Wednesday, February 16, 2011

A Warm Welcome to Author Jamie Carie!

Please leave your comments and an email address for a chance to read Jamie's book, The Snowflake!

How long have you known that you were a writer? Did you receive a clear “call?” Or have you just loved writing all your life?

I don’t know that I “loved” writing all my life, I certainly LOVED reading. Stories got me through a tumultuous childhood and adolescence. The first things I wrote were songs for our band. (I was one of the singers) I also wrote some poetry and a few short stories. The poetry and song lyrics were my worship to God, love letter to Him you might say. Then I went off to college for a Business degree (because I was tired of being broke!) but I ended up getting married and staying home with my little boys. Once again, I turned to books when I felt bored or lonely.

One day I felt God ask me to give up my favorite genre at the time – secular romance novels. That was a hard one! I was really attached to them, but I eventually obeyed. Over the next year I read Christian romances and the classics. I was not finding the kind of books I really wanted to read though, books with a Christian world view but some of the passion that makes us real and human, so I took a leap of faith and started writing Snow Angel. It took two years to write and another eight to break in to publishing. But that long road is another story!

What is the genre you write in? Would you explain what it is?

I write inspirational, historical romance. There is a Christian world view, set in various historical settings and time periods, with a love story at the heart. I love fairy tales and ‘happily ever after’ and seeing two people fall in love! It’s the story of the cross to me - what love can conquer. I never get tired of it!

How do you spend your writing days? Do you set goals to reach a certain number of words per day? Can you give us a general idea of how long it takes you to write a novel?

I’m on the slower side compared with some authors. If pressed I can write a chapter a day but I really do better with half that, which is about 1500 words. I try to finish the scene and that might be half a chapter or three quarters or all of a chapter. During the day I reread what I wrote the day before and edit it and then later in the day (I’m not a morning person!) I dive into the next scene. Sometimes, when I’m just not feeling it, I wait and write late at night when it’s dark and the house is quiet and I have my music playing.

You recently had a book published. Would you take this time to describe it to us? How and where can readers buy your books?

My latest release is The Snowflake, set in Alaska during the gold rush.

It's the story of Ellen Pierce and Buck Lewis. Ellen has been taking care of her mentally ill brother all her life and has never had a story of her own. She lives a pretty lonely existence. Then she meets Buck, the kind of man that folk-lore is made of. The kind of man she hasn't even had the courage to dream about. But Buck isn't going to Alaska for the gold like everyone else. He's going to find his wife's killer so that he can put some closure to the hole in his heart. When he meets Ellen he is torn, conflicted and a little angry with himself that he feels something for another woman. They both have some issues to resolve before they can even think about being together. There’s a “bride for a day” auction and lots of gold miners in the rowdy town of Dawson City. If you liked my first book, Snow Angel, you’ll probably like this one.

You can find my books at your local Christian bookstore, some Wal-Mart stores, Borders, Barnes & Nobel, Books-A-Million and online at Amazon or CBD.com. There is a list of online sites selling my books on my homepage of my website at http://www.jamiecarie.com/

What is the spiritual message in your book? What can readers expect to get from reading it?

Most of my books are about God’s great love for us. Ellen is pretty lonely and disillusioned by how her life has turned out but God is there, He loves her and cares what happens to her and has a plan for her life – she just has to wait on His timing and as most of us know, that’s hard to do. God gave me this “Dear Reader Letter” about a snowflake to remind us of how much He loves us:

Dear Reader,


Have you ever considered the snowflake? I have. I have a fascination with them. They say snowflakes are one-of-a-kind, like fingerprints. Can you imagine how many snowflakes are in a handful of snow? A yard full? A city's worth? And that's just in one snow fall. What about a winter's worth of snowflakes across the entire world? What about every snowflake that has or will ever fall? Can you imagine the diversity in each intricate design? The arms that are perfectly symmetrical and appear sparkling glass under a microscope. The bends and twists, the spikes and branches on a piece of floating, fluffy frozen water. Only God has that much imagination, that much creativity, that much timeless knowledge and wisdom. Only God could build a snowflake with each one having its own identity.


We are like the snowflake. Fantastic and unfathomable and fragile. Our lives are a moment in time, but that moment is all ours, there is no one like you ever made nor ever to be made. If God took the effort to make each snowflake with its own unique shape, how much more did he expend on you, his beloved, in His image? We forget, I think, how valuable we are to him. When the snowflake melts, what does it become? Streams and rivers, lakes and oceans. Life giving water. God created one-of-a-kind water droplets for you to drink. I can't fathom such love.


Dear beloved reader, do not sell yourself short. Do not think for a moment that you don't mean everything to Him. Do not let man and Satan, sin and evil, rob you of your worth. After all, He gave His one and only son for you.


Remember that the next time you look in the mirror and see only shortcomings and failures. Remember. It's hard, I know. But I promise, I will try and remember it too.

Do you ever feel like giving up? Most people don’t understand the stress, the work, and the joy of being a writer. How tenuous becoming a writer is. Do you care to share how it feels, what discouraging/encouraging times you’ve gone through?

I have had dark moments where I wasn’t sure I could or would continue. I think all authors dream of runaway bestsellers and when that doesn’t happen it can be hard. Even though my books have done well, there is still that pressure to always do better – write better, sell better, figure out what people want and give it to them. I’ve had to let go of all that, to the best of my ability, and rely completely on God to continue. I’ll keep writing as long as He is there writing them with me.

Would you explain how you “chose” (or were chosen by) a publisher? Do you just go “inny, minny, miny, moe?” Now, that you’re published, can you sit back and relax from the success you’ve experienced?

Ha! My road to publication was very difficult. If you’d like to read that long story here is a link to it http://jamiecarie.com/interview-with-novel-journey

As far as sitting back and relaxing . . . I don’t think any publishing house wants their authors doing too much of that. (grin) Every book takes a great deal of effort on both sides and there is unending work in creating and selling it.

Do you mind telling us some of your likes and dislikes? Hobbies, interests? Where would you like to travel if you could?



(To be released in September, 2011)

I do love to travel with my husband and, sometimes – depending on where we’re going, my boys. I am currently working on my first 3-book series (so excited!!). The first book, The Guardian Duke, is set in Ireland and Holy Island, England. The second book will be set in Iceland and the third book in Italy. I would love to visit all four locations but I’ll need to sell a lot of books to be able to afford that! God willing, maybe I’ll make it to at least one of them.

Would you give us your blog or webpage so everyone can check it out? Anything else you’d like to share? Promotional information?

My website is http://www.jamiecarie.com/ and there are lots of fun book trailers, book blurbs, and even a bad cooking show (my mom and I making sourdough biscuits like Noah made for Elizabeth in Snow Angel) on the Snow Angel page. I also blog about once a week and have a newsletter sign up where you can hear the latest going on with me and enter give-aways for free books!

You can follow me on Facebook here http://www.facebook.com/jamie.carie
My fan page is http://www.facebook.com/jamie.carie
Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/jamiecarie
Thanks so much, Carole, for the awesome interview!

And thank you, Jamie, for being on my blog!
Readers, your comments and email addresses will give you a chance to win her book!
 
Blessings!

35 comments:

Debra Chapoton, author said...

Wonderful interview. God does love each and every one of us. I often remind myself that Jesus died for that person, and that person, and the guy over there . . . especially when I meet someone who rubs me the wrong way.
I'm looking forward to reading this author. Thanks.
bigpinelodge at gmail dot com

Joanne Sher said...

Sounds like a lovely book. Please enter me!
joanne(at)joannesher(dot)com

Casey said...

Jamie's books have such GREAT covers and I have been wanting to read one for some time. Thank you for entering me!!

Email is in my profile.

cozymysterygirl said...

this books sounds wonderful and would love a chance to win a copy thanks
Kellie
kellielovesanthony@gmail.com

Kathryn Page Camp said...

I'm always encouraged when I find an author who took years to get her first novel published. Misery loves company, I suppose.

Jo said...

It looks like I am the first to post on here today. I really enjoyed the interview and would love to read the book. Please enter me.

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

Wendy said...

I would love to read this book. I enjoy Jamie's books.
wsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com

Teresa Slack said...

Thanks Carole, for another interesting article. I love reading how other writers have faced the same obstacles in reaching their own happy endings. Congrats, Jamie, and many more bestsellers to come.

Courtney said...

That story sounds amazing! I can really relate to the things you said about finding good christian romances that have passion! I have been struggling with this for a while. Thank you for entering me in your drawing.
kcmelone@yahoo.com

Marianne Evans said...

Wonderful post! Enjoyed getting to know about you and your writing, Jamie! Carole, Graet blog!

Debbie Clark said...

I have not read any of Jamie Carie's books yet, but would like to be entered into the drawing. The Snowflake sounds like a good book to read. Thanks for the chance to win.

debbiemcla[at]msn[dot]com

Ann Lee Miller said...

Thanks for the chance to win Jamie's book! Ann_Lee_Miller@msn.com

Linda Glaz said...

Every snowflake different just like every book

charlie said...

I enjoyed reading more about Jamie Carie! Snowflakes have always intriqued me because of their individualities. Amazing that our Creator can create millions of snowflakes and none are the same. Each one is individual and unique, like each of us in our funny little ways, our personalities, our likes and dislikes, etc and yet we are all loved and wanted by the One True God. I would love to read her book "The Snowflake"!

charliebear@rogers.com

Wendy said...

Loved the interview!
I would love to read this.
Please enter me in the giveaway.
Thank you for the chance.
wdesirees[at]yahoo[dot]com

A Little Scrappin' and Stampin' said...

Jamie, Just looking at the cover of your book "The Snowflake" makes me want to read it!! I love snow, snow stories, and any good book! Thanks for entering me in your drawing. And I will be watching for your 3 book series. I love reading series as well!!
Joy Hannabass
ibjoy1953@yahoo.com

Pegg Thomas said...

Sounds like a great story! Thanks for entering me.

twinwillowsfarm at gmail dot com

Jordan said...

Great interview! I can relate to the writing late at night...I don't write much (poetry, short stories) but I always get inspiration as I lie in bed at night. If I'm too tired to write it down then, it's gone by the morning. Haha.

This book looks great. I love this simplicity of the title - taking one thing and seeing so much more in it. Awesome!

lizzielaura17(at)yahoo(dot)com

apple blossom said...

I'd love the chance to win the snowflake thanks

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Diana Flowers said...

Please don't enter me for the giveaway...I have read all of Jamie's books and love them! I can't wait for her new series! I am not familiar with the book you posted pic of in the interview. The Pirate of my Heart? Is that one in your new series? Don't tell me I've missed one of your books! I'm almost sure I've read them all.

dianalflowers@aol.com

Charity U said...

Please enter me! It sounds like a great book!

Carman sent me. :)

photographer4ever832[at]gmail[dot]com

PriviesAndPrims said...

Thanks for offering the book as a giveaway!
I'd love to win!

Carman sent me. :)

Blessings,
Doreen

Hannah said...

Carman sent me and I would love a chance to win this book!

hannah(dot)subrosa(at)gmail(dot)com

Annette W. said...

Not an entry bc I have my own copy. I really enjoyed this book, too!

Caroline said...

Diana, if you look right under the pic of her book, you'll see a comment that says "coming . . ."
It's not out yet; this is just a peek at her upcoming one.

Looks great, doesn't it? Thanks for your encouraging comment!
cb

windycindy said...

I really enjoyed learning about this delightful young author! Her analogy
of the snowflake and people is so
beautiful...
I would really author reading her
book!
Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

karenk said...

would love to read this novel...thanks for the chance :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Anne Payne said...

I would love to read this book. I've enjoyed her other books tremendously.
Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy.
homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

Charleydog said...

Life is like a snowflake - fragile and temporary.

I would like to win this book.

pboylecharley AT hotmail DOT com

Nancye said...

This sound like a great book! I enjoyed reading the interview. Thanks for the chance!

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

MaureenT said...

I Love looking at snowflakes, but we've had over 141" of them to look at so far this year. Just North of us there is a town that has had over 256"! Enough!
Please include me!

alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

Unknown said...

It is so great to find another christian author. I love to read and enjoy a clean book with a message. Thanks for the opportunity to win this book. I came by way of Carmen. I also love doing reviews.

Leanne said...

Oooh, I LOVED her book Snow Angel! I couldn't put it down when I read it! I'd love to read this book, too!

leanniegehrke at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great read. Carmen sent me.

true_sheila at yahoo dot com

Mary / Touch of Heaven said...

This sounds like a great book. Would love to win it!
atouchofheaven2010[at]gmail[dot]com
Mary B.

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