My Writing Process BLOG HOP

Good Monday Morning! Preslaysa Williams at www.preslaysa.com asked me to participate in the "My Writing Process" blog hop.

Even if it is Tuesday morning! This was scheduled for yesterday June 2nd, but I found myself still away from home (visited the weekend with my daddy who lives with my sister so she could take a break)and didn't have my information with me, so I'm posting it this morning instead.

So, I have been working on HOPE REBORN, book three after VOW UNBROKEN (March 2014 release from Simon and Schuster’s Howard Books) and HEART STOLEN (September 2014 release), scheduled for a March 2015 debut. All three are historical Christian romances, VOW takes place in 1832 when my state was known as Tejas and a part of Mexico, then HEART comes six years later, 1844, when we were a Republic. HOPE REBORN, set in 1850 after Texas has come into the Union as the twenty-eighth state, explore the romances of the wild west and have plenty of adventure for their characters.

I absolutely love writing for this genre, my all time favorite! The research is fascinating. I love digging into the early history of the Lone Star State and writing for readers who love the Lord. Being able to extol His greatness and never ending love for us is such a blessing. He gives me the sweetest stories and lets me get to know my characters as real friends, making them so easy to write about.

Though many authors write historicals set in the nineteenth century, no where in the world was like Texas – not then, not now! I’m thrilled to find many men enjoy my historical romance novels and say in their five star reviews that I should add western adventure to the genre explanation. J

I started writing historical Christian romance because I met Mary Sue McAdoo Seymour, my agent, at an East Texas Writers’ Conference. Yes, her maiden name was McAdoo. What a fun God thing, right? She told me this was her favorite genre and is I would write one, she would sell it. So I did, and so did she. I started writing in the 80's and have often wondered why God had me writing as my success seemed minimal. I see now that all those years and studying and learning my craft was for such a time as this – such a genre that would advance His Kingdom. And that’s why I write what I do.

I get up every morning and have my first cup of coffee at the computer. I check my social media accounts and love reaching out to those who take the time to get in touch, then I pull up Word and got to my work in progress HOPE REBORN. One thing that might interest you, I've written two novellas - my first! They're about half the size as VOW UNBROKEN at a little over forty thousand words each: SING A NEW SONG and THE PREACHER'S FAITH that are at the publisher's now. They're both contemporary Christian romances. Be watching for those titles!

Now I encourage you to hop on over to a sweet friend of mine who God gave to me, Holly Michaels. Her "My Writing Process" will go up next Monday morning, June 9. (unless she finds herself away from home without her information) Click on over and see what she has to say about her writing experiences. http://www.writingstraight.com

I want to thank you for visiting my blog today. I’d love to hear from you. Ask any questions by commenting below or tell me why you like to read historical Christian romance. What do you look for in such a story?