Giveaway! Driftwood Tides by Gina Holmes!

Welcome to Writing for Christ Gina Holmes, it is great to have you here! So you’re a writer? What made you decide to start creating characters and story world?

I figured out in highschool that I could write, and was suprised to find out most people didn't find it as fun, fulfilling or as easy as I did. In college, a professor's reaction to an essay I'd written told me I had some talent. Fast forward to motherhood, I wanted to find a way to bring in extra income since I was blessed enough to be a stay-at-home mom for a little while and I set out to write and sell everything from articles to greeting cards with limited success. I learned then that writing was not a fast, easy or lucrative job. While at church service one day, a 17 year old girl told the congregation that she was writing her second novel. My mouth hit the floor. It never ocurred to me until then that writing an entire book was possible for mere mortals. I began to read every how-to writing book I could get my hands on and set out to work on my first novel.

What is the one title that has significantly impacted your life?

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. Until I read that novel, I didn't think the Christian market had a place for someone with my history. I came from a broken family and was pretty broken myself. I didn't relate to pollyanna fiction because that's not the world as I know it. Francine (and later, others) showed me that not only does God accept everyone into His family, but so could the Christian market.

If you could get a do-over when it came to learning this whole thing called writing, what would you go back and tell yourself?

Relax and focus on learning to write well rather than trying so hard to sell before you're ready. Enjoy the journey because in many ways it's far more exciting and wonderful than the other side of publication.

5 preference questions:

Homemade or take-out? Homemade is always best but especially on deadline or when I'm going through a tough time physically, I'm perfectly fine with a drivethru salad or a pint of beef and

broccoli.

Email or snailmail?

I can't remember the last time I sent a letter the old fashioned way. Email is so much more convenient, though once in a while I will send my parents a letter because talking on the phone isn't one of my favorite things to do.

Online shopping or Black Friday deals? 

 I'd rather have a root canal than deal with a black Friday crowd. I find the convenience of online shopping wonderful. That being said, I love my brick and mortar bookstores and definitely prefer picking out clothes in person.

Books or movies?

I'm not real big on movies or TV. I do enjoy documentaries however. I read and listen to books constantly.

Note-taker or memorization?

Mostly I listen, though I will sometimes right down key words to help jog my memory of something I thought was important.

               

Yes, I’m asking you to play favorites…which of your books is your favorite, published or unpublished? And if this is your debut novel, has your favorite been published yet?

I'm going to have to say there's a tie-breaker. Crossing Oceans was my debut and might turn out to be the best loved novel I'll ever write. Everything came together on that one from story to writing to marketing to reader response. I very much miss those characters and think I'll likely write a follow up one of these days. I miss Mama Peg most of all, I'm sure because she was based on my own grandmother who was one of the people I've loved most in my life.

The other is Wings of Glass. I thought my writing in that one was some of my best but more than that, the subject matter of domestic abuse is very close to my heart. I wanted to give people a glimpse into the mindset that keeps women (or men) in an abusive relationship, but also open the eyes to those who might be in an abusive relationship. Sometimes everyone knows it but him or her.

Places for readers to learn more about you?

Ginaholmes.com or for writers, novelrocket.com

Thank you for being with us today!

Thank YOU, Casey. It was a pleasure!

Readers, enter to win Gina's book here!

Please leave an email address! If I draw your name and there is no email, you will not win.

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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 31st.

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