"A Modest Proposal" by Michele Ashman Bell

Author BlogVIEW
With Michele Ashman Bell

Title: "A Modest Proposal" from the "Butterfly Box" series.
This is the first book in hopefully a five book series.
Publisher: Covenant Communications. They have published all my books.
Release Date: May of 2008. I'm hoping the next book in the series will be out before the end of this year.
Website: http://www.micheleashmanbell.com/
Blog: http://www.micheleabell.blogspot.com/

What inspired you to write the book/series?
Several things inspired me to write this series and this particular book. After spending many years attending book signings at Ladies Night, Education Week and Women's Conferences, I had enjoyed seeing the beautiful way in which women surround themselves with support, either from family or friends. Many times I would ask one of the women who they were with and they would tell me they were with their sisters, or neighbors, or girlfriends and that certain events were annual events for them. I love seeing this sisterhood and the need women have to have these connections with others. I wanted to write a series about a group of women who had been friends since high school and how they stayed close through the years and still gave love and support to each other. The first book "A Modest Proposal" is about one of the friends and her life in New York City as a clothes designer and her dream of designing clothes that are high fashion and modest. I wrote this book because I spent many hours in dressing rooms with a crying daughter trying to find a dress for prom that was modest and pretty. I figured there were other moms and daughters who would read this story and relate to it. I also wanted to let women know that they can indeed have both!

What is your favorite chapter in the book and why?
I always like the point in the story where the character has everything working against them and they are beaten down and ready to give, but then, they have that moment, that epiphany, when they realize they can do it. In my book it happens when Lauryn, the main character, has everything working against her, and is deathly ill on top of it, and she thinks that all her hard work has basically gone down the toilet, then she learns some information that helps her realize, she can do it! I love the energy and the excitement and the positiveness of it all. I call these, "Esther" moments. We all have them.

Do you have other books you have written?
I mentioned earlier that I do have quite a few other books. They are; Unexpected Love, Enduring Love, A Forever Love, Yesterdays Love, Love After All, Love Lights the Way, Pathway Home, Written in the Stars, Finding Paradise, Without A Flaw, Timeless Moments, Forget Me Not, Perfect Timing, A Modest Proposal, and my kids series, Latter-day Spies: Spyhunt, Dragon's Jaw and Rescue. Also my Christmas book, "A Candle in the Window" and several other Christmas booklets.

Is there a particular event that stands out to you that helped you become an author?
One of the most profound was when I attended a conference and listened to an editor from the LDS market who talked about how the market was really breaking open and there was a lot of great potential. I had been trying to break into the national market without luck and this was like an "aha!" moment for me. It changed my whole focus and helped me move in the right direction. I really think that I was supposed to be there in that meeting that day to hear her, or I might never have considered the LDS market.

Was there a person in your life who believed in you more than you believed in yourself? If so, who was that person?
I'll be honest, I always had love and support from my husband and family, but I really didn't have that one special person who cheered for me and said, "I know you can do this." That had to come from inside of me. I had to dig deep and go to the Lord when I got discouraged or felt defeated. I had wonderful friends in critique groups, but I really had to push it through on my own determination and perseverance.

What advice would you give to writers wishing to have their works published?
To work hard and never give up on their dream. I know many talented authors who will never get published because they don't work as hard. I would also tell them to write constantly and really hone their skill as a writer. I still am learning the tricks of the trade and feel I can always improve.

What is the last book you read? What did you like about it?
The last book I read for pleasure was "Left to Tell" a book by a woman who survived the Rwandan holocaust. The book changed my life. I love reading biographies and stories about people surviving and overcoming great difficulties. This woman wrote her story of watching her family get killed right in front of her eyes, as well as many other loved ones and neighbors and friends and survived for months living in hiding in a bathroom while the holocaust continued, yet she forgave the men who performed these horrible deeds.

Is there a quote that motivates you? If so, please share!
There are two that seem to describe me and what I believe. The first is the well-known quote by Robert Frost, "Two roads diverged in a wood and I took the one less traveled by and that has made all the difference." The other one is by Oprah Winfrey who said, "Luck is preparation meeting opportunity." I do believe we create our own luck by working hard and being ready when opportunity knocks.

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Thank you Michele for the interview! I love the quotes you shared and the advice you offer for Writers who dare to dream, write and REACH :) ... I wish you all the best with your books and writing journey! ~ Wendy Christensen

"The Forgotten Warrior" by Kathi Oram Peterson

Author blogVIEW
with Kathi Oram Peterson

Title: "The Forgotten Warrior" / Release Date: January 2009
Publisher: Covenant Communications Inc.
Website: http://www.kathiorampeterson.com/
Blog: http://www.kathiswritingnook.com/


What inspired you to write this book?
My son suggested I write about the stripling warriors. They have always been my heroes, so I was very open to the idea. Serving in Young Women's, I wanted the girls to realize they can be warriors, too. But since there are only four women mentioned in the Book of Mormon I created Sydney Morgan, a modern, sixteen-year-old young woman who has a black belt in karate. Of course, she has to travel back in time to help out the warriors.

What is your favorite chapter in the book and why?
That's a hard question to answer. I loved writing the scenes between Tarik (the hero) and Sydney (the protagonist), but I'd have to say Chapter 20--Two Best Fighters was my favorite. For this chapter I read and reread Helaman's letters to Moroni in the Book of Mormon. The love that man had for those boys framed his words. I only hope I did him justice as I wrote the scene of him trying to rally the stripling warriors to go to battle against a Lamanite army that outnumbered them.

Do you have other books you have written? If yes, what are they?
Yes. The sequel for The Forgotten Warrior is in my publisher's hands. I have a Christmas story due to come out in the fall of 2009 titled, An Angel on Main Street. It's set in the 1950's and the protagonist is Micah Connors, and eleven-year-old boy who has a great fear of death. His father died during the Korean war. His little sister, Annie, is very ill and Micah fears she will die. In the center of town a nativity begins to appear one piece at a time. Annie tells Micah that when the baby Jesus comes, he'll make her well. Micah fears his sister may die before Christmas, so he sets out on a quest to find the nativity maker and borrow the baby Jesus.

Is there a particular event that stands out to you that helped you become an author?
Maybe it was the night when I called an writer to get his advice. He pretty much told me off by saying, who did I think I was trying to write a book? If he thought he'd discouraged me, he was dead wrong. What is that saying... something about a woman scorn...anyway he only made me more determined.

Was there a person in your life who believed in you more than you believed in yourself? If so, who was that person?
My husband, Bruce. When I'm discouraged, he lifts me up.

What advice would you give to writers wishing to have their works published?
I remember going to a writers conference in Denver. I was attending in a lecture where the author was talking about how she had sold the first book she'd ever written and had been publishing every since. I knew that lecture was not for me, so I left and in the reception area I found several well-known published authors. They, too, had bailed on the talk and told me the speaker was the exception. They had all received many rejections in their careers and said if you want it badly enough, if you're willing to take the criticism and rejections, and still remain determined to see your dream come true, you'll make it. They were right, so I'm more than happy to pass that advice on to others.

Who is your favorite author?

Francine Rivers

Do you have a quote that motivates you?
I received this saying for Christmas: "If there is ever a tomorrow when we're not together...there is something you must always remember...you are braver than you believe, stronger that you seem, and smarter than you think...but the most important thing is, even if we're apart, I'll always be with you." Signed, Winnie the Pooh (anyway that's what the plaque says).

Personal notes from Wendy:
Kathi, I really appreciated your advice to authors about being willing to keep writing and trying! I agree - If you want something badly enough, you'll find a way to make it happen. Thanks for the interview - good luck with your books.

"Lemon Tart" by Josi Kilpack

Author blogVIEW
with Josi Kilpack

Title: "Lemon Tart"—the first book in my new Sadie Hoffmiller culinary mystery series.
Publisher: Deseret Book
Release Date: January 2009
Website: http://www.josiskilpack.com/

What inspired you to write this book?
I participated in a contest hosted by Jeff Savage about three years ago where he challenged writers to write the first chapter of a mystery novel that involved food. I had never written anything like that and had a lot of fun doing it. Over the next couple years I worked on it here and there and then last spring I approached Deseret Book (who was currently publishing my LDS women’s fiction) with the idea. They liked it, we added the recipes to make it an actual culinary mystery, and here we are now. It’s a very different book than anything I’ve written before but I’m very excited about it.

What is your favorite chapter in the book and why?
Hmmm. That’s a tough one. I think my favorite chapter is probably the one where Sadie breaks into her neighbor’s house and ends up hiding under the bed when another intruder entered. It was tons of fun to write and includes some key clues that made me feel very clever.

Do you have other books you have written? If yes, what are they?
Before Lemon Tart I had written eight LDS novels—seven are LDS women’s fiction; some are romance, others are more suspense. The eighth was a YA novel I wrote back in 2004. My most recent LDS fiction novel was Her Good Name, which was published in September 2008 and is about a woman who has her identity stolen and has to prove who she really is. Most of my LDS fiction is centered around modern day issues—prescription drug addiction, internet predators, infertility etc.

Is there a particular event that stands out to you that helped you become an author?
I don’t think I would be an author if not for bed rest associated with my third pregnancy where I started a short story because I had nothing else to do. I’d always loved to write, but I really flipped the switch with that experience and it eventually became my first book, Earning Eternity. The other thing that helped me is that I’m doggedly determined when I want something. I was too dumb to know how to do things right, so I just kept doing what seemed like a good idea and it’s worked out for me—a long road, to be sure, but ultimately I’m quite happy where I am so there’s not much point in regretting my wandering path, is there? :-)

Was there a person in your life who believed in you more than you believed in yourself? If so, who was that person?

It would have to be my husband, Lee. He’s always seen more in me than I have (or most people have seen in me, actually) and whenever I face discouragements he’s the one that tells me I can do this. When I started writing it thought it was great, when I let the writing take too much time away from my other responsibilities, he’s the one that pulls me back to reality and when I achieve success, he’s proud and yet not the least bit surprised. Without him I’d have never dared show my work to anyone, let alone work toward publication. He is the greatest gift God has ever given me, and brought every other good thing I have in my life with him.

What advice would you give to writers wishing to have their works published?
To keep at it and learn, learn, learn. Most authors feel ‘inspired’ to write; too many of them assume that inspiration is enough. It isn’t. It’s the starting point, but to truly be successful you need to write your best work which means you have to know what you’re doing. Read writing books (38 most common mistakes in fiction by Jack Bickenham is one of my favorites) and attend writing conferences, classes, or groups. Learn the craft behind telling a story so that you can tell YOURS. There are not many people wiling to work hard and long enough to reach publication, but those that are open to learning, accepting feedback, and making writing a priority in their life can’t be stopped if they set their sights on the goal and continually work toward it.

Who is your favorite author?
Oh yikes, that’s hard. I read rather eclectically, so I have a variety of authors I love—Gerald Lund, Mary Higgins Clark, Brandon Mull, Jeannette Rallison, John Grisham. I don’t know that I have ONE favorite.

Do you have a quote that motivates you?
"Use your talents, for use is why they were made. What is a Sundial in the shade?"
-Benjamin Franklin

{Thoughts from Josi}
I believe that we were all sent here with a variety of gifts that, when realized and worked toward, we can develop into talents. One of the reasons we are sent to earth in the first place is to discover and grow these gifts. Developing my gift of being able to tell a good story into writing novels has been incredibly rewarding to me and I am passionate about encouraging other people to look inside themselves, find those gifts God has hidden there, and grow them. They not only bless the person that does the work, but it then influences everyone around them. It’s an amazing circle of inspiration and achievement. I have benefited greatly from people in my life who have developed their talents and hope that my efforts have the same benefit for someone else.

For more information about Josi - visit her website and/or blog -
Website - http://www.josiskilpack.com/
Blog - http://www.josikilpack.blogspot.com/

Josi, thanks for sharing your author beginning here ...
Best of luck with your books :) --- Wendy

Confessions of a Completely In*Sane Mother by Kersten Campbell

Author blogVIEW
with Kersten Campbell

Title: "Confessions of a Completely In*Sane Mother" by Kersten Campbell
Publisher: "Horizon Publishers" an imprint of Cedar Fort Publishing, Inc.
Release Date: February 2009 / In stores March of 2009
Website: http://www.kerstencampbell.com/

What inspired you to write the book?
I wanted to encourage mothers and families to laugh and enjoy the wonderful stages of family life instead of being stressed and overwhelmed by their daily disasters. Many mothers feel discouraged by their failures and weaknesses, but I love the human condition--that we all have our own faults and strengths,and ultimately we all need each other and the Savior to make it work. I wanted to write a book that would make women feel good about themselves, laugh about their family fiascos, and realize that all mothers struggle with the same issues, and that there is laughter and joy in the journey.

What is your favorite chapter in the book and why?
My favorite chapter has to be the one where my son is selling rocks out of our driveway to all the neighbors. There is even a rock that costs $30! He is so hopeful, and to my horror and amazement some of the neighbors actually buy some. This really happened, and at first I was so mortified that my son was doing something so ridiculous, but then I ended up buying one myself because he was so cute and I couldn't resist him. I love this chapter because it shows how your kids do stuff that is crazy and embarrassing but you can't help but love them all the more for it!

Do you have other books you have written? If yes, what are they?
This is my first one.

Is there a particular event that stands out to you that helped you become an author?
No real event. I just have always loved being lost in a book, and I enjoy the musical quality of language and its power to move people. That is what inspires me to keep writing. I want to make a difference--to give people happiness and hope.

Was there a person in your life who believed in you more than you believed in yourself? If so, who was that person?
Actually, most people thought I was crazy to try and write all the time because they viewed it as a 'pie in the sky' dream. I have a lot of practical people in my family. Luckily, the Lord believed in me. I believe He inspired me to write this book.

What advice would you give to writers wishing to have their works published? Never give up. Even if you aren't that good at writing, if you love it...keep at it. I look back at my early writing and just laugh. It's pretty bad. You will improve, and the only way to improve is to keep writing, and if one thing fails, try another until you find your niche. But keep your perspective. Don't sacrifice the things that are most important, like family. Be patient. Little by little, it will come.

Who is your favorite author?
Right now my favorite author is Shannon Hale. She writes in language that is so beautiful. It just washes over you with its stunning imagry.

Do you have a quote that motivates you? If so ... (please share)
"Live, Laugh, Love" It reminds me that family, laughter, and loving others are the most important things, and I want to keep writing about them.

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Personal note: The blurb on the back cover of the book is a quote by me! I really enjoyed Kersten's book and laughed out loud many times ... Thanks Kersten for making a difference!

"Three Weeks with My Brother" by Nicholas Sparks

I have a confession - I found this book on a whim while at the public library (oh how I love the library) And am currently reading it. I'll be writing a review for it as soon as I finish!

It's a memoir - (yup) I LOVE it already.

Cheers to books and beautiful beginnings ---
~ Wendy

Do you twitter? Me too - http://twitter.com/authenticstyle
Thanks to all who follow and make the 'tweet world' so fun!!

Grand Loving by Sue Johnson & Julie Carlson

Author blogVIEW

with Sue Johnson


Title: "GrandLoving" by Sue Johnson & Julie Carlson
Publisher: Fairview Press published the first edition and Heartstrings Press published the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th editions
Release Date: The first edition came out in 1996 and our most recent 4th edition came out in 2006
Website: http://www.grandloving.com/

What inspired you to write the book? The arrival of our first grandson and our wanting to be part of his life despite the fact that we were on opposite coasts.

What is your favorite chapter in the book – and why? Love them all - like a baby - each chapter brings good things!

Do you have other books you have written? If yes, what are they? Just the 4 editions but each has so much new material that we feel like we've written 4 books!

Is there a particular event that stands out to you that helped you become an author? Looking in the bookstores and library for a good book on grandparenting when our first grandson was born and not being able to find anything helpful or useful. Mentioned this void to our daughter-in-law and said, "Gosh, I could write a better book than what is out there," and Julie said, "Well, Mom!" followed by a quick, "How would you like a co-author." The rest is history! We've been a co-author team ever since!

Was there a person in your life that believed in you even more than you believed in yourself? If so – who was that person? My husband

What advice would you give to writers wishing to have their works published? Write about your passion

Who is your favorite author? Barbara Kingsolver

What is your favorite quote? My grandmother always told me to "Say little, but do much!"
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Personal note: I had the opportunity to meet Sue while attending Book Expo in Washington, D.C. We spent an evening together at a very fun book design party - presented by the Cover Girls... Sue is a spunky, fun lady with a passion for living! :) You'll love her book ...

Christy Condoleo author of "Tyme's Hope"

Author blogVIEW
With Christy Condoleo

Christy Condoleo is the author of - "Tyme's Hope"

Published by - Eppy's Creations thru Lulu.com

Release Date - 2007

What inspired you to write the book? My sister and my over protective dogs

What is your favorite part of the book? ...a scene I like the most is when Hope finds her brother

Do you have other books you have written? If yes, what are they?

Yes. "Gasgeil's Bravery" published through Xlibris

Is there a particular event that stands out to you that helped you become an author? Childhood; not having anyone around my age to play with

Was there a person in your life who believed in you more than you believed in yourself? If so, who was that person? My mother

What advice would you give to writers wishing to have their works published? Don't give up--always believe in yourself and your characters, editing is never ending and always needs a second (or more) set of eyes, and not everyone will love your story but not everyone will hate it.

Who is your favorite author? Piers Anthony--As a lonely teen, I spent many long and happy hours in his worlds!

What is your favorite quote? I will find a way or I will make my own--I'm not certain who this is from but it is the one I live by.

Visit Christy online at - http://www.eppyscreations.com/