Monday, March 21, 2011

Giveaway and Author Interview: Yesterday's Tomorrow

Welcome to Writing for Christ, Cathy West, it is great to have you here! Do you have an interesting fact about yourself the average reader probably doesn’t know?

Thanks for having me! Well, I suppose it’s pretty interesting that I live in Bermuda! Yes, it’s an island in the Atlantic, about 700 miles north off the coast of North Carolina. I was born and raised here, aside from two years at a boarding school in England, and seven years in Canada, where our two children were born.

What surprised you the most about being a published author?
That I have to write another book. Kidding. Actually, I’m not sure anything has surprised me yet, but then I haven’t received a lot of book reviews yet, so maybe ask me in another few months! Actually, it’s a little surprising to discover just how much work goes into promoting a novel. I’m finding that I need to be careful to balance my writing time between doing all the legwork involved in getting the word out about Yesterday’s Tomorrow. So far so good!

Do you have a favorite genre to read/write?

Yes, romance! Well, it’s a toss-up between romance and women’s fiction. I love reading issue-driven books, and I love writing them. But nothing beats a good old-fashioned romance with a a happily ever after ending! I think romances are a lot more fun to write, but I tend to have fun regardless. My characters get up to all sorts of shenanigans. I also really enjoy family-saga novels, which is what I’m working on at the moment. Some of my favorite authors are Deb Raney, Lisa Wingate, Debbie Macomber, Maeve Binchy and Kate Morton, to name just a few. I read widely within CBA and ABA.

When you aren’t writing or interacting with fans, what do you enjoy doing?

Honestly, I enjoy spending time with my husband and two kids. My daughter is away at college and my son is on his way there this fall, so when we’re all under the same roof, it’s really special. We have a great time together, share a quirky sense of humor served up with a side of sarcasm, if you don’t ‘get us’, you’ll sit there thinking we’re a bit shy of a full deck, but we have a blast. My kids and husband are all musical, and I enjoy singing, so sometimes we’ll just bust out the guitars and work on some worships sets, which is awesome.
I’m also an avid gardener, love roses and orchids, and a dog lover. My family will tell you they’re not sure where they’d stand if we were all on a sinking ship and I had to choose to save either them or my border collie, Noah! And I’m not answering that on the internet. J

Do you have a nugget of writing advice that has completely changed how you view writing?

Wow. It would be hard to come up with just one thing. For me, I’d have to say it was realizing just how much I had to learn about the craft. It’s one thing to have a love of story, but it’s another thing entirely to learn how to tell it, and tell it well. It’s important to be part of a writer’s group, immerse yourself in books on craft, go to conferences and get paid critiques, join a critique group. It’s an ongoing process, and a grueling one at times. Don’t take yourself too seriously. J

What do you enjoy most about being a published author?

The money, talking to Oprah, and the free chocolate. Oh, you want a serious answer? Okay. J
Getting that first contract was a moment I’ll never forget. I suppose what I enjoy most is the fact that I no longer have to explain that yes, I’m a writer, but no, I’m not published. Yet. Unless you’re in the business, it’s a tough process to understand. It’s great to know that there is still hope for unpublished authors. It’s a little nerve-wracking to know that at last my dream has come true, I have a book out, because people are, I hope, actually going to read it!

What do you like readers to take away from your books?

I like to hear that the reader has made an emotional connection with my characters and what they go through. I don’t pretend to assume that my stories will change lives, but I hope they at least entertain, and perhaps open doors of curiosity to wanting to know more about the things I write about and the God I believe in.

Places for readers to learn more about you?

My Publisher: Http://www.oaktara.com
Thank you for being with us today!
It was great to be here! J

Okay readers, here is your chance to enter to win Cathy'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 an EXTRA one:
~Follow Cathy's blog here

Contest is in the U.S. and internationally (since Cathy lives in England) 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 April 1st.

58 comments:

  1. I am a follower. Tore923@aol.com

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  2. Catherine I love your name and I also love the sound of this book. It sounds very good. I really want to read it. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

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  3. This looks like such a great book! I haven't read very many books from the time period, but I'm very curious about this one. Please enter me!

    lubell1106(at)gmail(dot)com

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  4. I'm a follower!

    lubell1106(at)gmail(dot)com

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  5. I'm a subscriber!

    lubell1106(at)gmail(dot)com

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  6. Ooh, this looks like a really good book! Please enter me!

    jennycohen104(at)gmail(dot)com

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  7. What a great time period. This book looks very intriguing! Thanks for the chance to win it.

    icohen62(at)gmail(dot)com

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  8. Please enter me. naburcaw@gmail.com

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  9. I am a follower. naburcaw@gmail.com

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  10. I am a subscriber. naburcaw@gmail.com

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  11. Some great authors gave high compliments to this book! I'm so interested in reading it. Please include me in the giveaway.

    reneeasmith61 [at] yahoo [dot] com

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  12. I'm a follower :)

    reneeasmith61 [at] yahoo [dot] com

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  13. I'm also an email subscriber :)

    reneeasmith61 [at] yahoo [dot] com

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  14. Great giveaway!

    I am a follower.

    deborah@deborahandreasen.com

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  15. Thanks for the giveaway!
    I am a follower,subscriber and I am following Cathy.
    jlee745@aol.com

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  16. WOW! I just read Lisa Lickel's review of this book and I am really looking forward to reading this one. Can't say I've ever read a fiction book in the Vietnam War era, but it sounds fascinating! Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy.

    homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

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  17. I'm a follower :)

    homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

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  18. Also following Cathy!

    homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

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  19. I'm a follower of your blog and an email subscriber. Great interview!

    gravesok@gmail.com

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  20. GFC follower

    email subscriber

    follow Catherine West blog

    vidishamun@gmail.com

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  21. I would love to win this one because the interview was so fabulous the book has to be fabulous too. ybutler@oppcatv.com

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  22. I subscribe by email, ybutler@oppcatv.com

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  23. Follow on Google Friend Connect. ybutler@oppcatv.com

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  24. You live in Bermuda!? What a beautiful place to live. I visited there with my husband about ten years ago. We still have a Christmas ornament filled with pink sand that we hang on our tree every year.

    (not an entry).

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  25. Really happy to see so much interest!! Believe it or not, I was once told this story would NEVER sell. Boo yah! LOL. Is it okay to gloat a teensy bit?
    Joy, yes, Bermuda is beautiful but it's a small place and we have our issues just like anywhere. Glad you enjoyed your visit. I love our pink sand but it ruins my ability to enjoy any other beach in the world as nothing compares!!

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  26. I just finished reading the book yesterday, so I don't need to be entered to win a copy. However, just wanted to post my two cents. this was a great interview and i loved the book! I'll be posting a review very shortly. Well done, Catharine!

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  27. I've read about this book on other blogs and would love to win it.
    Thanks for the interview with Cathy and the book giveaway.
    I am a subscriber and also a follower of your blog.

    pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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  28. Sounds like a great book!
    Thanks Casey. I'm a follower.
    crazi.swans@gmail.com

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  29. I'm a follower through gfc.
    dancealert at aol dot com

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  30. I'm an email subscirber!

    dancealert at aol dot com

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  31. I am following Cathy's Blog through facebook - I didn't see the usual place to follow it was facebook or twitter for me.

    Brenda Rupp

    dancealert at aol dot com

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  32. I forgot the first post was just to be my request to be entered in the draw!

    dancealert at aol dot com

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  33. I'd love to read it!

    leanniegehrke at hotmail dot com

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  34. I'm a follower.

    leanniegehrke at hotmail dot com

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  35. I'm a subscriber.

    leanniegehrke at hotmail dot com

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  36. Cathy I can tell I'm going to love you already...besides that fact that you have almost the same name as my mom (Kathy West) we almost have the same dog LOL! I have a collie and I'm pretty sure I might have answered that question about the dog and the sinking ship in the same way. :-P

    Please don't enter me Casey I'm already getting a copy of Yesterday's Tomorrow. ;-)

    XOXO~ Renee C.

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  37. Looks like a great read! I've never read any books about this war and I can't wait to see what really happened.
    Please enter me!

    Emreilly303(at)gmail(dot)com

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  38. I'm a follower!

    Emreilly303(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  39. I'm a subscriber!

    Emreilly303(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  40. Wow! Thanks for the giveaway! It looks like a really good book.
    Sign me up!

    Dreilly316(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  41. I'm a follower!

    Dreilly316(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  42. I'm a subscriber!

    Dreilly316(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  43. Great interview, Casey! Can't wait to read the book!
    Enter me!

    Jreilly316(at)verizon(dot)net

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  44. Sounds like a great book!! Can't wait to read it!
    I am a follower
    I am an email subscriber!

    Thank you for the chance to win it!

    kcmelone[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  45. Thanks for the giveaway!!

    hsiu_an(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  46. I'm a follower!!! ^_^

    hsiu_an(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  47. I'm also a subscriber!!! (That's how I found out about this giveaway) xD

    hsiu_an(at)hotmail(Dot)com

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  48. AAAAAND, I follow Cathy's blog! :D

    hsiu_an(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  49. I would love to read this book.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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  50. Please add me. I would love to read this book.

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

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  51. Yesterdays tomorrow's sounds like such a wonderful book. Its on my list to read!
    Blessings.....Joy
    ibjoy1953{at]yahoo[dot]com
    http://splashesofjoy.wordpress.com/

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  52. Thanks for all the comments everyone! It's great to connect with new names and faces, so please keep in touch with me on my blog as well! If you do get a copy of Yesterday's Tomorrow, even if you don't win it here, I would love for you to send me your picture with the book, for my Reader's Gallery!
    Thanks!

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  53. Sounds like a such good book! I'd love to read.

    I'm follower and subscriber.


    niastrong21 at gmail dot com

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  54. wow would love to win this. trishbazin(at)yahoo.com

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  55. great giveaway:)

    jmatek AT wi DOT rr DOT com

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  56. Sounds like a great book. Carmen sent me.

    true_sheila at yahoo dot com

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