Welcome to Writing for Christ Carol Cox, it is great to have you here!
Do you have an interesting fact about yourself the average reader probably
doesn’t know?
One of my dreams growing up was to
play the piano and guitar. Instead, I wound up taking accordion lessons for ten
years. Ten long years. I don’t take
it out of the case very often these days, but at one time I played a mean
rendition of “Lady of Spain.”
Do you have a favorite genre to read/write?
My reading covers a wide range of
genres. One of my favorites is historical mystery/suspense. I love the
nostalgia of old-time settings combined with the fun of solving a mystery.
Books like that can be hard to find, though . . . maybe that’s why I gravitated
toward writing them!
Do you have a nugget of writing advice that has completely changed how
you view writing?
In the early days of my career, I
spent a lot of time figuring out how to fix my characters’ problems so they
could reach their goals. Then a teacher at a writing conference told me I
should focusharder
for my characters, not easier. That was a tricky concept to grasp at first, but
once it “clicked” in my mind, what a difference it made! My characters still
get their happy endings, but there are a lot more problems, a lot more
tension—and a much more interesting story—along the way.
on ways to make things
5 things you love?
Time spent at the beach, walking
along the sand and watching the waves roll in. If a beach isn’t available, I’ll
take a lake . . . or even a river. Remember, I live in Arizona, and we don’t
have an abundance of water here!
True friends who accept me just
the way I am. Relationships like that are rare, and they’re something I
treasure.
Walking (even it isn’t along a
beach). My family recently visited Alaska. The scenery was incredible, but one
of the things I enjoyed most was the fact that we walked nearly 35 miles that
week. Instead of being exhausted by all that activity, I felt recharged,
energized, and ready to go!
Chocolate, which should be classified
as a food group unto itself. And if I do
enough walking, it helps to cancel out some of those calories. See how it all
fits together? ;-)
Teaching music in our church’s
Vacation Bible School. When I inherited the job a few years ago, I wasn’t quite
sure how it was going to work out, since there’s a lot of choreography
involved. As it turns out, I love doing it! It’s one time when releasing my
“inner child” is perfectly okay!
What novel have you recently read that has stood out to you that both teens
and adults will find enjoyment in?
My whole family loved Rooms by James Rubart. After reading it,
we talked about it for weeks on end. Not only did the story carry me away and
keep me turning pages at a breathless pace, but it changed the way I look at my
life and being the temple of God’s Holy Spirit.
Places for readers to learn more about you?
I love to connect with readers
online! Visit my website at: www.AuthorCarolCox.com
to learn more about me and my books.
Then there’s my Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/carol.cox
I also blog at Writes of Passage
on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month: http://www.writespassage.blogspot.com/
I’m just getting started with
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/authorcarolcox/ I’m still trying to learn my way around all
those fun boards, so if anyone would like to share helpful hints, I’d love to
hear them!
Thank you for being with us today!
Thank you for inviting me to stop
by, Casey! It’s been a pleasure to get to spend time here and get to know you
better!
Readers, here is your chance to enter to win Carol's book!
For extra entries:
~Be a follower
~Be a subscriber
~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 July 19th
Attn Readers! If you're struggling to leave a comment on my blog, please email your comment entries (in ONE email) and I will submit it for you. But PLEASE only do this after you've failed to leave a comment. My email is: caseym.writer(@)gmail.com
I love the cover on this book. It draws me to it!
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower and a subscriber.
Doreen
Priviesandprims@yahoo dot com
Love Carol Cox's books! I am a follower and subscriber. Mommiebethers@ameritech.net
ReplyDeleteNostalgic books are my favorite too, Carol. :) Thanks for telling us a little about yourself.
ReplyDeleteI love the cover of Trouble in Store! Gorgeous.
I'm a subscriber
I'm a follower
nicnac63 AT hotmail DOT com
Love Carol's books! atouchofheaven2010 at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteI am a follower and a subscriber
thanks for the chance to read this wonderful story, casey & carol.
ReplyDeletei'm a follower & email subscriber, too.
karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
I would love to read this book :)
ReplyDeletecollettaskitchensink@yahoo.com
I am a follower.
Colletta
I loved Carol's first book and I have no doubt that this one will be just as good! I am a follower!
ReplyDeletermaney@firstarpchurch.org
Ooh, I loved that writing advice about making things harder for the character, not easier!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've actually read any of Carol's books. I have Love in Disguise on my Kindle but haven't read it yet.
ReplyDeletepattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
I love walking at the beach too, Carol! I can just FEEL the power of God in the wind and the waves. Such an awesome feeling! I would love to read your book. homesteading[at]charter[dot]net
ReplyDeletethis sounds like an absolutely wonderful book I'd love to read. thanks for the chance to win a copy
ReplyDeleteABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
email subscriber
ReplyDeleteABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
Casey, so glad that you featured Carol on your blog. She is one of my favorite authors and I enjoy reading her books very much. In fact, I'm reading Trouble in Store right now and really enjoying it. So there's no need to enter me in the drawing. I just wanted to stop by to say hello to you and Carol and to show my support. :)
ReplyDeleteI too enjoyed Carol's first book. I'd love to win this new one! I am an email subscriber too.
ReplyDeleteKandrajane at bell south dot net
gfc follower
ReplyDeleteABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
That really is interesting advice on the characters - and now that I think about it, I can see it in most books that I enjoy. Fun!
ReplyDeleteFollower!
rdalquis(at)css(dot)edu
I miss the beach so much and there are no rivers close! I must say that Carol is braver than me. I was afraid I would have nightmares with Rooms so I didn't read it. Thank you for this giveaway,
ReplyDeleteGFC follower: CarolNWong
And e-mail subscriber
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
Wow. I thought I was on the computer fairly early this morning, but you all are WAY ahead of me! : )
ReplyDeleteI love this cover, too. It does a fabulous job of capturing the time period and the mood of the story, and it's one of my absolute favorites.
Many thanks for the kind comments about my books. I appreciate that SO much!! And a special thanks to Angi for stopping by just to show support. : )
I'm heading back to work on my current manuscript for a while, but I'll check in again later. So nice to see all of you here this morning!
The cover of the book is absolutely adorable. I love it.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of your books yet, but certainly plan to.
Thanks for the giveaway.
I'm a follower and email subscriber
cindialtman(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for a chance to win this book. It sound really good.
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower and a subscriber.
superstarsarah94(at)gmail(dot)com
I'd love to win!
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower and a subscriber.
amberdawnwhitlock[at]gmail[dot]com
Enjoyed the interview!! Carol, I love that you play the accordion, because I also play the accordion. I started playing the piano and taking lessons for the piano at a young age. When I was a teenager, someone showed me the basics on the accordion and the rest I learned on my own. A brand new accordion was my high school graduation gift from my parents. Your book sounds great. Would love to win it.
ReplyDeleteBarbara Thompson
barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com
Also, I am a follower and a subscriber!
ReplyDeleteBarbara Thompson
barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com
Casey, you have a wonderful, welcoming group of readers ! I'm so glad to meet everyone here. Even another accordion player --and let me tell you, that doesn't happen often. LOL
ReplyDeleteI would love to win this! Thanks for the giveaway. I am a follower and a subscriber.
ReplyDeleteAnnette
sewbynette(at)yahoo(dot)com
I would love to win this! Thanks for the giveaway. I am a follower and a subscriber.
ReplyDeleteAnnette
sewbynette(at)yahoo(dot)com
Like the author, I too love the nostalgia of old time settings.
ReplyDeleteI subscribe via email
lag110 at mchsi dot com
I am always looking for a new author to read. This book sounds very good. I am a follower and email subscriber. Tore923@aol.com
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of Carol's books before, but I would love to!
ReplyDeletemarissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com
I'm a follower!
ReplyDeletemarissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com
I'm a subscriber!
ReplyDeletemarissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com
I read Carol's book Love in Disguise and really enjoyed it, so I'm looking forward to reading Trouble in Store. I like her mix of humor, romance, and suspense. Thanks for a chance to win a copy of Trouble in Store.
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower and a subscriber. Thanks for the extra chances.
pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
What a beautiful cover! Carol, you'll really enjoy Pinterest. I get lots of ideas there. I know one author makes a page for her characters. It helps her figure out what the 'person' would like.
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower and subscriber Casey.
Justmeshf(at)Hotmail(dot)com
Thanks, Pam, I'm glad you enjoyed Love in Disguise!
ReplyDeleteAnd Susan, thank you for the encouragement on Pinterest. I still feel a little overwhelmed by it all. Guess I'll just have to leap into deeper waters and see what happens!
I enjoyed Love In Disguise and recommended it to my mom who also enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to trying this book. It sounds good.
ReplyDeleteGFC follower Amanda D
asdidonato77(at)yahoo(dot)com
This cover is absolutely delish! So neat to get to learn more about Carol through this interview. This is definitely one I want to read!
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love the cover!
ReplyDeleteClp1777(at)aol(dot)com
I so enjoyed Carol's "Love in Disguise" and would love to be entered for a chance to win "Trouble in Store"! Thanks for hosting a giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI also followed your blog!
pocoauthor[at]gmail[dot]com
New author to me. Would love a chance to win and read her book. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteKaren G.
kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com
I'm a follower and subscriber.
ReplyDeleteKaren G.
kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com
Carol, I haven't read any of your books, but I do want and plan to read Trouble in Store. I love the cover. I'm learning about Pinterest, also, so have no tips. However, if you haven't seen it, you might like to check out Jody Hedlund's page. I think it is pretty neat!
ReplyDeletemay_dayzee (at) yahoo (dot) com
I forgot to say--I am a follower and a subscriber--different email addresses.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a wonderful book! thanks!
ReplyDeletepbclark(at)netins(dot)net
I am a follower.
ReplyDeletepbclark(at)netins(dot)net
I am a subscriber.
ReplyDeletepbclark(at)netins(dot)net
Trouble in Store is a playful title and sounds like a fun book. Please add me!
ReplyDeleteWorthy2bpraised at gmail dot com
I'm a follower.
I'm a subsciber.
Love in Disguise was so wonderful. I can't wait to read this book. Carol Cox is a very talented writer.
ReplyDeletethedestinyofone(at)juno(dot)com
I am a follower
ReplyDeletethedestinyofone(at)juno(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed Carol's visit with you. Very interesting . I know I would love to read your book Carol. I also am a follower. Also a subscriber of this blog. Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com
This cover is lovely! And the book sounds even lovelier. :) Can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeletegabriellevan(at)Hotmail(dot)com