I'm thrilled to have Shelley  on my blog today. Please welcome her with your comments.

Every comment and email address will have a chance to win one of her beautiful books and a handmade Amish handcraft!


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’ve always loved writing, but I never even considered writing until the last year I taught school. Then I just wrote for fun. When we moved to Ohio, my husband suggested I go to the Ohio Valley Romance Writers of America meeting. An announcement about their Saturday meeting was in the paper. After my first meeting, I began to try to write a book in earnest.

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

I write inspirational Amish romances for Avon Inspire. I like writing stories about men and women falling in love, but also deepening their faith. I also love writing about the Amish. Soon, I’ll be also writing historical western romances.

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 usually write 6 days a week. Right now, I aim for 10 pages a day Monday-Friday, and 5 pages on Saturdays. I take Sundays off. The length of time it takes me depends on the deadline and how the book is going. I’ve written a book in six weeks before, but I wouldn’t recommend it! Three months is my idea amount of time.

Tell us about your new book. What is the spiritual message in it? What can readers expect to get from reading it? How and where can readers buy your book?

My newest release is titled Autumn’s Promise. It’s the third and final novel in my Seasons of Sugarcreek series. It’s an Amish romance with a twist. My heroine is English, and my hero is Amish. They’ve both been through a lot, and must decide how much they are willing to give up for love.

I depended on a verse from Philippians to guide me. Basically, the spiritual message is that we’re all ‘works in progress’, and that the Lord gives us obstacles in life to discover more about ourselves. Both my characters lean on that verse.

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 might be in the minority, but I’ve never felt like giving up. For me, getting the opportunity to make up stories is such a blessing. But, yes, I completely agree with you, writing is a very solitary job, and it can be extremely challenging and discouraging.

Before writing Amish romances for Avon Inspire, I wrote sweet romances for Avalon Books. It took me quite a while to sell a book to them. Then, after that, it took me another three years to sell to Harlequin American Romance, where I write for them as Shelley Galloway. Now I’m juggling big work loads and lots of deadlines. Sometimes I get just plain tired!

On those days, I give myself a break and go for walks or shop~anything to be out of my house and around other people. I also find a lot of support from my critique partners. We’ve been together over 10 years, and have each had our ups and downs. They know what I’m going through, so talking to them helps.

Once I give myself permission to take a break, within a day or two, I’m anxious to write again. : )

Who’s inspired you the most?

I would have to say my father inspired me the most. He’s been gone for some time now, but his success in life made me realize that anything was possible. So, I often try to have big dreams and work as hard as I can.

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

Ha! I could spend an hour on likes and dislikes! I really enjoy baking and reading cookbooks. I also love spending time with my kids. They’re older now, so any moments I’m with them make me very happy. We also have two dogs. The miniature dachshund is my little buddy. I love taking her on walks.

I love to travel, too, and have been fortunate to have traveled to a lot of different places, both in the United States and in Europe. Lately, I’ve been telling my husband I want to go on two different cruises. One is a transatlantic cruise, and stop in Casablanca. The other is a northern European cruise, and stop in St. Petersburg. Obviously I’m still dreaming about big things!

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.shelleyshepardgray.com/, and I write a blog on it about once a week. I’m also very active on FaceBook, and have two pages there, a Fan Page and a regular page, where I post little things about my days. If people are interested, I’d love for people to ‘friend’ me there!

I give a lot of books away, and offer contests and drawings with almost every book release. My next release is GRACE, which will be published in October. It’s a Christmas romance, and a continuation of my first series with Avon Inspire, the sisters of the heart series. I’ll post information about that book on both my website and on FB.

Thank you so much, Shelley for sharing with us a bit of your life!

Folks, don't forget that comment and email address! You don't want to miss a chance on winning a book from Shelley!

Blessings!

Meet My Wonderful Writing Friend
Teresa Slack

THREE BOOK GIVEAWAY!

What to do?

Let Teresa and me know why she should write a suspense novel set in YOUR state (and if you live in Ohio, then tell her why she should get her currect work in progress done so that you can read it!) Make sure you leave your email address so that I can contact you when/if you win.

Now read on for a look into Teresa's writing life . . .


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?

First of all, Carole, let me say thanks for allowing me the opportunity to get acquainted with your readers. I have loved to write as long as I can remember. I couldn’t not do it. As far as I’m concerned when something is a passion, a burden if you will, that won’t let you go, God has great things in store for that passion. It’s almost a sin to let it go to waste.

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

I write in several genres, but my favorite is romantic suspense. Suspense comes easier for me, but everything is better with an element of romance added in. In suspense, the hero is in imminent danger whereas a mystery is usually a puzzle that needs solved. In romantic suspense, the heroine should fall in love, and perhaps trip over a dead body or two along the way.

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?

This changes often and depends on what else is going on. Right now I’m working fulltime and won’t be able to dedicate as much time to writing as I normally do. When I am working on a novel I must set a word count for myself or I won’t accomplish a thing. Last year I joined a writing challenge and completed 52K in 30 days. Otherwise I fritter away my writing time. It helps if I’m accountable to someone, even a self-imposed deadline.

Tell us about your new book. What is the spiritual message in it? What can readers expect to get from reading it? How and where can readers buy your book?

I am currently working on a novel that takes place on a remote Ohio farmhouse during the Great Blizzard of 1978. The story explores the spiritual inheritance we leave behind. It is easy to think we are a certain kind of person. But often our words and actions reveal a totally different persona to the world. After we’re gone there are no do-over’s. No second chances to show people our true self.

It is my hope that by reading the book, readers will ask themselves what inheritance they are preparing for the world. What will our loved ones say about us as they gather around our graveside? What about our coworkers or neighbors? Will they remember our generosity and love for God and all his creation? Or will they remember the times we lost our temper over small matters and lied to the boss to stay out of trouble?

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? Who’s inspired you the most?

I often envy people with regular jobs and steady paychecks who get to leave their work behind every day when they clock out. Writers don’t have that luxury. We’re working, even when we’re not working. It is a very discouraging business.

I am currently between writing contracts. I sometimes wonder why I keep writing when there are so many people out there doing what I want to do, and possibly doing it a whole lot better. It seems when I get the most discouraged and considering chucking it all and getting a regular job, the Lord puts someone in my path to encourage me. Someone at church will tell me they’ve been praying for my writing. Or I will get an email from a reader. Today someone told me at the voting polls that they had just finished reading my books and loved them.

I think of how most actors and celebrities started out on a level playing field. Some became megastars like Tom Hanks, while others like Peter Scolari—his costar in Bosom Buddies—struggled to find work after a few years in Hollywood. Why do some enjoy incredible success while others are lucky to get a guest appearance in CSI, International Falls?

Let’s face it. A lot of it is dumb luck. Some is connections. Then you have talent, timing, an awesome publicist, hard work, and more dumb luck. Do the non-working actors not consider themselves actors because they aren’t as well known as Kate Hudson? Of course not. They keep working on their craft through the discouraging times as well as when everything seems to fall into place. If you want something bad enough, you’ll do what it takes to achieve it.

I won’t let the fact that I may not become a Tom Hanks keep me from pursuing my dreams.

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

I did a lot of research before I ever submitted to the first publisher. I went through the same thing when I was shopping for an agent. I wanted someone who shared my goals and vision for my books and my career. I don’t think anyone can afford to sit back and relax anymore. Having been published before has helped me get a foot in the door, but when it comes down to getting a new book contract it takes the same hard work and tenacity as the first book.

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

I love:

• dark chocolate,
• shoe sales,
• brand new notebooks,
• movie theater popcorn,
• and Tina Fey.

My hobbies aren’t very exciting:

• reading,
• spending time with my grandkids,
• walking the dogs,
• and knitting.

If money were no object I would circle the globe. I love seeing new places and meeting new people. If I could only pick one place I would visit Greece.

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

Writing a book is hard enough, but letting the world know you wrote a book is a job that never ends.

• Readers are welcome to visit my website http://www.teresaslack.com/ to find out more about me and my books.
• I am woefully behind in posting to my two writing blogs.
• I try to update my Facebook status every day or so. Like everything else writing related, I hope to catch up over the next few weeks.

In the meantime check out my books. If they aren’t in stock at your local library or bookstore, just ask and they’ll get them for you. Of course they are available 24-hours a day online.

Thank you so much for visiting today, Teresa. Folks, she's a talented and wonderful writer! Please leave your comment for a chance to win these books!

Blessings!