BLOGWORDS – Thursday 8 June 2017 – CHAT THURSDAY – SERIOUSLY WRITE INTERVIEW BLITZ – AUTHOR INTERVIEW – ANNETTE IRBY
CHAT THURSDAY – SERIOUSLY WRITE INTERVIEW BLITZ – AUTHOR INTERVIEW – ANNETTE IRBY
“Blessed is she who believes, for there shall be a perfecting of those things which were told her from the Lord. Luke 1:45”
“The heavy burden of unforgiveness can eat at us day after day. Our consciences weren’t meant to carry it around with us. Ideally, our consciences can be cleaned. And when that happens, we’re free! Joy wells up inside because that heavy, horrible, monstrous burden has been not only removed, but obliterated.”
rem: Hullo Annette! Welcome to my little nest. Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
ANNETTE: I was raised in the Midwest and now live in Northwest. I’ve always been attracted to water and beaches and love visiting them whenever I can.
rem: Me too, but I do love mountains and trees. Tell us three things about yourself.
ANNETTE: I’m a mother and a grandmother, and I’m completely in love with my grandson.
rem: Because him stole your heart!! ❤ Coffee or tea? Sweet or un? Flavored or not?
ANNETTE: Neither. 😊 I’m more of a cocoa person.
rem: Of course chocolate, always the chocolate. What is your favourite quotation and why?
ANNETTE: “God made me for a purpose, but He also made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure.” ~ Olympic Gold Medalist Eric Liddell in Chariots of Fire. That’s how I feel when I write.
rem: So much YESSS!!! What do you do as a hobby?
ANNETTE: I love gardening. A lot of times I don’t even let winter stop me. I’ll be out in my garden area with my containers and planting primrose in January as soon as I get the chance. Color inspires me, so surrounding myself in color helps me create. Even today, I walked through a local garden center, creating groupings in my mind—which colors go together, etc. It’s like creating works of art that grow. Like the beach, I can’t get enough.
rem: Me too!! Haven’t had the opportunity for a long while, but there’s just something about digging in the dirt. What’s the most random thing in your bag or on your desk?
ANNETTE: A signed choir practice log for my youngest. Music runs in the family. 😊
rem: And a musician, too! Would you bungee?
ANNETTE: With my back situation, I’d better not. But the hero in book two of the series I’m working on, may need to. 😉
rem: Love when our peeps (characters) get to do stuff we can’t! Favorite season? Why?
ANNETTE: Spring! I love when life comes back, when color returns, when the sun feels warm once again. And I have a spring birthday, so that’s always part of the fun of the season for me.
rem: Birthdays always make it better! (Happy Birthday – Late… ) Do you have a favorite Bible verse? And why is it a favorite?
ANNETTE: Luke 1:45 “And blessed is she who believes, for there shall be a perfecting of those things which were told her from the Lord.” (MKJV) This is my life verse as God has spoken many things to me and fulfilled them. I love how personal this is, even the fact that it reads “blessed is she” because so many Scriptures use “he” language and leave it at that.
rem: Annette, that’s beautiful. And a wonderful reminder to us all. What do you think is significant about Christian fiction? How has being a novelist impacted your relationship with Christ?
ANNETTE: Jesus used story to communicate truths to people, so He set an example. He also wired humans, I think, to relate to and long for story. Great books (like great films) can change people. The highlight of CBA fiction is that we can include hope, which, paired with faith, is often the light that guides our way through difficult times in real life. In my career path as a writer, God has often used Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. (NKJV) He both gave me dreams and now he’s fulfilling them. The journey hasn’t always been easy or pleasant, of course, but dreaming in God is the best because what He begins in us, He will faithfully complete. That reassurance, and the sheer pleasure of dreaming, inspire me to work hard and keep dreaming.
rem: Once I stepped into this role, which He’s had for me all along, my faith began to grow to new levels. When reading, what makes or breaks a story for you? Your fiction pet peeve?
ANNETTE: Ooh, as an editor I have many. 😊 Recently, I was reading a novel by a well-known author that was so full of redundancies and telling, I could barely keep going. A few fiction pet peeves: overuse of the word cheeks and/or using the cliché “couldn’t help but” and “turned on his heel.” (People pivot on the balls of their feet. I’ve never understood that one.) Or the use of “roiling.” Enough already with that word. 😉
rem: I may or may not have used the word “roiling” a time or two… Which is more important: plot or characters?
ANNETTE: Characters for sure. I feel that readers relate more with them, especially in my genre (CBA romance, and women’s fiction). And relating with a character means putting oneself in her shoes, which can lead to breakthroughs and change as her epiphany influences ours.
rem: What would you do if you weren’t writing?
ANNETTE: Perhaps a career in marine biology or maybe horticulture. At this point, it’s difficult for me to picture a life outside of writing and editing. Using my imagination to create story is such a big part of my life, and has been, even from a very early age. Lately, God has brought memories to mind of how I used to invent stories (daydream) during our family’s summer vacations when I was a child. Dappled sunlight on a breezy summer afternoon, a boulder, and a tree surrounded in freshly mowed lawn was all I needed for inspiration. I’ve been spinning stories since before I was willing (and perhaps even able) to write them down.
rem: After your answer above, I can totally see you in horticulture—maybe one of your peeps might take that on for you. 😉 What are you reading right now?
ANNETTE: An autobiography by Steven Curtis Chapman called Between Heaven and the Real World (Revell, 2017). I enjoy reading biographies and autobiographies because they are the stories of people’s lives. I like relating and finding a kindred spirit. His approach to sharing his life story thus far is humble, friendly, and relatable as he discusses all sides of the faith walk—including tragedy—with readers. He didn’t sugarcoat the challenges, and I respect that. Of course, having his book on my nightstand this week has me breaking out in his hit song from 1992, “The Great Adventure,” at random times throughout the day. 😉
rem: Annnddd…. Now “The Great Adventure” is playing in my mind—and I’ll go have a listen and share it to FB. What do you munch on while you write?
ANNETTE: I don’t, actually. But I keep a glass of cold water nearby. In colder months, I bring a mug of cocoa to work with me.
rem: Ohhhh, such discipline! Tell us a little about your writing journey.
ANNETTE: I remember writing songs when I was really, really young (before preschool and before I could write them down). Story came a little later, as you read above. When I was a tween, our family befriended a neighbor who had an old manual typewriter. I was fascinated by that machine. She’d let me pound out my stories on that thing for hours. Inspiration struck at all hours, especially when I was out walking or enjoying nature somewhere. Then, as a young mom, I picked up writing again, putting together a trilogy or two. I attended my first writers’ conference around 1998 or so and met other writers, as well as agents and editors. What a great experience! I was hooked.
rem: I think my favorite bit of this whole thing is the wonderful network of writer friends I’ve made! How long have you been a member of the Seriously Write team?
ANNETTE: I launched Seriously Write in late June of 2009 and quickly asked Dawn Kinzer if she’d join in. Between the two of us, and with the connections we’d made in the writing world, we wrote lots of posts and invited our writing friends to visit. Later, we added more team members, who’ve done a fantastic job of making SW feel like a community. (So grateful for our faithful team!) We share new content every weekday to encourage fellow writers. It’s a great way to give back to the writing community, which has so blessed us!
rem: So you’re the Founding Mother! What do you like best about Seriously Write blog?
ANNETTE: Our mission statement is: Encouraging and equipping Christian writers along their writing journey. I like that we stick to that focus because the creative life, with all its ups and downs, dreams, and times of waiting, and rejection, calls for abundant encouragement. We share content for writers from a Christian world view and try to always bring relevant information.
rem: I love your team and how you all work together, with guesties, to maintain your Mission Statement. How often do you post on the blog?
ANNETTE: That’s changed over the years. I’m posting once or twice a month lately. Mondays are my responsibility, and I have regular contributors whom I appreciate very much! As you know, blogging can highjack your time if you let it. 😉
rem: Yeah, I love my guest post-ees, also. You write and you’re an editor—which came first?
ANNETTE: Writing and publishing came first. Many of the freelance editors I know, as well as many who work for big publishing companies, began as writers themselves. That background helps editors 1) relate with authors, 2) understand writing from the other side of the desk, and 3) approach the process from one of personal experience. I worked in acquisitions for five years, even serving on faculty at a writers’ conference. Prior to that position, I had sat on the pitching side of the desk during those anxious editor meetings. Later, I was listening to pitches. I understood the angst and pressure. I tried to help writers feel at ease. And as an experienced writer and editor, I knew what to look for in their sample writing.
rem: Besides Seriously Write, you have three blogs. How do you juggle them?
ANNETTE: Like I said, blogging can highjack your time if you let it. Now that I’m under contract for three books (yippee!), and editing regularly for freelance clients, I must be even more careful about my time. So, honestly, I’ve had to let some of my usual blogging go. I keep up with my book review blog because reading for review is a way I can give back, and a way I can keep up with current books/authors/trends in Christian publishing. My other blogs have shifted from devotional to music sharing where I share music that inspires me.
rem: Congrats on the contract! What is your Writing Routine? Where do you write: In a cave, a coffeehouse, or a cozy nook?
ANNETTE: I’m so grateful to have a writing/editing office in our home. It’s a bedroom that I’ve decorated in a way that inspires me. I can go in there and shut out the world. I also use the space for my editing jobs. But using my laptop, I still have the freedom to go to the library, or my favorite spot—Panera Bread—to plot, write, rewrite, etc.
rem: What a long way we’ve come since quill and paper, eh! What makes you struggle as an author? How do you handle it?
ANNETTE: I’m not a plotter. Well, I’ll rephrase, I’m a part-time plotter. Plotting an entire story through every layer before writing does not come naturally to me. Still, I’ve seen that having an outline makes the writing flow, which is why I’ve got a “toolkit” of articles and books and workbooks on plotting (and many writing craft topics). A lot of times over the years, especially before I was under contract, I would write the full rough draft of a novel without much of an outline. Instincts after all these years of studying the craft of writing, guided me. But in the last several years, I’ve tried to come up with more detailed outlines ahead of time. I’m finding my way, but it still isn’t effortless. That’s why I’m glad for all the resources we writers can turn to these days.
rem: I’m a 90/10 Plantzer, 90% pantzer and 10% plotter. Do you prefer the creating or editing aspect of writing? Why?
ANNETTE: When I’m wearing my author hat—creating! There’s nothing like the high of fingers-flying-and-words-flowing productivity. When I’m wearing my editing hat, and especially if the work is someone else’s and I can be objective—the editing aspect. I really enjoy mentoring other authors, which I get to do in my editing/critiquing work. Editing my own work is most effective if I’ve had a bit of a break from the material between writing and rewriting.
rem: What do you enjoy most about being a writer?
ANNETTE: The same thing I think readers enjoy—getting lost in the story. A few years ago, I was working on a project from the opposite season—I think it was a story set in the summertime, but the winter winds were howling outside as I wrote. I remember being so lost in that story world and setting, I had to shake off that world in order to return to reality. There’s nothing like that immersion into our imaginations and the world of a good story.
rem: Those are the best—from both sides! What was the hardest thing about publishing? The easiest?
ANNETTE: Finding the right outlet is tough much of the time. This was especially true before indie publishing became such a viable and respectable option. My first book, Love Letters, (published 2007) was a marrieds romance, which is a tough story to place because the story doesn’t follow the usual formula of single people finding each other and falling in love. Thankfully I found a publisher who at the time was open to that type of outside-the-box story. The easiest? I’m drawing a blank in terms of easy publishing aspects. The part I like best? Sharing the hope God’s given me with others.
rem: Sheesh, I’m nothing if I’m not “outside the box!!” LOL What are your top 3 recommendations for a new writer? What 3 things would recommend not doing?
ANNETTE: Study the craft of writing as often as you can and know that it can take around 10,000 hours to become proficient in something. Read, read, read both in your genre(s) and in others. And network with others in the writing community by joining a critique group (which has the added benefit of learning from others, developing a thicker skin, making friends with fellow writers who “get you,” and practicing discernment with various types of feedback so you can decide what to incorporate in your manuscript). A few no-nos: Don’t be afraid to put your work out there (especially in a critique group setting). Don’t assume you know everything; we’re all still learning. Once you’re published, don’t let one negative review cancel out the value of the positive ones in your mind.
rem: Such great advice! How do you choose your characters’ names?
ANNETTE: I keep a baby name book on my bookshelf. I love this part of building a new novel. Also, there’ve been times when I’ve met people or read names in everyday life that have inspired me.
rem: Yup, I got a baby name book, too. And docs of names for era / culture. Do you think of the entire story before you start writing?
ANNETTE: In some ways, perhaps. My genre dictates certain aspects, and I do attempt to outline. (see above) But in many ways, the story flows as I write. Even when I outline, there are aspects of the story that are new to me as the writing gets underway.
rem: Those are the best, I think, the unexpected bits as we write—“I did not see THAT coming!” Tell us a little about your latest book? What is your current project?
ANNETTE: First, a little background. Today I’m featuring my previous release, Her Nerdy Cowboy because I do not have a final cover or a pre-order link available just yet for my summer release: Finding Love in Friday Harbor, Washington. (Follow my Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Annette-M.-Irby/e/B00IQH8AOW/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1) for more information on my Friday Harbor novel, which releases this September 1st. If you join me on my Facebook reader group, you’ll be the first to see my book cover when I do a reveal later this summer.
The Friday Harbor novel releasing September 1st is the first book in my Washington Island Romance series. I’m excited to take readers to gorgeous Friday Harbor and share the setting and some lovable, flawed characters as they reunite after twelve years apart. Here’s the blurb:
Finding Love in Friday Harbor, Washington (Releases September 1, 2017)
Professor Mikaela Rhoades has invented a way to benefit her students’ education while helping a family friend on San Juan Island, Washington. She’ll launch a new University of Seattle marine biology program involving Cahill Touring—a local whale tour operation in gorgeous Friday Harbor. The only hitch is the post involves working closely with her first love. Now she just has to face down her anxiety and get through the summer.
Captain Hunter Cahill took over the family touring business after his father’s death. He’s grieving and hoping this stodgy professor Mom has lined up will help resurrect the failing business. He’s not prepared for Mikaela, his former fiancée, to drop back into his life. Years ago, he promised his father he’d pursue her if she ever returned to the island unattached. The more time they spend together, the easier it is to keep that promise. But, she’s still destined to leave. How much will it cost him to spend the summer romancing Mikaela?
Will keeping his promise to romance his first love lead to another broken heart?
Here’s the summary for the book we’re featuring today, Her Nerdy Cowboy:
Whoever heard of a bookish cowboy? When Logan McDaniel’s brother-in-law dies, he steps in to help his beloved sister run her ranch. But what does a city boy know of herding cattle?
Claire Langley loved her cousin. After he dies, she agrees to serve as a temporary nanny for two heartbroken children. Claire and Logan find they share a love of books, and Claire can’t resist the nerdy uncle who is great with children and who reads to her of pirate romance, but Claire’s ailing mother needs her in Seattle. Can she break away? And if she does, can there ever be a future for Logan and her?
rem: What is YOUR favorite part about the book or why do you love this book? Why should we read it?
ANNETTE: I’m a beach lover. Between the sand and the scents and the scenery, I can’t get enough of the beach, the sea, and marine life. In my Friday Harbor novel, my hero is a whale tour guide and my heroine is a professor in marine biology. They’re the perfect pair, if only they could get free from the past and see it. Writing this book allowed me to visit, even if only in my imagination, the beach and live in perpetual summer.
rem: Tell us about why you wrote this book.
ANNETTE: Probably a decade ago now, I was visiting a Christian bookstore and looking for a four-in-one novella collection set on the Pacific Coast or the Pacific Northwest near the water. Nothing like that existed on the market at that time. But it was summer, and I wanted a beach read! Since I was an avid reader of novella collections, and an aspiring author who had a few connections with published novella writers, I teamed up with some folks to put together a beachy collection. Our project wasn’t picked up, but I came to love these characters so I kept working on the story. The novella grew into a full-length novel and readers can pre-order it August 1st for the 9/1 release this summer.
rem: Please give us the first page of the book.
ANNETTE:
Return to the stronghold,
You prisoners of hope.
Even today I declare
That I will restore double to you.
Zech. 9:12 NKJV
CHAPTER ONE
Rain drizzled over the empty parking lot at Lime Kiln Point State Park, well north of Seattle. This close to the Salish Sea, the mercury floated near fifty degrees, despite the calendar’s June date. Only one other vehicle—a scuffed pickup—sat abandoned near the trails this early. Professor Mikaela Rhoades could have the place to herself. But it wouldn’t have mattered if there were hordes of people. She’d find a spot to pray, contend for peace.
Her lungs squeezed in her chest. Did Hunter know yet?
Cold wind pitched mist at her face. She ducked under her raincoat’s hood, scooting across the parking lot, past the closed gift shop/interpretive center and orca sculpture. The scent of salty air reminded her of why she loved the water, her career path.
Was it a mistake to be here?
Oh, Lord, help. You brought me here. Please make this work.
She must remember to breathe. There were three reactions to fearful things—fight, flight, or freeze. Her reflex, almost every time, was to freeze. If she held her breath, the proverbial monster wouldn’t find her. She could hide. Evade. But always, she had to then face whatever the fearsome situation was and overcome. Otherwise, she’d never have gotten this far. Never have suggested this plan.
She’d have never come this close to a collision with her past.
I’m going to see him again. Something she’d been avoiding for over a decade.
rem: WOW! Those 239 words tell a LOT! What is one take-away from your book(s) that you hope readers identify with?
ANNETTE: I’m hoping readers will see that cooperating with God to face our pasts and letting Him heal us may be a painful journey, but we can emerge with a more healed heart. God is the God of restoration and the God of hope.
rem: So very true… Where can we find you online? (provide links)
ANNETTE:
https://www.amazon.com/Annette-M.-Irby/e/B00IQH8AOW/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
https://www.facebook.com/groups/252272708574760
https://twitter.com/AnnetteMIrby
www.AnnetteIrbyReviews.blogspot.com
www.SeriouslyWrite.blogspot.com
rem: Anything you’d like to add?
ANNETTE: Thank you for inviting the Seriously Write hostesses to visit your blog this month, and for having me today!
rem: Thank you—and your SW cohorts—so much for chatting with us at my little nest today!
“This is a season of consecration and prayer. There is a sweet invitation to enter His chambers and sit at His feet. Bring your troubles. Lay them down. Bring your questions and requests. Ask them. Nothing’s off limits. Wondering why the promises are taking so long? Ask. Wanting to see a breakthrough, bring it before Him. Enter in through worship and repentance. Delight in Him. Taste once again and see that He is good. Leave the past behind. Embrace Jesus. (2 September 2011)”
A fun interview. I was delighted to see that cover! ha ha.
thanks Debra! so glad you popped by today. i do enjoy doing interviews and getting to know my author friends better
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