We're Back -- With A New Author Interview!

Deb Ullrick: 

From Colorado Ranches to Writing Romance!

I have known Deb for many years and it's a pleasure to feature her on my blog Everything Writerly. If you're not familiar with Deb and her books, here's a brief bio:

Debra Ullrick is an award-winning Christian romance author. In addition to multiple full-length novels, her stories have been featured in several novella collections, one of which made the New York Times bestseller’s list. Debra is happily married to her husband of thirty-seven years and has one daughter. For over twenty-five years, they lived and worked on cattle ranches in the Colorado Mountains. She now lives in the Colorado flatlands. Debra loves animals, classic cars, mud-bog racing, and monster trucks. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, drawing western art, feeding wild birds, and watching Jane Austen movies, COPS, or Castle.

Deb's latest book is Groom Wanted and here's a blurb:

It's a perfect plan-best friends Leah Bowen and Jake Lure will each advertise for mail-order spouses in the papers, and then Jake will help select Leah's future husband, while Leah picks Jake's bride-to-be! Surely the ads will find them what they seek: a wife who'll appreciate Jake's shy charm and a groom who'll take Leah away from the Idaho Territory she detests. When the responses to the postings pour in, it seems all Leah's and Jake's dreams will soon come true. But the closer they each get to the altar, the less appealing marrying a stranger becomes. Is it too late to turn back-or to turn around and find the happiness they truly seek together, at last? 

And now for the interview!

1. What is your general purpose as an author?

More than anything, I want to minister to people. When I first started reading Christian fiction books, I remember how many times a certain story ministered to me in such a special, uplifting way. After that, I wanted to be a blessing to people like that too.

2.  What message do you hope to convey to readers, either in this latest book or in all your books?

In Groom Wanted the message I hope to portray is how many times we look for something or someone else when what we already have or need is right in front of us. And that we can’t run away from our problems because no matter where we go, they will be there unless we face them and allow God to touch and heal us everywhere we hurt.   

3. Is or was there a person in your life who made a remarkable difference in your writing? Who and why?

Oh yes! Staci Stallings, an amazingly gifted author and my dearest friend. This woman has spent endless hours mentoring me and teaching me with the utmost patience. And she’s never once criticized me or made me feel small when I didn’t understand something. She edits all my books and adds to the quality of them with her poetic words and input. Staci, along with the Lord of course, is the reason why I’m published today.

4. How do you deal with rejection letters or an irate reader?

I’ve only had one rejection so far. Thank You, Jesus! hehe *smiling* It was when I first started writing. So many people in the ACFW (ACRW at the time) encouraged me to not give up and gently informed me that rejection was part of the publication process. I took their advice and used it as a learning experience. As for irate readers… I haven’t encountered any. A few negative reviews, yes. But those I handled by realizing it is all subjective. Not everyone is going to like my stories. I do, however, take into account why they didn’t like a story to see if I can improve next time.

5. What’s next for you as an author? Any books in the hopper?

The Rancher’s Sweetheart a Love Inspired Historical, winter-themed novella, will be coming out early 2013. It will be a two-books-in-one collection with Cheryl St. John. Plus, I’m working on another 3-book proposal.

6. What genre do you write in?

I write both contemporary and historical romance. Lately, I’ve been writing more historical novels but hope to write a few contemporary ones real soon.

7. What is your greatest challenge in your writing?

Trying not to get bogged down with that editor in my head. I so want to please my editors that sometimes I hear their editing voice, along with my own, talking to me while I’m writing. It really stifles my creativity, so I’m learning to just write my story and then go back and let those editor voices talk to me.

*     *     *

Thank you, Deb, for being my guest today. The interview will run Thurs to Sun. I wish you God's best on your career! 

Readers can connect with Deb, by logging onto her website: http://www.debraullrick.com/

Happy Friday, everyone! As you can see from my record of posts, that I've been sorely neglecting my blog. I'm striving to make a July 1st deadline. I'm writing book 3 in my Fabric of Time series. I'm really into the story, so the story is flying off my fingers; however, I sort of have to turn off the world while I finish. I'll keep you all posted.

In the meantime, I have a wonderful new interview for you all to read. One of my favorite authors, Louise Gouge. She won me over as a fan in the 1990s with her novel Once There was a Way Back Home. But Louise has come a long way since then. Here's her bio:

Award-winning Florida author Louise M. Gouge writes historical fiction for Harlequin's Love Inspired Historicals. In addition to numerous other awards, Louise is the recipient of the prestigious Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award for her 2005 novel, Hannah Rose. With her great love of history and research, Louise has traveled to several of her locations to ensure the accuracy of her stories’ settings. When she isn't writing, she and her husband love to visit historical sites and museums. Her latest release from Harlequin is The Proper Companion, a Love Inspired Regency novel. Her 2011 Regency novella, The Gentleman Takes a Bride, is a finalist for the IRCA.

Here is a blurb about Louise's latest book, A Proper Companion. 

She had nothing left but her faith…

With her father’s death, Anna Newfield loses everything—her home, her inheritance, and her future. Her only piece of good fortune is a job offer from wounded major Edmond Grenville, whose mother requires a companion. The Dowager Lady Greystone is controlling and unwelcoming, but Anna can enjoy Edmond’s company, even if she knows the aristocratic war hero can never return her love. Even amid the glittering ballrooms of London, nothing glows brighter for Edmond than Anna’s gentle courage. Loving her means going against his family’s rigid command. Yet how can he walk away when his heart may have found its true companion?

Louise has agreed to a drawing, so leave a comment and email address to enter to in a FREE BOOK (USA residents only).

-- And now for the interview with Louise ----

1. What genre do you write in? (Historical, contemporary, romance, etc.)

I always like to say I write historical novels because I like to live in the past. Of course, that’s a joke because I don’t think I could do without modern conveniences or modern medicine. However, I do love to write about an era when faith, morals, and manners were important to most people.

2. How does your faith affect your daily life?

I cannot imagine life without Jesus Christ. He is my Savior, my Guide, and my constant Companion. When I’m upset, He calms me down. When I grieve, He comforts me. And when I am happy, He shares my joy.

3. How much spirituality do you weave into your story?

I try to create characters with realistic faith and spirituality. For instance, my current heroine, Anna Newfield, has great faith. When she loses everything—family, home, and inheritance, she clings to God, trusting Him just as Job did in the Bible. I have known people who have suffered great loss and yet never wavered in their trust in God. That is the life I try to live. So by showing that kind of faith through my characters, I hope my readers will also want to trust Him.

4. What is your greatest challenge in your writing?

It isn’t always easy to write about faith without using clichés and stereotypes. I try to present lifelike characters who are modeled on real life people whom I know. But every once in a while, it’s just too delicious to have a character from Central Casting who fits a certain mold. For instance, my Lady Greystone is a typically arrogant, privileged, demanding aristocrat. My challenge is to make her human enough so people won’t entirely hate her.

5. What message do you hope to convey to readers, either in this latest book or in all your books?

I pray that readers will want to emulate those of my characters who have reacted to the problems of life with enduring faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, Comfort, and Guide.

6. Do you believe there is evil in the world and, if you do, how do you portray it in your novels (or do you portray evil in your novels)?

Yes, I believe there is evil in the world. Even though it’s easy for us to point to news stories about those who commit serious crimes and think we’re above such evil behavior, I believe we all have a tendency toward selfishness and sin. I have created several characters who are very evil. In fact, in the book I’m currently writing, the antagonist is much like Iago in Othello. He is entirely evil and self-serving, and he seeks the destruction of good people. My purpose is to set up a contrast between him and my hero and heroine to show that the only righteousness anyone can have is through Jesus Christ.

7. What’s next for you as an author? Any books in the hopper?

A Proper Companion is the first book in my Regency set Ladies in Waiting series. I just finished writing the second book, A Suitable Wife, and have begun book three, yet to be named. I love to write series because I get to create a world and populate it with interesting people who interact with each other, devise all sorts of problems for them, and then bring them safely to a happily-ever-after ending. That’s the fun of being a writer!

My Web site is http://blog.Louisemgouge.com. My Twitter is @Louisemgouge.

Thank you so much, Louise, for allowing me to feature you on Everything Writerly.

And, readers, don't forget about the BOOK GIVE AWAY. Simply leave a comment with your email and we'll post the winner Sunday night or Monday morning. So stay tuned!

Meanwhile, read on!