Monday, December 19, 2011

Giveaway and Author Interview: Rodeo Dust by Shannon Vannatter

Welcome back to Writing for Christ Shannon Vannatter, I am excited to have you here for a second time. J

What has changed in your writing life since you were last here?

It's been a weird year. One of those, now you see the contract--now you don't. Oh wow, it's back. I learned nothing is set in stone in publishing and that I should be thankful for every deadline.

What recent read stood out to you as truly spectacular?

Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes. It's just a beautifully written book. It's lyrical. Since I've studied writing so much, I tend to edit when I read. I'm always thinking, Oh the author should have done this or that and the story would have been better. I didn't edit this book. There was nothing to edit.

Do you have favorite authors?

Denise Hunter is my new favorite. I'll delve into women's fiction on occasion, but my true favorite is romance. I didn't edit Denise's books either. My very favorite of hers, The Convenient Groom. It has such a great premise, it made me wish I'd thought of it.

What do you find the most enjoyable part of writing or connecting with readers?

I love when readers ask me about a character or a scene in one of my books. To know that someone actually read something I wrote and it made them think.

What do you find the most ideal atmosphere for writing? Do you ever get those surroundings? J

My office in a quiet house. When my son was younger, I could write amidst turmoil and noise, but since he started school, I've gotten spoiled. During the school year, I have a quiet house during the day. In the summer, I write after everyone is in bed.

My husband has been a bi-vocational pastor since 2002. This month, he's starting as a full-time pastor at our church. When the deacons brought it up, I told him he had to stay away during the day. If no one's in the hospital or needs visiting, he's to stay at the church so I can get my job done. During the transition, he's had some time off. It's been really hard to stick to my schedule to meet a deadline instead of running around with him.

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?

My third published book, White Pearls. It took so long to write my second book that I only had four months to write the followup. I finished the first draft in two months. The story just flowed out of my fingers. I wish they were all like that.

Thanks for being here again! It has been a joy and we wish the very best with your novels.

Thanks for having me back. I enjoyed meeting you at the ACFW Conference this year. The only problem with the conference is that we never have enough time to visit.

Readers here is your chance to enter to win Shannon's novel!
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

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 December 30th.

31 comments:

  1. I am a follower and email subscriber. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. Tore923@aol.com

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  2. I enjoyed the interview and getting to read about Shannon. Would love to win a copy of this book.

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

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  3. I'm a subscriber

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

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  4. I would love to win this book. My grandson rodeo's in Alabama High School Division. Excited to read it. ybutler@oppcatav,com

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

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  6. I am an email subscriber. Thanks for the entries and Merry Christmas. ybutler@oppcatv.com

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  7. Thank you for this interview, this sounds like a pretty good book.

    wfnren at aol dot com
    wrensthoughts.blogspot.com

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  8. I am a GFC follower, wfnren.

    wfnren at aol dot com
    wrensthoughts.blogspot.com

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  9. I am a subscriber.

    wfnren at aol dot com
    wrensthoughts.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Sounds like a great read! Great interview, too. I'm excited that she named two authors I am unfamiliar with, and recommended their books! Thanks for the giveaway.
    kandrajane@bellsouth.net

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  11. I'm an email subscriber, too!
    kandrajane@bellsouth.net

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  12. I would love to win. Thank You for the chance.
    Angela from KY
    angelac@mchsi.com

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  13. I enjoy reading Shannon's books! I also enjoy reading Gina Holmes and Denise Hunter's books.
    I am a follower and email subscriber!
    Thanks!
    Rebecca
    rbooth43(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  14. I am a Follower of your blog
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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  15. I have not read Shannon's books. I would like to be entered. I enjoyed Liz' interview at your site, Shannon.
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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  16. I am a Subscriber.
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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  17. Tore,
    I hope you get a chance to read it. I was a fun book to write.

    Jo, Glad you enjoyed the interview. I've been interviewed so many times, I tried to come up with something new. Casey's questions were great, so that helped.

    Anonymous,
    I'd like to know what event your grandson competes in.

    wfnren,
    I had a good time with the research. Rodeo is fascinating, but the bulls make me nervous.

    Kandra, I hope you get the chance to read the books I mentions. And mine of course :)

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  18. Rebecca,
    Thanks for the compliment. So glad you like my books.

    Lane, I'm glad you enjoyed Liz's interview. I did too.

    Casey, I should have said this first, but better late than never. Thanks for having me back.

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  19. Thanks for the interview ladies. This book sounds great and I would love to be entered in the contest to win a copy.
    I am a follower and email subscriber, and I also have had your button on my blog for a while too!
    Blessings
    ibjoy1953{at]yahoo[dot]com

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  20. Denise Hunter is a new favorite author for me too, it's so hard to pick a favorite! Rodeo Dust looks really fun, please add me to the drawing.
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

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  21. I'm a subscriber.
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

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  22. I'm a follower.
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

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  23. I love the books you give away. Most are very captivating. I would really enjoy winning.

    Alicia from NY
    alibaby374@gmail.com

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  24. Thank you so much for the chance to win this. This looks like a great book. I would love to read this. Thanks again.

    agent_beckster(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  25. Hi Joy,
    I'm glad the book interests you. I always live vicariously through my characters when I'm writing and miss them when it's over.

    Merry,
    I had a lot of fun with my hero, Clay. His thoughts and the things he says are so rodeo.

    Ali,
    I hope you get a chance to read Rodeo Dust and enjoy it.

    Rebecca,
    I enjoy interviews and book giveaways. It's nice to connect with potential readers who haven't heard of me.

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  26. Wow, 2 months and you have a book! Looks like a wonderful read :)
    Thanks Casey and Shannon for the lovely interview :) It's always cool to find out what goes on behind the scenes.

    crazi.swans at gmail dot com

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  27. Hi Faye,
    I usually don't have a book in two months. It just flowed that one time. The two I've written since then were like pulling teeth for every word. Four months for the first draft is about right. And then I still have some intense editing to do. And that's before I turn it in. Then I get edits from my publisher.

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  28. Oh, I love heartsong books thanks

    this one sounds good

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  29. email subscriber

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  30. gfc follower

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  31. Hi Apple Blossom,
    I hope you get a chance to read it.

    ReplyDelete

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