Giveaway! Shades of Mercy by Anita Lustrea and Caryn Rivadeneira!

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

Anita: I was really athletic in high school. I lettered in LaCrosse and Field Hockey and loved watching most other sports. I enjoyed sports so much that for a couple of years while I was in high school I wanted to head into sports journalism in college to become a sportscaster. I gave up that idea when I realized how few women were welcomed into that field (back then). I still love watching sports of all kinds!

Caryn: That my name is pronounced car-in, like “put the car in the garage.” And my last name is best pronounced with Robert DeNiro in mind. Different letters, but same cadence

Do you have a favorite genre to read/write?

Anita: I love reading fiction that has a bit of mystery in it. I want to be guessing and wondering as I read. I've always written non-fiction. I've helped compile and contribute to and edit 3 books that are devotionals. The latest is Tending the Soul. And I've written a Memoir type of book weaving my story with the stories of listeners to my radio talk show, Midday Connection. That book is called What Women Tell Me: Finding

Freedom From the Secrets We Keep.

Shades of Mercy is my first foray into fiction and I'm finding fiction writing to be a lovely adventure. I'm fascinated with how fiction writers describe the writing process. It seems to be  different from author to author. I've been amazed at how characters have a mind of their own and how differently a story can end up from where you thought it would go because of where certain characters take you.

Caryn: Right now I’m on a huge mystery kick, as well as reading some middle-grade fiction. Both are so fun. I’ve made a career out of being a non-fiction writer—lots of essays and interview and narrative non-fiction books—but writing this first novel opened my eyes to the possibility that fiction holds. I’m eager to write more fiction. I’m hooked.

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

Anita: I'm not sure if it's completely changed how I view writing, but the biggest piece of advice I've received and that I tell myself over and over that has helped me in the writing process is that writing is a discipline. Inspiration may never strike, or may strike now and then, but if you wait for it your book will never get written. I may never 'feel' like sitting down to write. I tell myself, "Just write. Get in your writing chair and start typing!"

Caryn: Toni Morrison says—to paraphrase—write the book you want to read. I love that. I write to figure out what I think, to see what God has done, and to understand life a little better. Writing for “myself” sounds so selfish, but in many ways, it’s sunk my writing deeper into the Spirit of God and into a broade

r audience.

5 things you love?

Anita:

1. Reading

2. Autumn

3. Aroostook County, Maine

4. An unhurried cup of Irish Breakfast Tea in the morning (after water has boiled, tea has steeped for 5-6 minutes and honey and milk are added)

5. Solitude

(Not necessarily in that order)

Caryn:

My family

My dog

My neighbors/community

Reading

Libraries

What novel have you recently read that has stood out to you that both teens and adults will find enjoyment in?

Anita: I recently read Sensible Shoes by Sharon Garlough Brown and loved it. It is a very different kind of novel. One that follows 4 women on their spiritual journeys. Might be a bit beyond teens. I also recently re-read a favorite of mine, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo. It is written for a younger audience, but great for all ages. It grabbed my heart! I end up sobbing every time I read it! Want a good cry? Then grab a copy!

Caryn: Just finished Gary Schmidt’s OKAY FOR NOW. Rocked my world.

Places for readers to learn more about you?

Anita: www.anitalustrea.com

www.middayconnection.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/anitalustrea

Twitter: @anitalustrea

Caryn: Website: www.carynrivadeneira.com

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Caryn-Dahlstrand-Rivadeneira

Facebook: Caryn Rivadeneira

Twitter: @carynrivadeneir 

Thank you for being with us today!

Readers, enter to win Caryn and Anita's book here!

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 October 25th

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