Author Interview: Hope Ann

As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, this is a fun interview of an author offering one of her books. If you want to enter the giveaway, please go to the post linked to here. And now let's meet Hope Ann!

Good morning and welcome to the Bookish Orchestrations blog! I’m excited to have you here and hope you have some fun with these questions. Since this blog is about and for writers, most of the questions will be about writing with a few optional, fun questions at the end.

1. What is your writing process? Do you outline before you start?

Oh yes, I always outline. Well, almost always. I tried to write without an outline once, and the story dissolved after a few chapters. I even had to outline the serial story I’m working on after a few instalments, because I couldn’t stand not having a goal I was aiming towards.

Generally, after coming up with an idea, I start developing characters and writing up a basic outline. From there, I write a short chapter by chapter outline before I settle down to writing the book itself.

2. How do you develop your characters? Do you use images found online, a Pinterest board, character sketches, or develop them as you write?

Pictures from Pinterest help me develop my characters quite a bit. There’s just something about seeing them which helps me form them better. Most characters come to be with particular traits already, and others reveal themselves as I write. I do have questionnaires I sometimes fill out for characters, but then I generally forget about them and let the character act as he or she pleases.

3. What is your best advice for getting rid of writer’s block?

Find an empty place to mutter to yourself and pace. That’s generally what I resort to. I sometimes shift to other characters in my book (such as the villain or a servant) and picture the story through their eyes to try to figure out how a plot hole would logically be filled if I were there. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. But eventually, in the end, I know I’ll always figure it out if I don’t give up.

4. If you could share one piece of advice that you wish someone else had told

you to an aspiring writer, what would it be?

Don’t give up. Writing is exhilarating. It is also exhausting. But it is so worth it. It just takes lots of patience and dogged determined work. Don’t be afraid to share your work with others to get feedback. Beta readers have so many insights on our work that we miss. Speaking for myself, I know I’d never have gotten to where I was without the help of a number of friends. 

5. What is your favorite genre?

Fantasy, hands down. I love fantasy. There is so much freedom to create and shape however you want. The allegorical aspect and depth one can delve into while writing fantasy is so exciting as well. A close second is futuristic fiction, which really isn’t all that different from fantasy.

Pizza or Pasta?

Pizza! How is that even a question?

Favorite movie?

There are too many to pick from. It generally depends on what I’ve seen last. Lord of the Rings, National Treasure, Princess Bride, Inkheart, Narnia, the list could go on and on.

Favorite Bible verse?

Psalm 33:9-10

For He spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.

The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: He maketh the devices of the people to none effect.

Coffee, tea, or water?

Water. Pink lemonade. Hot chocolate.

Review: Garden of Her Heart

USA Today Bestselling Author Shanna Hatfield joins us with her latest release, a sweet World War II romance. I'm also including the review I wrote of her book and an excerpt!

Can forbidden love blossom amid the constraints of war?

The moment the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, life shifted for Miko Nishimura. Desperate to reach the Portland Assembly Center for Japanese-Americans, she’s kicked off the bus miles from town. Every tick of the clock pushes her closer to becoming a fugitive in the land of her birth. Exhausted, she stumbles to her grandparents’ abandoned farm only to find a dying soldier sprawled across the step. Unable to leave him, she forsakes all else to keep him alive.

After crashing his plane in the Battle of the Atlantic, the doctors condemn Captain Rock Laroux to die. Determined to meet his maker beneath a blue sky at his family home, he sneaks out of the hospital. Weary and half out of his mind, he makes it as far as a produce stand he remembers from his youth. Rather than surrender to death, Rock fights a battle of the heart as he falls in love with the beautiful Japanese woman who saves his life.

A poignant, sweet romance, Garden of Her Heart proves love can bloom in unlikely places even under the most challenging circumstances.

Giveaway!

Introduction

Who's ready for some free books?

Maybe you just happen to be looking for another book to read this winter. Perhaps you have a sister who really loves fantasy or historical fiction. It might even be that you've never read a book in your life and would like to try one to see what it's like... who knows? Whatever your situation, you'll be happy to know that I and some author friends of mine are giving away seven free eBooks this Christmas, and you have a chance of winning one of them.

Rules

If you want to win one of these lovely thingies, choose one of the entry options and follow the instructions to gain a point. (Hint: you can enter with as many options as you like to increase your chances of winning.) The giveaway starts December 3rd [blogger note: liable to change] and ends on the 20^th, so you'll have plenty of time to enter. We'll pick eight winners at random and contact them before Christmas so you can have your ebook delivered whenever you like.

Conbobulations! Er, I mean, Congratulations!

The tour is over, the rafflecopter is done, the winners have been picked. So, without further ado, let's congratulate the winners!

The winner of the audiobook and notebook is...

Kellyn R.!

The winner of the necklace is...

Linda M.

The winner of the eBook box set is...

Amanda T.

Congratulations to you all! You will be receiving an email from me shortly. If you didn't win, but you would still like to get the eBook box set, it is on sale for $3.99 until Friday!

Candid Answers to Candid Questions

Good morning, Bookish Orchestration People! I hope you all had a blessed Thanksgiving! Last week, I asked for some candid questions and I got a LOT. So I posted them all, with their answers, here for you today.  Enjoy!

Kate W.

What is the craziest name you've given a character?

Darius Gardner. I don’t know what possessed me to name a character after a Persian king, but I did it. And he grew into the role. Even if he was only a minor character and a farmer at that. He’s in my book, Be Thou My Vision, in case you’re wondering.

Bethany W.

What gave you the rather unusual idea for the ‘Hymns of the West’ series?

A simple question from a beta-reader, “What’s the next book about?” At that point, I only had one book on my mind, A Mighty Fortress. I didn’t even have any ideas for another book, let alone making this one into a series. I tried not to think about it too much, but the wheels kept on a-churnin’ and an idea flitted through my mind for a book about Joshua becoming a Pinkerton Detective. That idea ended up being book 5 because I came up with a few other ideas.

As for the title of the series, that was easy to figure out once I had the final title for A Mighty Fortress and decided to put the hymn Be Thou My Vision in the second book.

Do you have any new books in the work-in-progress stage?

It's a Birthday!

*does a happy dance* Today is the third birthday of my very first published book! To celebrate, I'm having a lot of fun going on. This afternoon, there is a Facebook Party. From today through November 30th (excluding Sundays and Thanksgiving), there will be multiple and various posts about my first book, my new book, my upcoming audiobook, a super fun giveaway, and much, much more. Check out the tour schedule at the end of the post and be sure to come to the Facebook party.

About My First Book

“Stay back!” Joshua ordered.  He kept his eyes on the scene below while waving his arm in Ruth's direction.  “Get deeper into the woods and stay down low to the ground.”

Joshua hazarded a glance behind him.  He could no longer see Ruth and breathed a sigh of relief.  In one swift move, he grabbed his rifle and lay flat to the ground.  Extending the rifle, he aimed at the shorter man whose gun was pointed at Bradshaw. 

Courage and Corruption

About the Book

Catherine is going with her mother and younger siblings to the mountains to hide from the coming war. While she fears what might happen she is looking forward to some time away from her twin brother, with whom she often fights. One foolish act changes all their plans, and one story caused not only confusion, but more fighting.

Christopher does not believe his father’s story that they are descended from royalty. He is sure the story his father tells cannot be true. However, he is forced to go to the mountain castle of Coraway along with his mother and siblings. Will his father ever see him as a man? Will he and his twin ever be able to stop fighting?

Little do Catherine and Christopher realize that they hold the key to Taelis’ future in their hands. While they discover the truth before it is too late?

Find it on Goodreads

Meet Thomas

My friend, Morgan Huneke is releasing a new book! This week, I have the privilege of sharing two posts with you. Earlier this week, I did an author interview with Morgan. Today, I have a character spotlight  of Thomas. To find more posts about the book, check out the schedule here.

About the Book

God, please look after Adriel. Keep him safe and keep him from acting foolish. And please help him to be able to find me.

Rae knew she could trust God to look after both of them. It was all she had now.

Crannig Castle: Author Interview

My friend, Morgan Huneke is releasing a new book! This week, I have the privilege of sharing two posts with you. This one has an author interview, tells you about the book, and shares the giveaway. On Saturday, I'll have a character spotlight as well. To find more posts about the book, check out the schedule here.

About the Book

God, please look after Adriel. Keep him safe and keep him from acting foolish. And please help him to be able to find me.

Rae knew she could trust God to look after both of them. It was all she had now.

Aboard Providence by Keely Keith

Keely Keith is here today to talk about her new book and her writing. Enjoy!

About the Book

In November 1860, Jonah Ashton boarded the Providence with a plan to escort his family to their new settlement in South America and then return to medical school in Pennsylvania before rumors of Southern rebellion erupt into all-out war. What he didn’t count on was getting lost at sea… and Marian Foster. When they finally reach land, Jonah makes a startling discovery that changes everything, but will it change his heart?

Watch the book trailer here.

Buy Links:

CrossRiver Media

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Or order through your favorite local bookstore!

It's a Silver Birthday!

Hello and welcome to The Sound of Silver birthday blog tour! I’m posting today about Rachelle Rea Cobb’s second installment in the Steadfast Love series, an inspirational historical romance set during the 16th century!

Rachelle is also the author of The Sound of Diamonds, the first book in the series, and a newlywed! This summer, she married a man with the same first name as the hero of the series! I’m joining in this blog tour to tell you a little more about Silver and spread the news about the rocking giveaway Rachelle is hosting—make sure yo
u enter using the Rafflecopter form to win the lovely necklace pictured and your choice of any of the Steadfast Love titles!

ABOUT The Steadfast Love SERIES

In 16th-century Europe, the Reformation rages between Protestants and Catholics. Gwyneth, half-Dutch, flees from England to Holland to escape the man who murdered her parents. When he follows her there and insists he came to rescue her, will she trust this man called Dirk? When tragedy strikes, will their steadfast love erode?

Giveaway and Sale

Kindle Giveaway and E book Sale 

Brought to you by CIAN and the CIA Christian Women's Writers Club
 

Don't have a Kindle?  Then enter to win a shiny new Kindle from the good folks at CIAN and CWW. Entering is simple. You'll find the link to contest below.  We've got some great books on sale and if you want to learn more about these groups you can do that also at the CIAN website link below.

Click here to find the Rafflecopter to enter to win the Kindle and to see the great books we have on sale!!!

Reversal Zone Giveaway

Grace has a winner!  There were a good number of entries, but there can only be three winners. So here they are!

The winner of Radialloy is...

Mikayla H.

The winner of In His Image is...

Meredith M.

The winner of Machiavellian is...

Leah G.

If Everything were Reversed

J. Grace Pennington has published four science fiction novels. They each have a unique bent to them, but this one is very different. Each book is a standalone, but as with any series, you get more of the story if you read them all in order. In Reversal Zone, the main character, Andi Lloyd, becomes the only one who can save the ship and crew. Can she do it in time?

About the Book

Nothing is as it should be.

After weeks of boredom, Andi is excited when the Surveyor is called upon to rescue a freighter that mysteriously vanished in uncharted space.  Excitement quickly turns to unease when the ship encounters an unknown phenomenon—a cloud that appears not to exist.  But with the freighter's crew in danger, the Surveyor has no choice but to venture into unknown territory.

As soon as they enter the cloud, its unstable effects wreak havoc on the ship.  They're flying blind.  Every piece of equipment is malfunctioning.  And every member of the crew is unable to think straight or act like themselves—except Andi.

Now she's expected to guide them through the predicament with no previous command experience and no one to turn to for support.  And with each passing hour, it becomes clear that if they don't escape the cloud soon—they won't escape it at all.

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZV1ILB

Emma's winner!

Thank you all for a great tour! It was fun to see all the different posts! And now, we have a winner, so without further ado...

Congratulations to...

Patti H.!

I will send your email address to Franky so she can get your mailing address. Congratulations again!

What if...?

What if Belle's father was the beast? What if something happened in the past to make Belle run away? What if Belle becomes a Christian and decides to return, but her father refuses to see her? My good friend, Amanda Tero, explores these what ifs in her new book, Befriending the Beast.

About the Book

Belle has returned unannounced to the castle to restore her relationship with the king, her father. Her hopes are dashed with the devastating message: "The king refuses to see you." Convinced that God has led her home, she is unwilling to return to Lord and Lady Kiralyn.

Time is running out for the decision that will change her life. When tragedy strikes, will she and her father be pulled further apart or knit together? Could she stay at the castle even if she will never see her father again?

Watch the book trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HK_COEi2Ntg

You can buy a copy here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01L2IDEUQ
(order before October 8, 2016, to get it at the discounted price of $.99!)

Emma's Match

Franky A. Brown started writing her Jane Austen retellings in May 2015. She started with Pride and Butterflies, then None But You. Now she's published Emma's Match a retelling of Emma by Jane Austen. In Franky's retelling, Emma is a designer who's business is struggling, but she's never failed at anything and she doesn't plan to fail here either. Can she walk the line between friendship and love or will she lose the only man she has ever loved?

About the Book

Emma Wallace has a plan up her sleeve to save her struggling design business, but not a clue what do to about the man who has her heart. 

Stealing a kiss from Will Knight years ago ended in an embarrassment she didn’t want to repeat. But when a popular new designer in town starts taking her clients and has eyes on Will, too, Emma decides it’s time to fight for what she wants. The perfectly irritating designer she wants to shove into a hole isn’t the only one who can be down-to-earth and likeable. After all, Emma’s never failed at anything...except walking the line between friendship and love. Crossing it again could mean losing Will’s friendship for good.

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IJL1XK2/

About the Author

Franky A. Brown has always called the South home and loves to write about it. She holds an English degree from the University of South Carolina and can’t seem to stop reading. She is the author of women’s fiction and chick lit about life, love, and Southern women.   

Excerpt/Interview/Guest Post

Giveaway

Franky has generously offered a paperback of Emma’s Match! Use the Rafflecopter to enter. The giveaway will be closed at midnight on October 5th and the winner will be announced around 6AM on the Bookish Orchestration blog on October 6th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule

Saturday, October 1

Bookish Orchestrations-Tour Introduction

Rachel Rossano's Words- Excerpt and Character Interview

Perpetual Gardener, Writer, and Mormon-Excerpt

Sunday, October 2

Melanie D. Snitker, Author- Excerpt

Author Franky A Brown-Excerpt

Monday, October 3

Crystal Walton- Excerpt and Book Review

Laurel's Leaves-Guest Post

Tuesday, October 4

Ramblings- Guest Post

OnceUpon an Ordinary-Author Interview

Wednesday, October 5

Rachel John Reviews- Book Review

Thursday, October 6

Bookish Orchestrations-Giveaway Winner