Thursday, January 8, 2009

Spotlight interview with Ann Shorey


I am excited to introduce my first author interview of 2009 Ann Shorey. Ann has graciously offered a signed copy of her latest book The Edge of Light. I read this book very quickly and became totally engrossed in the story. It is a wonderful historical novel full of love and trials set in Missouri in 1838. If you would like to win a copy please leave a comment at the end of the post and be sure to answer the daily question.

Welcome Ann please tell me a little about yourself.

I live in a beautiful area of southwestern Oregon with my husband, Richard. We’re empty-nesters, but see our grown daughters frequently. I love to read, cook, work in my flower garden during the summers, and play with my dog. Since I signed my contract with Revell, there’s just not enough time in the day to do all those things and write, too. So now I have to pick and choose, although the dog doesn’t realize that spending time with her is optional, not a necessity.

Those little pooches are demanding aren't they.
Now is your turn to brag about your work. What is your novel about?

The Edge of Light is about a mother’s choices when her husband dies suddenly and she’s left with three children and another on the way. It’s 1838 and Molly McGarvie lives on the Missouri frontier. How will she keep her family together when her unscrupulous brother-in-law takes over the family business and leaves Molly to fend for herself?

Who is the most important influence in your life besides God?

My mother. She blessed me with a love of books and reading. She’s gone now, but in hindsight I can see that most of what I’ve become has been a result of her influence.

I just love this picture of you and your mother. Let’s pretend money is not a factor. If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go?

I’d go back to Australia. My husband and I spent three weeks there in 1994, but we only scratched the surface. I’d like to see it all, and be able to stay as long as necessary. Australia is a fascinating country.

That sounds delightful. I have always loved to travel.
What book are you reading now? What books are found lying around your home?

Right now I’m reading In Search of Eden, by Linda Nichols. On the top of my TBR pile is Cathy Gohlke’s I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires. I recently finished Gohlke’s William Henry is a Fine Name and loved it. Can’t wait to read Watchfires. We have bookshelves in almost every room in our house, and stacks of books on the coffee table and on our nightstands. I read general market fiction, literary fiction, mysteries, you name it. The “My Bookshelf” page on my website, http://www.annshorey.com/ , will give you more details.

I have been wanting to read Watchfires too. I am always trying to learn new ways to be organized in the office. What is your favorite organizational tool?

Oh my word! I wish I had one. I’ve seriously thought about hiring someone to come in and organize my office for me. I do keep my research information filed alphabetically, so I can go back and check details. I create a three-ring binder for each of my books. Character portraits, chapter logs, and maps and floor plans pertaining to the story are filed under labeled tabs. Otherwise, I rely on strategically placed piles of notes with headers written in red across the top. Things are pretty messy.

I love the idea of the three ring binders. I currently use accordion files.
What would you like your readers to say about your writing?

I’d like readers to say that my writing puts them in the story—that they can see, hear, and feel what the characters are experiencing.

Well, after reading The Edge of Light, I can tell you I felt like a part of the story.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not slaving over the computer creating another wonderful novel?

I enjoy taking care of my husband and my home. Baking and cooking are fun activities, as is visiting with friends. And of course, curling up with a good book.

What is your favorite verse from the Bible?

Isaiah 41:13. “For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, ‘Do not fear; I will help you.’” This verse has seen me through some hard times. I’ve even closed my eyes and held my right hand out, so God could take it in His.

Ann that is a wonderful verse. It is so wonderful to know He is always with us.
What advice do you have for aspiring authors?

Don’t quit. It took me dozens of rejections before I received my first contract. Use all the feedback you get to improve your craft, but don’t get hung up on rewriting the same book forever. Start something new and use what you’ve learned. Most of all, remember the timing is in God’s hands, not yours.
If you would like to win a copy please leave your name and an email addy in disguise (writebyfaith[at]writingland[dot]com) and answer the daily question.
Daily question: If you could live during any other time period than the present what period would you want to live in? I would love to live during the Regency era. Of course I would want to be part of the Aristocracy and wear lovely gowns and go to balls. I have always loved that time period. I think it is my love of fairy tales that appeals to that era.
*2 extra entries -subscribe to Write by Faith through email (let me know if you already do)
*3 extra entries-post a link to this post on your own blog (leave the link in the comment sections
*2 extra entries be a follower of this blog
I will pick a winner January 16th. Contest open only Canadian and United States and no P.O boxes please.

36 comments:

Deborah said...

ahh please enter me! i've been dying to read this one! i think i'd love to live in the regency era too. but only if all the jane austen novels actualy existed and i could hang out with the bennetts or the dashwoods.

Jo said...

I would love to get entered in the drawing to win this book as it sounds fantastic. The period in time that I would have loved to live if given the choice would be colonial times. There is something about that period that fascinates me.

Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Isaiah 41:13. “For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, ‘Do not fear; I will help you.’”

I love this scripture.....it means everything to me and thank-you for sharing it Ms. Shorey; I will walk with this one memorized for myself and all that I come upon who need this assurance.

Please sign me up as I love historical fiction.

Blessings;
Gayla
gayla.c@bresnan.net

Andi said...

Please enter me in this drawing! This book sounds really great!
If I could live in any other time period than now, it would have to be the 50's with the poodle skirts, and saddle shoes. My Mom and Dad grew up in that time period and I have lots of pictures of them from that time. The music was so fun, and my Dad's car was so cool!

Patty said...

This book sounds wonderful. I would love to win it. I am now a follower of the blog and have subscribed to your newsletter. Hopefully that will help my chances.

Patty
pleblanc_1[at]charter[dot]net

Hoarders Extraordinaire said...

This book sounds like a good read. Please sign me up for a chance to win it. If I could live in another time period it would probably be in the 1920's-1940's (minus wars :) I love the clothes of that period and I've always thought that writing-wise there was so much going on during that period. So many strong writers that we consider classics today.

Of course I'd probably still be living here in the middle of nowhere and wouldn't actually meet any of them...but oh well ;)

Martha A. said...

That is a hard pick! I think i would be frustrated in the regecy period actually although, i love the books, i think instead 1940's-50's is the period i would pick. i don't know why! i love the clothes, the books from that era and how proper everyone still was and it was not that long ago!
i am already a subscriber to your blog.... and would love to win!
martha(at)lclink(dot)com

Mimi N said...

Tough question to answer. I'd love to live in the 1800's as long as I lived in at least the middle class no matter where I was. Back then it would've been so hard to be poor.

Please enter me to win Ann's book. *I have added an extra part to your link on my blog about Ann's book specifically.
*I already subscribe to your blog.
*I became a follower of your blog.

Blessings,
Mimi B

mnjesusfreak at gmail dot com
wovenbywords dot blogspot dot com

Sandee61 said...

I also would have loved to live in the 1800's. I love historical fiction and would love to read your book. I really enjoyed the interview. Please sign me up for the giveaway too. Thank you!

Blessings.
Sandy

Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com

Anonymous said...

I'm acquainted with Ann and can't wait to get my hands on her new book! She told us about it last fall, so we've waited all year for its publication date. Hooray!

I'd love to live in the 1800s as well; have read lots of historical fiction and watched tons of movies from that era. Always interesting to me to see how they lived compared to how we live today.

I wrote a blog posting about Ann's new book and also posted your link to encourage people to visit your blog and post comments here to possibly win Ann's books. Here's the link:

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/iLoveHomeschooling/643597/

I'd love to win this book...after I read it, I'm planning to donate it to my church's library (Ann's church as well). Thank you for sharing Ann's interview with us all!

Oh, and I've also signed up for your book reviews. Thanks!

Julieanne
ejm at truevine dot net

Sherrie Ashcraft said...

Thanks for the great interview with Ann. She's a friend of mine, though I only get to see her at writer's conferences. I've been so happy to follow her journey and am really looking forward to reading her book. I'm just sure I'm going to love it!

I've always thought I'd like to live during the western migration, when all the wagon trains were making their way across so people could have a fresh start. I've loved reading about that time ever since I was a child. I'm sure I wouldn't have been brave enough to endure all they went through, but it has always fascinated me.

I just subscribed to "Writing by Faith" and also signed to follow your blog. I'll let you know when I put a link to it up on my blog, but at least I'm started toward extra entries!

Sherrie Ashcraft said...

Oops, I forgot to leave my address! It's sherrieashcraft(at)yahoo(dot)com.

kalea_kane said...

I was born on the tale end of the 60s, and I would love to actually go back to that time. There was so much growth and change and the music! Ahhhhhh. :)

Thank you for the chance, Donna!

Kelly

kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

kalea_kane said...

I am also a follower. :) I love this place!

kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

Kelly

kalea_kane said...

I have been a subscriber for a while too! :)

Thank you so much, Donna!

Kelly

kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

Alyce said...

I think if I had to pick another time period in which to live it would be Rome during the renaissance.

akreese (at) hotmail (dot) com

Ann Shorey said...

I've enjoyed reading everyone's choices as to time periods in which to live. The more I learn about long-ago times, the more I'm grateful to live right now. I love the lifestyles of the wealthy, especially in 19th Century England, but if you weren't wealthy life was rough. It's fascinating to read about other historical periods just to learn about "how" the women had to deal with their challenges.

Great question, Donna. I look forward to knowing who the winner of my book turns out to be.

annshorey at msn dot com

darbyscloset said...

I'm a subscriber.
Thanks,
Darby
darbyscloset at yahoo dot com

darbyscloset said...

I am an email follower or I joined your email group, whatever you call it...
Thanks!!
Darby
darbyscloset at yahoo dot com

darbyscloset said...

I would of liked to of lived during the Egyptian time period when they wore all the jewels and made the statues. Yet I have to say as I pondered this question, I think the time frame we live in now even with all the turmoil is the one I'd really pick!
Thanks so much for the giveaway,
Darby
darbyscloset at yahoo dot com

kalea_kane said...

Oh...I totally forgot to mention that I posted about your giveaway here:
http://enroutetolife.blogspot.com/2009/01/slipping-in-some-giveaways.html

Thank you again!

kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

whoops! i thought i had entered!
here's my address!
rebornbutterfly (at) sbcglobal (dot) net

Anonymous said...

I would love to win too! How fun. I would love to have been in the Roaring 20's. I find it a fascinating time, love the clothes, dances, period but don't really find fiction representing it. Thanks for sharing the verse too, made me tear up with gratefulness. I will sign up for your blog today!

Thanks, Christa
christasterken(at)att (dot) net

Edgy Inspirational Author said...

Please enter me. I checked and don't have this book listed as coming to me to review.

LORRAINE said...

I WOULD LOVE TO WIN THIS BOOK. I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO LIVE NEXT DOOR TO RHETT BUTLER, WHATEVER PERIOD THAT WAS.
LORRAINE

Anita Yancey said...

I think I would like to live in the old west during the 1800's. I have a thing about cowboys. I just subscribed. Thanks for having this giveaway.
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Carole said...

First of all, I subscribe to Write by Faith by e-mail and I faithfully follow your blog, Donna.

I had never been a fan of history until my 11th-grade American History class. I had an excellent teacher who made our early years come alive, so I would like to have experienced the American Revolution years in Boston . . . the Boston Tea Party, Paul Revere, the Old North Church, Lexington-Concord, etc.

I would also like to say to Ann that my mother had a similar influence on my life also.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

Book Lover Lisa said...

This book looks great. Please enter me.

I think I would like to live at the turn of the twentieth century, think Anne of Green Gables. When cars and electricity were availabe, but optional. Still great women's clothing, but nothing that would malform or cause fainting. Still horses and carriages.

I already subsribe, and just became a follower.

lisalouhoo[at]msn[dot]com

Cheryl said...

I would want to live back in the late 1800's when there were no cars and everyone had to get around by horse and buggy. I would love to win a copy of this book. Please enter me. My email address is shryackmom[@]charter[.]net

Anonymous said...

I'd like to live in the Elizabethan Era.
digicat{AT}sbcglobal{DOT}net

Anonymous said...

I follow you
digicat{AT}sbcglobal{DOT}net

Anonymous said...

This books sounds wonderful.

I've always felt, I should have lived in a different time period.

I think I would have loved to lived during the Victorian era!

Please enter me in the contest.

Thank you,

Becky C.

rec(at)hiwaay(dot)net

KR said...

I'd love to live in the South during the Civil War period.

KR said...

I follow.

Ann Shorey said...

Great comments. I appreciated Carole mentioning that her mother had a big influence in her life, too.

I look forward to hearing how the winner of the book likes the story!

www dot annshorey dot com

Anonymous said...

I would like to live in England during the Eliabethian Era.
kim

deblois32{at}yahoo{dot}com