Friday, May 7, 2010

Special Giveaway and Interview: They Almost Always Come Home

This week I am hosting an extra giveaway. Read to the end to find out how to enter.

Welcome to Writing for Christ! Thank you for being with us today.


Tell us a little about yourself!
Cynthia Ruchti is the current president of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), which she’s served in various volunteer capacities since shortly after she became a member in 2002. In her role as president of ACFW, Cynthia writes a monthly “From the President” column for ACFW’s Afictionado ezine. For two years she was one of four humor columnists for Afictionado’s“Let There Be Lite.” In 2007, she was the recipient of the ACFW Member Service Award. In 2008, Cynthia won second place for Women’s Fiction in ACFW’s prestigious Genesis Contest.

1: How long did you write before you were published?

I’ve been writing professionally for 31 years for radio broadcast scripts, magazine articles, newspaper columns, and compilation books. I began tackling full-length fiction as a serious project about eight years ago. That might make me sound like a slow learner, but I prefer to think of it as carefully spacing out my breakthrough moments.

2: When you held that first book in your hands, what was your first thought?

Truthfully, after thanking the Lord, my first other thought was, “Oh, Momma, I wish you could have lived to see this.” She had invested so much in my writing pursuits and had served as a constant cheerleader for They Almost Always Come Home. But congestive heart failure took her Home in February after a long, tough battle.

3: What are you working on now?

I’ve just finished the first round of edits for my fall release—The Heart’s Harbor in A Door County Christmas novella collection from Barbour Publishing. I’m doing some character development (both my own and the characters in my books) for a couple of other stories that are waiting for an opportunity to be told. In each one, the wonder of grace, forgiveness, and endurance overwhelm me, as I hope the will future readers.

4: Where can readers find out more about your books?

Connecting with readers is one of my greatest joys. They can find me on my website: http://www.cynthiaruchti.com/  or http://www.hopethatglowsinthedark.com/ . I’m also on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Shoutlife, and can be found all too frequently at the grocery store and not frequently enough at a spa!

5: What message(s) do you want to be clear to your readers?

The tagline for all my writing projects is Hope-that-glows-in-the-dark. That’s what I long for my readers to clearly see in my stories and in their lives. No matter how desperate the situation, no matter how dark the moment, or how bleak the prospects, hope—the Hope God offers—lives. It sometimes hides, but it’s there, hovering, waiting for the opportunity to surprise us, bless us, or heal us.

6: What are two things that people wouldn't normally know about you as a writer and or person?

Not that there’s ever much call for the skill, but I can write cursive backward almost as fast as I can forward. There must be a way to capitalize on that talent someday, right?

I played bassoon in junior high, high school, and college. One of my most cherished family photos is of a family reunion in 1992 when my dad, a band director, borrowed instruments and we siblings, cousins, and grandkids formed an instant concert band. Tuba, French horn, flute, trumpets, trombones, clarinets, saxophone, and...a bassoon!



Thank you for being with us today. Any final words for readers?

Thank you for the privilege of spending some time with you. Readers, you’re on my mind a lot these days. I’m eager to hear how the book They Almost Always Come Home impacted your life or which passages stirred your thinking or how far your own imagination wandered as you accompanied Libby on her journey. I’m looking forward to talking to you about it!

Readers here is your chance to enter to win this debut novel!  Leave a comment with your email address. IF I DRAW YOUR NAME AND THERE IS NO EMAIL ADDRESS YOU WILL NOT WIN!!

For extra entries:
~be a follower
~be an email subscriber

And a NEW one:
~Follow OR (not both for extra entries) subscribe to my new group blog, The Writer's Alley


Contest is only open in the U.S. and void where prohibited. Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is draw from a non-biased third party- Random.org. I am not responsible for any lost or damaged items of said prize.


Thanks for coming by to enter!


Contest ends on May 21st.

75 comments:

  1. Hello Casey,

    I have a gift for you!
    Come see at:
    http://knitsandreads.blogspot.com/2010/05/sunshine-award.html

    ~Lauri

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'd love to be entered in your giveaway for Cynthia's book...it looks really good. Enjoyed the interview so much. Thank you!

    Blessings,
    Sandee61

    Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm also a follower (Google).

    Blessings,
    Sandee61

    Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com


    Happy Mother's Day!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wonderful interview. I would love to win this book. I know I will enjoy reading. Thanks for the opportunity to enter.


    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am a follower via GFC


    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am email subscriber


    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I now follow The Writer's Alley


    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I really enjoyed reading the interview with Cynthia Ruchti and was thrilled to learn how much we have in common, inasmuch as I too am a writer and also played, and still play, the bassoon.

    I would love to win a copy of Cynthia's book! I am fairly new to following blogs but will be making yours a regular stop.

    janmarien@embarqmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Please enter me for a chance to win! Thanks!

    I am a follower. :)

    ~Amber

    stokes[dot]a[at]suddenlink[dot]net

    ReplyDelete
  10. Great posting Casey. I would love Cynthia's book.

    Have a blessed day!

    Smiles & Blessings,
    Cindy W

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am a subscriber.

    Smiles & Blessings,
    Cindy W

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I am a follower.

    Smiles & Blessings,
    Cindy W

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I also follow The Writer's Alley.

    Smiles & Blessings,
    Cindy W

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I would love to read this.
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I am a email subscriber.
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I was so touched by Cynthia's thinking of her mother when she got that first copy. My dad always encouraged me in my writing and if I get published I know that will be my first thought too.

    julesreffner(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I'm an email subscriber.

    julesreffner(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm a follower too.

    julesreffner(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Sounds like a good book Thanks

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] come

    ReplyDelete
  20. follower
    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  21. subscriber
    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Please enter me


    mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  23. follow on google



    mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  24. Casey, I really enjoy reading your postings. Great Work!Please enter me in your giveaway for Cynthia's book. Thanks!
    I am a Suscriber and Follower.
    rbooth43(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Please include me in this giveaway

    readingatthebeach(@)gmail(.)com

    ReplyDelete
  26. I'm a follower

    readingatthebeach(@)gmail(.)com

    ReplyDelete
  27. I'm subscribed via email

    readingatthebeach(@)gmail(.)com

    ReplyDelete
  28. I'm a follower of The Writer's Alley

    readingatthebeach(@)gmail(.)com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Wow, Cynthia, you can write backwards?! You're one talented lady. Can't wait to your book!

    fictionfan1[@]cox[.]net

    ReplyDelete
  30. Looks like a great book!
    ~Lauri
    http://knitsandreads.blogspot.com
    l_meinhardt@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I follow
    ~Lauri
    http://knitsandreads.blogspot.com
    l_meinhardt@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Following your new blog! Looks great.

    ~Lauri
    http://knitsandreads.blogspot.com
    l_meinhardt@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. I'm a follower and a subscriber. Please enter me!

    priviesandprims@ yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I am a follower :)

    inspiredbyfiction at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  35. I follow The Writers Alley too!

    inspiredbyfiction at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  36. I would love to read this book.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  37. What a great interview. The cover for this book is really neat.

    Thanks for the chance to win. I am a follower and subscriber.

    Cheryl

    cg20pm00(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  38. I'm already a follower of The Writer's Alley.

    Cheryl

    cg20pm00(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  39. I enjoyed the interview. Thanks for the chance to win this book. ybutler@oppcatv.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. I subscribed by e-mail. Thanks for the extra entry.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Sounds like a good book. Please enter me!

    hismercysurrounding(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  42. On this blog I'm being introduced to authors that I don't know. This is a great way to learn about new authors to me. They Almost Always Come Home by Cynthia Ruchti looks great!
    plhouston@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  43. i would enjoy reading this book...thanks for the chance :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  44. email subscriber :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  45. I would love to read this
    trishbazin(at)yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  46. Please enter me.

    Wendy
    ebeandebe at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  47. Great interview and giveaway. Thanks for the chance to WIN it! ybutler@oppcatv.com

    ReplyDelete
  48. I subscribe to your blog. Thanks for the extra enty. ybutler@oppcatv.com

    ReplyDelete
  49. Public Follower on Google Friend Connect. Thanks ybutler@oppcatv.com

    ReplyDelete
  50. I signed up to follow on The Writers Alley. Thanks for the chance to view another blog I am intrested in. ybutler@oppcatv.com

    ReplyDelete
  51. I love the trailer for They Almost Always Come Home on Cynthia's site. I look forward to reading her book soon. Please include me in the drawing. Thanks!
    worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  52. I'm a follower.
    worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  53. I'm an e-mail subscriber.
    worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  54. Please enter me in the giveaway!

    clickingherheels-at-gmail-dot-com

    ReplyDelete
  55. I found your interview to be intriguing and this book is one that I think I would take pleasure in reading. Thank you so much for hosting this giveaway.

    steven(dot)capell(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  56. I am a follower and would love to win this book! Sounds awesome

    ReplyDelete
  57. I am an email subsciber as well.

    My email is
    lrn.mcghee@gmail.com

    I failed to put that on the entry above. Sorry!

    ReplyDelete
  58. Casey, thank you. It's been great to hear from your readers and encouraging to consider their comments. I'm looking forward, readers, to connecting with you again when you write to tell me your impressions of the book! Bless you all!

    ReplyDelete
  59. Please enter me in this giveaway - Thanks!

    seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

    (Carman sent me)

    ReplyDelete
  60. I am a follower.

    seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  61. I am a follower of The Writer's Alley.

    seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  62. This book went on my wish list when it was first publicized several weeks ago and I can't wait to read it. It's great to have your mom as your strongest cheerleader and I know Cynthia's mom is smiling right now. Thank you for the interview and chance to win a copy, Casey.

    cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

    ReplyDelete
  63. I am a blog follower.

    cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

    ReplyDelete
  64. I am also an e-mail subscriber of Writing for Christ.

    cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

    ReplyDelete
  65. And I now follow The Writer's Alley.

    cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

    ReplyDelete
  66. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  67. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  68. Hi,

    Please enter me for the contest.

    estherym[at]yahoo[dot]com

    Thanx

    ReplyDelete
  69. I am now a google follower

    Thanx

    estherym[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  70. Hi, am now also a e-mail subscriber.

    estherym[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  71. I am also an e-mail subscriber to the Writers Ally

    estherym[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  72. Would love to win this book! looks great!

    Carman sent me!

    TaraTagli at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  73. I would love to receive a copy of this book!
    Carman sent me!
    alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for stopping by, I love to hear from those who traffic my blog! Have a wonderful day. :)