The Next Big Thing Blog

A good friend and fantastic author, Cindy Christiansen, asked me to participate in this blog hop, and I'm thrilled to join her.

My newest story is still a work in progress, but here's a few fun facts about it.

What is the working title of your book?  A Perfect Catch

Where did the idea come from for the book?
Early this spring, I was driving with my hubby and when we drove past Pineview Dam (up Ogden Canyon), there were a bunch of ice fishermen, and I thought it might be fun to have a heroine who loves fishing.  At that time, the story was going to be a light romance, but my characters seem to have a life of their own and the story has become a bit of a mystery.

What genre does your book fall under? Contemporary Romance

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

Reece Witherspoon would be great as my heroine, Erin.  She’s sassy, determined, and all woman. 

 I can picture Matthew McConaughey as Justin.  He’s loveable, but when he suddenly disappears, Erin learns he hasn’t been totally honest. 

 K.C is searching for Justin and the last thing he wants is to fall in love.  I think John Lucas would be perfect as K.C.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

When Erin goes fishing for the love of her life, she’s going to have to sift through the lies, look closely into her heart, and be willing to accept love before she finds her perfect catch.
 
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
I’ll probably publish through an e-publisher like Bookstrand Publishing or The Wild Rose Press.  They design my covers, provide knowledgeable editors, and format my stories into both e-books as well as print books. I love working with them.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?  It’s still a work in progress.  It’s nearing completion, but it keeps growing, and the characters keep doing things I hadn’t planned for them.  So far it’s taken me about six weeks.  Hopefully, I’ll find the time to get those characters doing what I’d planned so I can get my manuscript finished in the next few weeks.  Cross your fingers for me!

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? There’s so many wonderful authors out there that it’s hard to compare myself to them.  I'd love to be included in the same class as authors like RaeAnn Thayne, Nora Roberts, and LaVeryl Spencer.
 

Who or What inspired you to write this book?  I’m married into a fishing family.  I like fishing, but they won't get me out on the ice.  My husband used to ice fish, my son and grandson still love going ice fishing.  It’s not the cold that bothers me, it’s the cracking of the ice that keeps me off.  (I'm a chicken about that!)  I also love books with a bit of intrique and mystery and a small mountain town in the middle of winter seemed to be a perfect place to create a story.  

What else about your book might pique the reader's interest?  If you love quaint, small towns nestled in the mountains and a lovely old bed and breakfast, you’ll want to read my story.  My heroine loves to fish, often catching enough for supper at the inn.  There’s two handsome men that she must choose between, one who has had her heart for over two years and one who shows up and shakes up her life when he convinces her she’s been lied to.  There's a fun-loving Pub where the town loves to meet, laugh, dance and tell fishing tales. There’s some intrique when strange things start happening at the inn, and there’s love.  I’d say, there’s a little bit of everything a romance needs to keep you turning the pages.
 

Want to learn more about another great author?  Check out the link below:

Cindy A. Christiansen - http://www.dragonflyromance.com

Heart of the West Annual Conference

The leaves are changing to the bright, bold beautiful colors of fall in our Utah Mountain.  That means it's conference time.  I just got back from attending our annual RWA Conference in beautiful Park City at the Grand Summit Hotel in the Canyons Resort.  It was a superb conference where I got to meet with other writers, good friends, publishers, editors, speakers, and attend wonderful workshops.  There was so much information provided that it's hard to take it all in, but everyone who attended definitely got their money's worth.  If you didn't attend this year and love writing, learning and networking, put it on your schedule to attend next year.

I had a wonderful surprise the first morning.  We had a brunch with other published writers and to my great surprise, one of our guest speakers was author, Anne Stuart.  I just started reading one of her books and it was great to meet her and talk to her and gain from her wealth of experience.  I also had the opportunity to meet Lisa Mangum, Editor, Shadow Mountain Publishing.  What an interesting young woman who also has several books published and available at Deseret Books.

One of the great perks of this conference is getting loads of free books, many by new authors, some by long-time published authors.  I love reading these books and finding new favorite writers.  

It was two days full to the brim with information, great food, wonderful networking and time spent with good friends and fellow authors.  If you are a writer, or want to be one, definitely plan to attend the Utah RWA Conference next year.

Utah RWA Conference - Out Out Damned Plot

Last weekend was our Utah Romance Writers Conference in beautiful Park City, Utah. The conference was at The Grant Summit Hotel at the Canyons Resort in Park City - beautiful facility and we just happened to be there when the Porsche Club was there so we saw some awesome cars too!

The leaves were in color, the weather was cool and nice. We had a great time. Christine Feehan was our luncheon speaker, along with agents Steven Axelrod, Laurie McLean and Amy Moore-Benson. We had editors Candace Salima from Valor Publishing Group and Heather Osborn of Tor/MacMillan, and Sue Grimshaw, book buyer for Borders. Marketing specials, Shahar and Mashlah Boyayan from Buzz Boosters gave us some great tips on marketing. All fantastic people with so much knowledge about the publishing business.

One of the perks to our conference this year was having Erin Summerill -- a professional photographer from Orem, Utah, take pictures not only of the conference but also head shots for each of the authors there. She is so good at what she does.

What a great way to spend a weekend. Only bummer was when I got home my internet was down and I had to spend three days waiting to get a new modem -- E. E. Cummings said, "The most wasted of all days is one without laughter." Guess the only thing I can say is I got to laugh at my predicament.

But the conference was worth all the headache when I got home.

Keep smiling.

Utah RWA Conference

I just returned from a wonderful Writers Conference sponsored by the Utah Chapter of Romance Writers of America held at The Lodges at Deer Valley in Park City, Utah. Beautiful setting, wonderful rooms, and great service.

It was a fantastic conference with workshops by such authors as Jo Leigh, Lynn Kurland, Nicole Jordan, Elizabeth Lane, Rachel Gibson, Melissa Mayhue and Raeanne Thayne. In addition, we had a special workshop by Jude Bown, author and inspirational speaker. I enjoyed all their words of advice and am amazed at all the talent of these wonderful authors.

We were also lucky to have agents, Kelly Mortimer and Christine Witthohn, as well as editor, Amanda Bergeron from Avon Books, present workshops and a panel for us to ask questions to gain from their knowledge.

If you’re an author or anyone who is striving to achieve a dream, here are few words of wisdom I gained from the workshops and speakers:

You have to take the first step. If you’re an author, put your butt in the chair and start writing.

Never stop learning about the process. Do your homework. Know who to submit your work to, know what they are looking for. Overcome your fears and never stop pushing yourself to do better.

Don’t try to mimick others. Learn your strong points, emphasize those strong points. Find what makes you unique and go for it. Don’t let anyone change that.

Network. Get to know others in the field you’re striving to succeed in. Ask for their help. Be their friend and offer any assistance you can to help them. Always be professional. Look for the positive and don’t complain.

Treasure the small successes and achievements you make. And lastly, Do what you love.