Monday, January 3, 2011

Giveaway and Author Interview: White Doves

Welcome back to Writing for Christ, Shannon Vannatter, I am excited to have you here for a second time.
What has changed in your writing life since you were last here?
I’m less stressed. I learned that I can write under deadline and handle content edits.
What recent read stood out to you as truly spectacular?
I don’t get to read as much as I’d like these days, but I loved Along Came a Cowboy by Christine Lynxwiler.
Do you have favorite authors?
Karen Kingsbury and fellow Arkansan, Christine Lynxwiler.
What do you find the most enjoyable part of writing or connecting with readers?
In writing, I have a general idea of the characters and story, but about halfway through, some detail emerges that makes all the pieces of the puzzle fit. I love when that happens. On connecting with readers, I love when someone I don’t know tells me they loved my book. Recently, a reader told me that the spiritual message in my book helped her deal with an issue in her life. That’s priceless.
What do you find the most ideal atmosphere for writing? Do you ever get those surroundings?  
I used to could work with noise, but I’ve gotten spoiled since my son started school and I have the whole house to myself during the day. Now, I have a hard time writing unless the house is quiet. During the school year, I have a quiet house everyday and I get a lot of writing done.
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?
Book 2, White Doves, was my first book written under contract and I actually had writers’ block, which I thought was a myth. Every word was like pulling teeth and the content edit was huge. I’d tried to pack so much into the story because I was so worried it wouldn’t be as good as the first book. Good editors are worth their weight in gold. By the time I got it finished, I only had four months to write Book 3, White Pearls. I wrote the first draft in two months. Thankfully, it wrote itself.
Thanks for being here again! It has been a joy and we wish the very best with your novels.
I appreciate you having me back, Casey. You’re such a sweetie.

Okay readers, here is your chance to enter to win Shannon's book.
Please leave an email address. If I draw your name and there is no email, you will not win!

For extra entries:
~Be a follower
~Be a subscriber

And a NEW one:
~"Like" my jewelry page on Facebook. I am running a contest there as well.
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 January 15th.

51 comments:

  1. I really enjoyed Shannons first book, so now Im here trying to win a copy of #2!

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  2. I was privileged to interview Shannon when her debut novel released. It's fun to learn even more about her. I'm happy to hear her say that she's less stressed and has learned that she can write under deadline and handle content edits.

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  3. Sounds so good! :D

    I am also a follower.

    I am also a subscriber.

    I like your FB page.

    pinkdaddysgirl[at]msn[dot]com

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  4. I've read White Roses and would like to read the other two in the series, also.

    Sandy

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  5. Hey Donna,
    You're following me around. That's a good thing. Especially since you liked the 1st book. Thanks for the compliment.

    Keli,
    I thought the less stressed statement would make the writers around here feel better. Once I tackled each new phase of publication, I realized I can do it. I set a routine and take one thing at a time, knowing I've done it before, I can do it again. No worries.

    Ariel,
    I'm glad it sounds good. I've hooked you. That's a very good thing. Thanks for stopping by.

    Hi Sandy,
    I'm glad you enjoyed the book and want more. Y'all are making me feel so good.

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  6. I Loved White Roses. What a beautiful cover on White Doves!


    alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  7. I follow on GFC


    alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  8. I am already a member of your Bug's Beads Facebook page!

    alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  9. I love the cover of this book. Shannon is another new author to me and the book sounds so good. Would love to read it.

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

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  10. I am a subscriber

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

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  11. Thanks for the interview and giveaway!
    I'm a follower.
    I'm an email subscriber.
    I liked your jewelry page on FB (Tressa S).
    tressa(dot)sherman(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  12. Great interview and I would love to win this book.The frount cover looks so peaceful. ybutler@oppcatv.com

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  13. I follow on Google Friend Connect. ybutler@oppcatv.com

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  14. I subscribe by email ybutler@oppcatv.com

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  15. Thanks for the opportunity to win this book:)
    I am a follower.

    I am a subscriber.

    I like your FB page

    Charlotte
    chakasa58 at gmail dot com

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  16. Maureen,
    Thanks so much for the compliments.

    Tore,
    I'm glad you stopped in.

    Jo,
    I love the waterfall. The Romance Waterfalls, a real place, is in all three books.

    Tressa,
    Ooh, I like your name. Sounds like a heroine.

    grannyvon,
    It does look peaceful. I've had a lot of compliments on my cover designer's talents.

    Charlotte,
    You're welcome. I love the chance to connect with readers.

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  17. Please enter me! I love Christmas stories.

    I am a follower

    I'm a subsciber

    I like you on face book

    dancealert at aol dot com

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  18. I loved Shannon's first book, and I am so anxious to read this one! Please enter me. Thanks!!!
    jackie.smithATdishmailDOTnet

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  19. Hey Casey! I love the blog design - it's SO cute!
    This book looks really interesting - please enter me! I am a follower! :)

    Kait
    momiswayweird(at)gmail(dot)com

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  20. I would like to read this book.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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  21. I'd love to be entered for this good book! Thanks!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  22. I follow
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  23. Sounds good!

    Follower

    Email subscriber

    I like your jewelry page on FB


    meredithfl at gmail dot com

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  24. thanks for the interview enjoyed reading it.

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  25. gfc follower

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  26. email subscriber

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  27. Looks like a great book. Would love to win!
    hisprincess886(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  28. Hey Brenda,
    It's not really a Christmas story, but there is a Christmas scene in it.

    Jackie,
    I'm so glad you liked the book. It's scary putting your baby out there.

    Kait,
    I love the blog too. I love cute and feminine.

    Linda,
    Thanks for your interest.

    rubynreba,
    I'm glad you dedided it's a good book just from the interview.

    Meredith,
    Thanks!

    apple blossom,
    Glad you enjoyed the interview. I did too. Second to writing, I love talking about writing.

    Hi Emillie,
    Thanks for the compliment.

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  29. Enjoyed the interview. Would love to win.

    Follow via gfc

    like your jewelry page on fb

    lgm52@hotmail.com

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  30. Carman sent me!

    I've not read a book by Shannon as yet. This sounds good.

    I'm a folloer.
    I'm a subscriber
    I like your FB jewelry page.

    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

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  31. I'd love to win this book!

    leanniegehrke(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  32. I follow this blog.

    leanniegehrke(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  33. I'm a subscriber.

    leanniegehrke(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I "like" your jewelry page on FB.

    leanniegehrke(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  35. Thanks for the great giveaway and interview :)

    mrsjohnson1982 at yahoo dot com

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  36. I follow with GFC.
    Username: missreneer :)

    mrsjohnson1982 at yahoo dot com

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  37. Would love this book! atouchofheaven2010(at)gmail(dot)com

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  38. I'm a new google follower Mary B. atouchofheaven2010(at)gmail(dot)com

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  39. I loved the first book and am looking greatly forward to reading this one!

    nina4sm/at/gmail/dot/com

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  40. I am a follower of this blog.

    nina4sm/at/gmail/dot/com

    ReplyDelete
  41. I would love to participate.

    dunlizzies_corner/at/yahoo/dot/com

    ReplyDelete
  42. Please enter me in the contest. I love your books.
    debbiemcla(at)msn(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  43. I enjoyed reading your interview. Thank you for hosting this giveaway

    Louis
    schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com

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  44. I'm a follower!
    Thank you for the opportunity to win ~
    kjv1611as at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  45. Wow. All these comments. It had kind of slowed down, so I haven't checked in a while.

    lgm52,
    Thanks for stopping in.

    Linda,
    I'm glad you sent Carman my way.

    Leanne,
    Pretty name. Sounds like a heroine name.

    Mrs. Johnson,
    I'm glad you enjoyed the interview.

    Mary,
    I love your e-mail address.

    Sylvia,
    I'm so glad you enjoyed the first book. I remember you sending me questions about characters. You made me think and re-read. So glad my fictional world interested you so much.

    dunlizzie,
    I think you're in.

    Debbie,
    Thanks so much for the compliment. I love hearing people say they love my books.

    Louis,
    Glad you enjoyed the interview. I love connecting with readers.

    Amanda,
    Thank you for taking the time to visit.

    ReplyDelete
  46. The book sounds great. My house is never quiet enough for work!

    meredithfl at gmail dot com

    GFC follower

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  47. Carman sent me and I am now a new follower. Please stop by http://edgeofescape.blogspot.com/

    bigpinelodge at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  48. Shannon writes so gently and imaginatively. I was a lucky winner of her book "White Roses" and enjoyed it very much. White Doves seems like a dream comes true...it suggests weddings to me. Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win Shannon's book. I hope I win.

    Blessings,
    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

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  49. I am a follower of your jewelry line on Facebook. Lovely work!

    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete
  50. I am a gfc follower.

    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete
  51. I am an email subscriber

    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

    ReplyDelete

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