, hard work, even when you love it. I’m up really early (four or
five in the morning), and rarely stop till evening. But when I finally type
“The End,” I’m overjoyed at what God has allowed me to accomplish.
Thank you for visiting with us today, Kathi. I pray your series will make enough people aware of human trafficking so that someday, no child will have to suffer this atrocity.
My Review of Deliver Me
From Evil:
In Deliver Me From Evil, Kathi Macias plunges her readers into the dark world of human trafficking and exploitation of young children. This story follows the broken and tortured lives of sexual slaves, including Mara, who is betrayed into prostitution by her own family at seven years old. Their innocence brutally torn from them, these young victims learn how to hide all emotion as they struggle for survival.
The novel not only portrays the lives of these helpless hostages, but gives us a glimpse into the ruthless mindset and motives of their captors.
Through the darkness and despair shines the light of hope sparked by the compassion of a teen who can't turn his back on the obvious abuse. He risks his safety, confides in his sister, and relies on God's direction to engineer Mara's rescue.
Realistic characterization and a compelling plot mesh to produce this heartrending story. Macias grips her readers with the impact of this degrading social issue and leaves a mark on the human conscience that is difficult to ignore.
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Janice Hanna (also published as Janice Thompson) has published more than seventy novels and non-fiction books. She has also published more than fifty magazine articles and several musical comedies for the stage. Janice makes her home in the Houston area near her children and grandchildren.
Hi Janice. It's great to welcome you back to Patti's Porch!
Hi Patti. It's good to be here.
Please tell us a bit about the plot of Love Finds You in Groom, Texas.
Always the groomsman, never the groom… It’s 1914, and Jake O’Farrell has gained an unusual reputation among the locals: He’s played the roles of groomsman and best man in all four of his older brothers’ weddings, but he’s never been able to find the woman to capture his heart. And now with the upcoming wedding of his best friend, Jake will become the last single man in the town of Groom.
Anne Denning has made the difficult decision to move with her sisters to Texas, but a train derailment forces them to seek shelter in Groom, near Amarillo. Mrs. O’Farrell, hopeful that Anne will catch her youngest son’s eye, invites the girls to stay at her home until the train is repaired and ready to pull out. Anne has no idea of the blissful chaos that lies ahead!
Why did you decide to write this story?
My editor at Summerside approached me with the name of the town because she knows I write a lot of wedding-themed stories. She wanted something lightweight/fun, and she knew me well enough to know I would enjoy a fun story. The only real question we had in the beginning stage was: “Should this be a historical or a contemporary?” We went with historical because I felt sure the story idea was better suited to the turn of the century.
Tell us something interesting about the town of Groom:
Groom boasts a nineteen-story high cross. More than 100 welders worked together to erect it in 1995. Now you can see why I toyed with the idea of writing a contemporary novel! I wanted to include the cross. Because I went with historical, I decided to give the heroine a small cross necklace to wear, one that symbolizes her faith (and alludes to the “bigger” cross to come).
Groom is a wedding-themed book. Why do you write so many stories with a strong wedding theme?
I have four grown daughters—Randi, Megan, Courtney Rae and Courtney Elizabeth. Yes, I really have two daughters named Courtney. (Long story!) All four of my girls got married within four years of each other. We’re told to write what we know. I know weddings, trust me! I helped coordinate all four weddings and even worked as a wedding coordinator at my church for a season. I was also tickled to be the “Wedding Planner Examiner” for the city of Houston for a spell. What fun! You’ll see me writing about weddings for years to come, so hang on for the ride!
What is it about your lead character that will make your readers care about her?
Readers will care about Anne because she’s been through so much and still chooses to move forward. They will also love her relationship with her younger sisters. She’s the only remaining parental figure and takes that position very seriously.
Why will readers enjoy your novel?
In spite of the lead character’s tough situation, the story is filled with comedic elements. Anne’s two younger sisters are a hoot. So is Maggie (the hero’s mother). She’s an Irish spitfire! I think readers will appreciate the romance between Anne and Jake. It’s filled with all sorts of sweet and comic moments.
Why do you like writing comedies with strong take-aways?
Comedy is a great outlet. We comedians can get away with a lot more than authors who play it straight. Want the reader to walk away with a little nugget of truth? Couch it in something humorous. I’ve found that light-hearted writing not only suits my personality, it’s the perfect vehicle for sharing the gospel. Tell us a little about your hero? Is he true hero material?
Jake is a hunka-hunka Texas man! He’s a railroad man who loves his job, loves his family and loves the heroine. He’s got a great sense of humor, which is perfect for this story, because the heroine’s little sisters are loaded with antics! Jake has a lot to deal with: he’s the town’s last single man, which has made him the brunt of many a joke. His older brothers (all married with children) taunt and tease. Jake can never catch a break. Unless he’s with Anne, of course. Then he catches far more than a break. . .he catches the woman of his dreams!
What sorts of transformations take place in this book?
How much time do you have? (Ha!) Seriously, there are so many! The heroine, Anne, has been through tremendous losses and struggles with her faith from the get-go. By the end of the story, she is a woman transformed. Likewise, the hero has been through far too much taunting and teasing. He, too, has faced losses. With Anne’s hand in his, transformation comes. Even precocious Emily, Anne’s younger sister, goes through a bit of a metamorphosis as the story progresses. The biggest change of all, however, is in Uncle Bertrand. I don’t want to give away too much. You’ll have to read the story to see for yourself!
You’ve written other Love Finds You books in the past. Do you enjoy writing for this series? Why or why not?
I can’t say enough about this line of books. From the moment the first book released, I fell in love—with the authors, the covers, the stories, the settings. Most of all, I love the concept. Through these stories, the reader can travel all over the country, bouncing from town to town, city to city. Want a serious historical? You’ll find it in the Love Finds You series. Want a humorous contemporary? You’ll find that, too. Want a book set in a quirky, fun town? Yep. You’ll find it in the Love Finds You series. Want a story set in a remote, faraway place, filled with intrigue? You’ll find that, too.
What are you working on now?
I just turned in Love Finds You in Daisy, Oklahoma, a fun historical about a single woman in her late 30’s who moves from the Gulf Coast to the landlocked state of Oklahoma to become the director at an orphanage. It’s a love story, of course! She falls in love with the town sheriff, who has adopted two of the unruliest boys from the orphanage. I’m currently writing Wedding Belles, the first book in the Belles and Whistles series for Summerside/Guideposts.
I notice you write under two names (Janice Hanna and Janice Thompson). Why?
Those who’ve been reading my romances over the past several years know me as Janice A. Thompson. My joy is mixed with a smidgeon of sorrow as I explain the change in my last name for some of my current releases. In 2006 I lost my father to bone marrow cancer. His last name (Hanna) is my maiden name—and it’s a name that means even more to me now that he is gone. In memory of my father, I use the Hanna name in my historicals. My Revell books will still release under Janice Thompson. I hope you my readers will stick with me, no matter which name I use!
Any suggestions for writers who are trying to get published?
Learn the craft. Take courses. Go to conferences. Do the work. But don’t ever let what you’ve learned rob you of your natural, God-given voice. There’s only one you, after all.
Where else can readers find you online?
I love to connect with my readers at the following places:
Where can I get the book?
Love Finds You in Groom, Texas can be purchased at any number of online stores, as well as my website: www.janicehannathompson.com (front page). Readers can always join my VIP bookclub and get the locked in price of $11 (no shipping) by contacting me directly at booksbyjanice@aol.com.
Thanks for spending time with me! I had a blast!
Leave a comment to win an opportunity to choose any available item from Janice's web site!
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It's always exciting when a new author comes on the scene. It gives the reader a sense of exploring new and uncharted territory, entering the world of never-before-created characters and wandering through the unexpected twists and turns of a different writing style.
This new author is unique in that she is only thirteen years old! Kayla Woodhouse, in collaboration with her mom, Kimberley Woodhouse, will see their first novel, No Safe Haven, released in March of 2011.
Kayla is an outstanding young lady in that she suffers from a rare nerve disorder called Sensory Autonomic Hereditary Neuropathy. This condition impedes her sensitivity to pain and her body's natural ability to regulate temperature. Due to Kayla's condition and the special requirements needed for her survival, the Woodhouse family was chosen to receive a lovely environmentally controlled Colorado home from ABC's Extreme Makeover Home Edition. Since then, Kayla has appeared on Montel and Discovery's Mystery ER.
Despite her medical limitations, Kayla is an avid swimmer who aspires to swim in the Olympics someday. Now, she is the youngest published full-length novelist from a royalty paying publisher. Kayla wrote all the scenes from the point of view of twelve year-old Andrea Tikaani-Gray, a main character in the book, when she, herself, was twelve.
It was my pleasure to interview Kayla for our first issue of Starsongs magazine (Fall 2010), where she provided a blurb of No Safe Haven:
Jenna Tikaani-Gray and her twelve-year-old daughter, Andrea, are on their way home, hoping for a fresh start after a lifetime of medical trials and great sorrow. But when sabotage brings their small plane down, they find themselves fighting for their lives. And they don’t know what’s more dangerous: the weather and terrain of Sultana—one of the most hazardous mountains in Alaska—or the armed men chasing them.
Hardened by the loss in his life, Cole Maddox knows the best path is one he walks alone. No one to care for—or about. That way he can focus on what matters: getting a secret technology safely into the hands of the US Military. But when the plane he’s on with Jenna and Andie crashes, it will take all his skill and strength to get them out alive—and all his determination to stay in his self-imposed solitary confinement.
Go here to see a book trailer.
Although the book will not be in bookstores until March, a pre-buy option is available at the following links:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
ChristianBook.com
This writing team is no "one book wonder". Already contracted and close to completion, Kayla and Kimberley's second book, Race Against Time will make its appearance in November 2011.
To learn more about the Woodhouse family, visit their web site or become a Facebook fan.
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Hi Allison and welcome. I am so pleased to host you on Patti's Porch today. I finished reading your wonderful book, the Weight of Shadows, in three days. What a riveting story! You really evoked deep emotion in me as you related the story of the women in your story and their struggles with secrets that led them to live with such feelings of guilt. My heart raced as I turned the pages, waiting for your heroine to get out of the desperate situation she was in. You crafted a very strong story that held my attention from page one to the very end. With that little introduction to your story, let me ask you a few questions.
Tell us about your writing journey.
I never in a million years thought I'd get to write as a career. I always loved doing it, but knew how hard it is to actually get published, and I didn't think I was good enough to garner anyone's attention. So I just wrote stories for fun and prepared for a career in education. (My degree is in elementary education.) In 2000 I moved from the suburbs of Chicago, where I'd been raised, to Orange County, California. The first time I drove through Hollywood, with Plumb's "Worlds Collide" playing in the background, I caught myself staring at the other cars on the freeway looking for celebrities. When it dawned on me that I could have gotten into a wreck from not paying attention to the road, my imagination took off. What if I ran into a celebrity? Would *I* become famous? Would *their* life change at all from encountering mine?
I couldn't get the ideas out of my head. I hadn't written creatively in a long time--this was just a year after I'd graduated college, and all the papers I'd written during those 5 years had sucked away any desire to write if I didn't have to. But as I started outlining the story--a practice I'd never attempted before--I found myself excited about writing again. I plotted out the story and started writing, and 18 months later I typed "The End." But I still had no plans to publish. I printed it out, stuck it in a binder, let my mom read it, then stuffed it into my closet, never thinking I'd touch it again.
About two months later my dad happened to be talking to an editor from Waterbrook Press. He mentioned to the editor that I'd just finished a book, and the editor asked if he could see it. I sent it in, we talked on the phone a couple times, and a few months later I was offered a two-book contract. I was a little wary at first, to be honest--I was concerned that it was more of an attempt to get my dad on board with publishing there than a real vote of confidence in my abilities, or their attempt to cash in on the Strobel name. But when I raised my concerns with folks there, they assured me they'd publish the book even if I used a pen name. Knowing that made me feel a lot better.
I was still teaching at the time. But a year and a half later God orchestrated things so that it was possible for me to quit teaching and start writing full time. It was such an amazing blessing. I still can't wrap my head around it sometimes, the fact that I get to write and that people actually want to read what I have to say. I love my life!
What is the most enjoyable aspect of writing for you?
From start to finish, my most favorite point in the creation of a book is  the day I open a fresh new Word doc and start chapter 1. I get giddy, no joke. I use Randy Ingermanson's Snowflake Method to outline, and it's a very long and involved process--though also an invaluable tool that I will never again write a book without using--so by the time I'm done with it I am *dying* to start writing. I've been mulling over and working on various aspects of the story for a good 4-8 weeks at that point, and I'm mentally done with the whole planning stage. I want to start crafting sentences.
What do you dislike, if anything, about writing?
Research. I HATE research. I hate the time it takes, I hate worrying that there's something I've missed that readers will pick up on and that I'll look like I didn't do my homework at all. I hate chasing down details, or hitting walls because I can't find an actual person to talk to who is knowledgeable in a particular area when I'm not confident in the stuff I'm finding online. Going to the library to research just isn't possible for me, so the Internet is my main tool for research. Facebook has actually come through for me a few times--I've been able to connect with experts through my friends. For example, when I was working on The Weight of Shadows, I wanted to find someone who worked with abused women to make sure I was accurately portraying abusive relationships and also what women's shelters are like. A friend back in Chicago saw my note on Facebook about needing that type of information, and he told me he knew a woman who worked as a director for a women's shelter in the city. He got me in touch with her and she helped me with the details and even read the rough draft to make sure I'd written the abuse dynamic and the shelter scenes realistically. And, funny story: for my April 2011 release, Memory of the Heart, I needed to find a medical expert. I asked a childhood friend if her older sister, who had once been my babysitter, was still an ER doctor and if she might be willing to chat with me. In the end she helped me with a scene in Reinventing Rachel, as well as some other bits of Trouble Child. It was really weird to write back and forth about street drugs and ER procedure and mental illness with the woman who had once played "Taste Test" with my brother and I when my parents went to the mid-week service at church.
Are you a plotter or seat of the pantser?
Every story I ever wrote before Worlds Collide was as a panter. And that explains why all the novels I started before Worlds Collide never got past the first chapter. That book was the first one I'd ever outlined, and it was like unlocking my creativity to have a plan to follow. Even though the final story ended up straying from the outline, just having that list of "big points" gave me the direction I needed to keep working. And now, as I previously mentioned, I use the ultimate outlining tool--The Snowflake. I honestly think that anyone who is interested in writing novels needs to get Randy's lecture (only ten bucks, how could you not?!) and at least give it a good shot. I've heard people say it doesn't work for them, and even though I can't imagine that, I'm willing to concede that it's not for everybody. But I still think everyone needs to at least try it. :)
How much research have you had to do for your novels?
My need to research has increased lately--with Worlds Collide I barely did any and pretty much just relied on my imagination and what I'd picked up through Us Weekly Magazine and movies. :) I did a little more with Violette Between--researching comas--and then quite a lot more with The Weight of Shadows. Reinventing Rachel didn't need much, but Memory of the Heart needed a ton. I have dozens of emails from my ER doc babysitter, as well as a few books that I read. That was definitely the most research I've done for a book, and I really hope I don't have to do that much more for a long time. :) And of course, for all the books I do a lot of random fact-finding--Google Maps is one of my always-open browser tabs, so I can look up the towns in which I set the stories (or the real-life towns that the fictional ones I make up are modeled after) and figure out things like hospital names or distance between two landmarks or whatever.
Do you have any research tips?
Um, do it? Honestly, I don't think I'm good enough at it yet to be giving out advice! Though I will say this: check your sources, especially if you're researching on the internet. Make sure the sites are reputable. I know that sounds obvious, but sometimes sites *look* reputable but are really more about advertising than accuracy.
I understand you moved to Colorado within recent years. Is there a particular attraction in our beautiful state that you would like to see?
We haven't been to Garden of the Gods yet. I really want to go there. The sand dunes, too! It's hard right now because the girls still nap and also aren't fans of long car rides. But we're planning some little overnight trips that will allow us to set up a "base camp" and take day trips from there. I think we'll be hitting Garden of the Gods on our first one. I can't wait!
Alison, thank you for a wonderful interview. I would like to wish you continued success with your writing career. Hope you get to take some time off from writing to enjoy those camping trips and see the Sand Dunes and Garden of the Gods!
go here for information about other blog tour participants.
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