BLOGWORDS – Thursday 31 January 2019 – CHAT THURSDAY – AUTHOR INTERVIEW – KARI TRUMBO and GIVEAWAY
CHAT THURSDAY – AUTHOR INTERVIEW – KARI TRUMBO and GIVEAWAY
“Swoony heroes and heartfelt romance”
“It is my goal to enrich the life of my reader. To reach into their eternity, grab them by the hand, and give them something to hold onto that is solid and sure.”
I am pleased to welcome Kari Trumbo to my little nest.
FAST FAVES
Call or Text – Text
Facebook or Twitter – Facebook
Paperback or Kindle – Paperback
rem: Hullo, Kari. Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
KARI: I was raised roughly 80 yards from where I live now. I live in my grandparents old farmhouse that we renovated. It’s in central Minnesota.
rem: Talk about family heritage and history! How wonderful! Tell us three random things about yourself no one knows.
KARI: It’s hard after being an author for a few years and getting asked this question to think of things no one knows, but I’ll try. I took French for six years (and most of it has slipped away). I love people once I know them and have a heart for helping people, but I am painfully shy. Lastly, I really don’t like cooking anymore.
rem: I’m pretty transparent, so that’s a tough one for me, too. (I still enjoy cooking, but it’s just me, so meh… ) What is your favourite quotation and why?
KARI: I don’t know that I have a favorite, but this is one of the quotes I love: You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late. Ralph Waldo Emerson
rem: Or when a person just needs a “random act of kindness.” Kindness is never lost. What’s the most random thing in your bag or on your desk?
KARI: I keep an ultra-bright flashlight in my purse. You never know when you might need it.
rem: That’s just plain smart. If you could go back in time, what era would you choose and why?
KARI: Most likely sometime between 1880 and 1910, it’s the time I feel most comfortable in (besides my own).
rem: Do you have a favorite Bible verse? And why is it a favorite?
KARI: Romans 8:38-39 It reminds me that no matter what, the Lord is always bigger.
rem: Yes, He surely is—I see it in my life every day. If you could spend an evening with a fictional character, who would it be and why?
KARI: Hmm, tough question. I don’t know that any fictional character has ever gotten to me enough to make me want to meet them. It’s rare that I meet a character that sticks with me long after I close the book.
rem: What do you think is significant about Christian fiction? How has being a novelist impacted your relationship with Christ?
KARI: I think it is important to offer readers a place where they can read and not worry about the content. It’s important also to meet challenges while reading and let the Holy Spirit work. I firmly believe the Lord can work through fiction to meet the needs of both believers and non-believers.
Writing has impacted me in that I now dig deeper into my studies. If I’m going to put a concept in my book, it had better not come from me. If it does, then it isn’t spirit led.
rem: So true, anything that urges us to study His Word is going to lead us to growth. When reading, what makes or breaks a story for you? Your fiction pet peeve?
KARI: I can’t stand it when fictional characters are too saccharine. I want to feel like they are relatable.
rem: And saccharine people just aren’t real. What are you reading right now?
KARI: I’m doing a reading challenge of 100 books this year, so by the time this is posted, I’ll probably have moved on, but I’m currently reading Moby Dick and Writing from the Trenches.
rem: Holy OY! That’s a lotta books! Good on you, Kari! On your website, you mention Black Hills. What caught your attention, and what do you love most about the area?
KARI: I’m not sure how to answer that. The Black Hills was were my husband and I took our honeymoon. My husband is from SD, so it feels like home there. I love the people, the scenery, the history. Everything.
rem: Tell us a little bit about Wild Deadwood Reads.
KARI: WDR is a reader event held in June of every year. It is a 4-day semi-conference where readers can go to various events with authors, including a huge book signing, bus tour, and rodeo. It’s a lot of fun and a great place to connect with readers.
rem: Sounds like a real blast! You write Historical Western Romance. Tell us what you love most about this genre.
KARI: I write both historical and contemporary Christian romance. I love that I can make a story the way I want, I can make it a sweet, fluffy, pass-the-time story, or I can make it deep and soul-stirring.
rem: You make a great point in (an older) blog post, I Used to Think I Could Do It All. So many people seem to feel this way. How did you learn to let go of the concept?
KARI: That was a hard lesson learned. It took getting critiques from other authors (and allowing them to be real with me) and a few emails from readers, plus reviews. Not to mention my own time constraints. My time is money. My talent—what I’m best at—is writing. If I spend my time editing, making covers, formatting, etc then I’m taking time away from what God has called me to do. Yes, it costs money to let those things go, but the money also comes in faster when you do (allowing for other people to use their talents). At least, it did for me.
rem: Talk about a profound truth! I think too many people try to do it all. I know I used to.
Tell us a little about your writing journey.
KARI: I had been editing for a few years and had helped quite a few of my friends get published. I had stories in my head, but didn’t think I was good enough. I sat down at the start of one October and wrote a whole book in the span of a month, then told a friend about it. She encouraged me to keep going and to join a group call NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). I figured if I could do one book in one month, there was no reason I couldn’t do two in two months. That second book became the first book I ever published. It did take almost 30 rewrites though.
rem: What is your Writing Routine? Where do you write: In a cave, a coffeehouse, or a cozy nook?
KARI: A small corner of my bedroom is my office and I spend roughly 9 hours a day, 6 days a week sitting here either writing or working in some way. I have scheduled blocks of time throughout my day that help me boost my productivity and still spend time with my family.
rem: I probably spend that in my “nest,” a corner of my living room, with most of what I need within reach. What makes you struggle as an author? How do you handle it?
KARI: Honestly, the only thing I struggle with is the marketing side because I am an independent author. It isn’t easy to stay on top of trends and starting and stopping ads, engaging on various social media outlets, and being available is probably the most difficult part of the job for me, but still infinitely better than any other job I’ve had.
rem: Totally agree with ya on that! What do you enjoy most about being a writer?
KARI: I love it when one of my books touches someone. When I get an email or see a review where something I write touched someone emotionally, that just makes my world.
rem: Same here, Kari. Especially when it’s a spiritual truth. What was the hardest thing about publishing? The easiest?
KARI: Hardest: Letting go of the preconceived notions I had about publishing. Easiest: spending money (I’m only sort of kidding).
rem: LOL What are your top 3 recommendations for a new writer? What 3 things would recommend not doing?
KARI: 1. Find a critique partner. 2. Do not publish without a paid editor. 3. Do not underestimate the power of a good cover.
rem: Can’t disagree with those. How do you choose your characters’ names?
KARI: Many times they name themselves. I’m a pantser, so the characters tell their story as if I’m watching a movie in my head. I do sometimes choose and in those cases I use historical journals to pick names from the period.
rem: We think alike, Kari! Do you think of the entire story before you start writing?
KARI: No, not at all. I know the names of the two characters and I know what they look like in my head. I know bits and pieces about them sometimes, but not always, and I know that eventually they will end up together. I love that about romance.
rem: Tell us a little about your latest book? What is your current project?
KARI: I just finished the first draft on Saved by Grace, book 4 in the Brothers of Belle Fourche series. That series has been so popular that I had people email and beg for more. I couldn’t just ignore that. This is the story of Anne’s brother, Cody, and introduces readers to a whole new crop of Oleson brothers.
rem: How awesome is that!! Reader requested! What is YOUR favorite part about the book or why do you love this book? Why should we read it?
KARI: I love this book because it’s about redemption/restoration. Those are my favorite stories, when people get a second chance at life because they realize a mistake they made or they forge a new path.
rem: Restoration is actually my word for 2019! Tell us about why you wrote this book.
KARI: I wrote this book because readers asked for it. I generally start with knowing I need to write “this” book for “this” series and not much else. This is the first reader-driven story I’ve ever written. I hope readers love it.
rem: Please give us the first page of the book.
KARI:
Belle Fourche, South Dakota, 1902
He’d seen her kind before. Cody Hammond balanced on his chair, an allowance the bank made just for him, as the petite woman hesitated at the large front doors. She wasn’t local, didn’t know immediately where to go, and she searched for friendly faces. Her gaze landed on him briefly, flitted along, then swung back. He leaned further over his counter, ducking his head to hide his eyes, glad of the bars that blocked him from getting too close to anyone.
“Excuse me?” A soft voice with just a hint of an accent spoke just over his head.
If he’d been standing, she wouldn’t be over him. She wouldn’t look down at him. He sighed and laid down his pen then gave her his attention. Chivalry had been ingrained in him, both from his father and from the English Army. “Yes, miss?” For she did look like a miss with her golden hair in two braids down the sides of her head and a lavender dress.
“I,” she paused and glanced quickly at the other two men down the counter, then lowered her voice, “didn’t know where to ask and we couldn’t find the post office. Can you tell me where to find the Oleson place? It’s rather urgent.” Her wide green-gold eyes searched him and he squared his shoulders, preparing to send her on her way. Most people didn’t feel comfortable right off talking to him, as if his infirmity was somehow contagious. That she would even talk to him when two other men stood at identical stations was a mystery, and he hated mysteries.
rem: Very nice! What is one take-away from your book(s) that you hope readers identify with?
KARI: My books all have 2 threads: redemption/renewal and forgiveness. It may be subtle, but those are the things that make up who I am as a writer, so my readers connect with that.
rem: Sometimes subtle is best. Where can we find you online?
KARI:
www.KariTrumbo.com (get a free book for signing up for my newsletter)
www.facebook.com/KariTrumboAuthor?
www.bookbub.com/authors/kari-trumbo
https://www.amazon.com/Kari-Trumbo/e/B015IJOLN4/
rem: Thank you so much for chatting with us at my little nest today!
KARI: Thank you for having me!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I am an author of Christian Historical Romance novels. My first series, Western Vows is comprised of a prequel Forsaking All Others, then To Honor and Cherish, For Richer or Poorer, and To Love and Comfort. The settings are Kansas and northern Minnesota/Canadian border. If you are a lover of historical romance, especially clean historical romance, please follow my newsletter to be updated on what’s coming!
Kari Trumbo is one of four authors in the best-selling Cutter’s Creek series. She writes Christian Historical Romance and is a stay-at-home mom to four vibrant children. When she isn’t writing, or editing, she home schools her children and pretends to keep up with them. Kari loves reading, listening to contemporary Christian music, singing when no one’s listening, and curling up near the wood stove when winter hits. She makes her home in central Minnesota with her husband of almost twenty years, two daughters, two sons, three cats, and one hungry wood stove.
https://www.facebook.com/KariTrumboAuthor/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14431903.Kari_Trumbo
GIVEAWAY
Kari is offering a free e-copy of the first three books in her Brothers of Belle Fourche Series.
Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
Giveaway will begin at midnight on Thursday 30 January and end at 11:59 on Thursday 7 February. Giveaway is subject to the policies found on Robin’s Nest.
RAFFLECOPTER
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b485f64b2/?
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
#Blogwords, Chat Thursday, Author Interview, Kari Trumbo
Reblogged this on Author Kari Trumbo and commented:
I’m joining Robin today and sharing a giveaway. Head on over and read the first page of Saved by Grace!
Hullo, Kari!! so glad to have you on my blog today!!!