Thursday, November 11, 2010

Special Giveaway and Interview: The Silent Order

Welcome back to Writing for Christ, Melanie Dobson! I am excited to have you here for a second time. J
Thanks, Casey! I’m honored to be back. J
What has changed in your writing life since you were last here?
Since last time, I’ve had the privilege of exploring Cleveland and Ohio’s Amish country to research my latest suspense novel (The Silent Order). I spent one night with an Old Order Amish couple in Sugarcreek and was swept away by the woman’s heart and passion. The Silent Order released the first of November, and now I’m in the midst of completing another historical novel set in Iowa’s Amana Colonies. 
What recent read stood out to you as truly spectacular?
I’ve been researching the Civil War for Love Finds You in Amana, Iowa—which is a wonderful excuse for me to read novels set in the mid-1800s. I’ve fallen in love with Lynn Austin’s books and writing style, specifically her Candle in the Darkness and Fire by Night novels set during the Civil War. She is a beautiful, lyrical writer with the perfect mix of strong characters and exciting storylines.
Do you have favorite authors?
I enjoy reading books by Angela Hunt, Kristen Heitzmann, Julie Klassen, and now Lynn Austin.
What do you find the most enjoyable part of writing or connecting with readers?
I love connecting with my readers! Every time I receive an email or a letter, I feel humbled and grateful for the privilege of being able to write the stories that seem to erupt out of my heart and mind. My favorite part of the writing part is the research—reading old newspapers and diaries and interviewing experts so I can glean enough information to make my stories as accurate and interesting as possible.
What do you find the most ideal atmosphere for writing? Do you ever get those surroundings?
I do almost all of my writing in a local coffee shop while my children are in school (the owner is very gracious and lets me camp out at the table by the window all day). This is the perfect setting for me with the steady buzz of conversation and unlimited refills on decaf…and no piles of laundry to distract me. My best work is done right before every major deadline when I lock myself into a local hotel room for two days and write as much as I can. 
Okay, something fun for those writers out there: In what point of your writing career did you surprise yourself by writing the most words ever in the shortest amount of time?
In one of my hotel weekends, I wrote 14,000 words. Usually I write 2,000 words a day so that was huge for me. It took me a week to edit all those words.
Thanks for being here again! It has been a joy and we wish the very best with your novels. 
Thanks, Casey. It’s always a pleasure to “chat” with you.
Readers, here is your chance to enter to win Melanie's latest book, The Silent Order.
Please leave an email adddress! If I draw your name and there is no email, you will not win.


For extra entries:

~Be a follower
~Be a subscriber


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 for said prize.


Thanks for coming by to enter! Contest ends on November 26th.

75 comments:

  1. Melanie's book seems intriguing and I like the cover very much. I enjoyed her interview and am looking forward to reading her story. Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win. Sure hope I do!

    Blessings,
    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10 at tx.dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am a GFC follower and an email subscriber.

    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great interview! :D This book sounds really interesting, and after seeing your review on Goodreads, I'm even more thankful for a chance to win it! :)

    Thank you!

    ~Amber

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

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oops!

    Forgot to add that I'm a follower. :)

    ~Amber

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm a subscriber and a follower. I enjoyed the interview with Melanie and would like to win her book.
    Thanks.
    pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

    ReplyDelete
  6. 14,000 words? I'm so in awe! I love the book cover. It sounds like a good read!

    I'm a follower, too!

    umdmaurer at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love the cover of this book, and would love to read it. I really enjoy books about the Amish. Please enter me in your giveaway.
    Thank you for the nice interview from Melanie...its interesting to read about her writing style.

    Blessings,
    Sandee61

    Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm an email subscriber.

    Blessings,
    Sandee61

    Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I can't wait to read this book. Please include me.


    alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am a follower


    alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm a subscriber.


    alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I am a subscriber and follower of this blog.

    I love to research. I wonder how to tell when you have enough or whether or not to continue. I am eager to read this book of suspense.


    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I am a follower. Tore923@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am an email subscriber. Tore923@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I really want to read this book. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Never enough Amish books! I just got one of Melanie's books last week and hope to read all of them!

    Doreen
    privesandprims at yahoo dot com

    I'm also a follower and a subscriber.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love Amish novels, but add suspense and it's even better! Please add me to the giveaway. Thank you.

    I'm a subscriber and follower.

    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  18. The Silent Order looks like a great read, thanks for hosting the giveaway and having such a nice interview. I'll keep an eye out for her Amana colony book too, I have visited there and it's a beautiful and interesting place.
    Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  19. this sounds like a wonderful story...thanks for the chance to read melanie's novel :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  20. i'm a follower...and email subscriber :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Looks like an awesome book!
    Please enter me!

    emreilly303@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'm one of your followers! and I subscribed as well!

    Emreilly303@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. Looks like a great read!
    Sign me up!

    Dreilly316@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Great giveaway! Can't wait to read it!

    Jreilly316@verizon.net

    ReplyDelete
  25. Excellent interview! And I would love to win The Silent Order!

    Blessings & a bit o' sunshine!
    Ruthi
    http://ruthireads.blogspot.com
    ruthcox at abitosunshine dot net

    ReplyDelete
  26. I am now a GFC follower of your blog!

    Blessings & a bit o' sunshine!
    Ruthi
    http://abitosunshine.blogspot.com
    ruthcox at abitosunshine dot net

    ReplyDelete
  27. The interview was indeed a 'JOY'. Thanks for the chance to win this. ybutler@oppcatv.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Follow on Google Friend Connect ybutler@oppcatv.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I'm a subscriber & a follower, and am looking forward to reading The Silent Order. rejordan79@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I would love to win this book!

    I'm also a follower of this blog.

    I'm a subscriber, too.

    leanniegehrke(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I would like to read this book.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  32. This book looks fantastic. Not only does the cover draw me in, but I find the story does too! Thank you!
    April
    apeygirl at gmail dot com
    +1 I am a follower.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Greetings,
    Sounds like a wonderful book.
    Thanks for the giveaway.
    Many blessings,
    Trinity Rose
    wandaelaine at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I'm a follower
    trinity rose
    wandaelaine at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  35. I'm an email subscriber
    Trinity Rose
    wandaelaine at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  36. The Silent Order sounds like a great book. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.

    Blessings,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  37. I am a GFC follower.

    Blessings,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  38. I am an email subscriber.

    Blessings,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  39. Please enter me! I cannot wait to read this book! :)

    I am a follower and subscriber. :)

    booklovercb[at]yahoo[.]com

    ReplyDelete
  40. I would love to win this book. It looks like such a great read!

    dancealert at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  41. This book sounds like a good one. Please enter me. Thanks!

    ohiobuckeye91 [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  42. Oh, this book sounds great:)
    Please enter me in this giveaway!
    +1 I'm a follower
    +1 I'm a subscriber

    chakasa58 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  43. Wow, already put this book on my wish list. Sounds wonderful. Love hearing about authors and their books. I love reading. Juanita W
    whisper97304@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  44. I enjoy reading Amish books an would love to read this one. Please enter me

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

    ReplyDelete
  45. Oh, I love these kinds of books! Would love to win and read it. Thanks for the giveaway.
    plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  46. The Silent Order sounds like an exciting mysterious story, I love the 1920's/30's time period. Please add me, I'd love to win it.
    worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com

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

    ReplyDelete
  48. I'm a subscriber.
    worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  49. This sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance to win.

    I am a follower.

    Jennifer

    jmschwindt at cox dot net

    ReplyDelete
  50. The Silent Order sound wonderful.Please enter me in the giveaway.Thanks for the wonderful giveaway.augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.

    ReplyDelete
  51. I am a follower.augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.

    ReplyDelete
  52. I'm a subscriber.augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Thanks for the great interview, it sounds like a fun read : ) I'd love to win a copy!
    potosrose@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  54. I'd love to read this. Thanks for the great giveaways you have.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  55. I am a follower.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  56. Another great interview! I know I would enjoy this book and so would my sister! Thanks! jacquecurl1(at)gmail(dot)com

    I follow
    I subscribe

    ReplyDelete
  57. This was a wonderful interview! Thank you so much!

    Savanah

    ReplyDelete
  58. I'm a follower and I've subscribed.

    perhapsthatsridiculous at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  59. Looks interesting, count me in. Its always nice to find out a little more about the authors too.
    gijanechosen(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  60. Please enter me. Many thanks for offering the contest. I also linked to it via my weekly contest page:
    http://bit.ly/9fgUua

    keiki [dot] hendrix [@] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  61. Love to read about the Amish. Thanks for the contest.
    kendony1011@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  62. What an interesting looking book!
    I'd love to win!

    Kait
    momiswayweird(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  63. I would love to win a copy of this book! It sounds like great book!

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  64. Follower

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  65. subscriber

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  66. Great cover...great story line! I would LOVE to win this and read the book!

    ReplyDelete
  67. Another Lynn Austin fan, so now I really want to read your book too. :)

    Pegg
    twinwillowsfarm at gmail dot come

    ReplyDelete
  68. I'd love to win this!

    Hosreluver120@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  69. Please enter me in the drawing!
    Thank you,
    Lisa
    storyreader617@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  70. Following!! (:

    Horseluver120@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  71. I'm just now reading my first book by Melanie, Love Finds You in Homestead, Iowa. I enjoy her storytelling and writing style, so she has become an author whose books I look for. Thank you for the interview and chance to win The Silent Order.

    +1 Follower
    +1 Subscriber

    cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

    ReplyDelete
  72. Enjoyed your blog.Book sounds great. Thanks for the chance of winning.

    ReplyDelete
  73. I'd love to enter!

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  74. I'm a follower.

    aikychien 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. :)