Rose McCauley, Christian Author

Monday Spotlight on Tracy Krauss

I am happy to introduce you to another of my John316marketingnetwork pals--Tracy Krauss. I hope you will enjoy learning more about her as I did from these questions. Perhaps you could leave a question for her yourself.
1. Tell us about your favorite book as a child and your favorite book as an adult. Can you see a connection between those books?
That is a really tough question because I loved reading as a child and it is hard to pick one favorite. I really, really got into Edgar Rice Burrows’ TARZAN series as a kid. I read them all (and there are like 30!) Now that I think of it, this is quite interesting and insightful because my favorite book as an adult is probably MONSTER by Frank Peretti. It’s about a crazy ape-like creature terrorizing the forests. See any connection? Wow. That’s brilliant, Rose!

2. What is your favorite Scripture? Do you also have a favorite Scripture that encourages your writing? Psalm 91 is probably my favorite – ‘He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty …’ etc. I also love Ecclesiastes. It is melancholy and encouraging at the same time. It’s good to know that everything has its time, that the best thing I can do is live whole-heartedly for God, and that I should do my best at whatever I put my hand to do. All of these thoughts are from Ecclesiastes.

3. If you could go to any place in the world to research/write a book, what setting would you choose?
That is tough. I’m currently working on a WIP that has some of its locations in Italy. That would be sweet.

4. My husband and I got to visit Italy a couple years ago, Tracy. We spent our 41st anniversary in a gondola in Venice!  I hope you can go someday, too. I often wonder if I would write if I had to do it the old-fashioned way without computers and spell-checks and email. Is there anything about technology that you don't like? Or anything about it that you feel enhances your writing? I started writing before technology. I wrote notebooks full and then I thought I’d hit the jackpot when I borrowed my mom’s old typewriter! In either case, there is so much time spent re-writing and editing it is amazing that people actually got anything written. Imagine Shakespeare or Dickens using a quill and ink! Research is another whole thing, too. I spent hours pouring over encyclopedias, going to the library, and even waiting for information to come by mail. I am so grateful for my computer.
What bugs me is that technology changes so fast. Just when I think I’ve got it figured out, something new comes along. Also, so much of our ‘writing’ time is now spent online doing other related things like promoting etc.

5. As a writer how have you had to grow and stretch out of your comfort zone? Self promotion is not an easy thing. As well, it is always scary when you put something new ‘out there’ for other people to read.

6. What advice would you give to a beginning writer that you wish someone had given you? Seek critique sooner. I spent so many years inside my own head, I didn’t see the flaws. If I had had someone available to read and assess my writing sooner, I probably would have gone on to publication sooner. On the other hand, as I said before, I believe everything happens in due time (Read ‘God’s time’) so I’m not sure that would have made any difference.

7. How can people contact you and where can they buy your books? My books are available at all the regular places – Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc. You can also visit my website for a link to the publisher or to find other ways to purchase. I’m happy to say that both books are available in e-book as well as physical print editions.

Links and Contact info:

Website: http://www.tracykrauss.com/

Blog: http://www.tracykraussexpressionexpress.com/

FB: http://tinyurl.com/Tracy-Krauss-Author-Fanpage

Twitter: www.twitter.com/TracyKrausswrtr

Amazon: http://www.kraussamazon.com/

Short bio:
Tracy Krauss is an author, artist, playwright, director, worship leader, and teacher. Originally from a small prairie town, she received her Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Saskatchewan. She has lived in many places in northern Canada with her husband, a pastor, and their children. They currently live in Tumbler Ridge, BC. Published works include her debut novel AND THE BEAT GOES ON, a romantic suspense with an archeological and creationist twist, and MY MOTHER THE MAN-EATER, a contemporary romantic suspense. Tracy is also a published playwright and has several other works in progress.

Back Cover – MY MOTHER THE MAN-EATER

What’s a girl to do? Joleen Allen is on the hunt. For a man, that is. Unfortunately, every time the mother of five meets a prospect, he falls for one of her daughters instead!

Meanwhile, her ex-husband, Harold, is back in the picture after a stint in prison, and he’s looking for revenge. He’ll do anything to see Joleen’s reputation and her relationship with their children ruined. Harold has devised an elaborate plan to slander Joleen and ruin her financially, and will stop at nothing – even murder – to see it through.

At forty-four, Joleen has seen a thing or two. She became a mother at sixteen, and her five highly independent children are now grown. Jasmine is a successful ad executive, but has a drinking problem. Jill is a tough cop, while middle child Jennifer surprises them all with her tenacity. Jinger is a self-centered glamour girl, and the baby of the family, Jade, is utterly spoiled.

All the interesting men they meet get tossed around by this pack of barracudas. Adding to the mix are some drug deals, a kidnapping, insurance fraud, and secrets from the past, making life very complicated, indeed.

With grit, humor, action, intrigue and romance, My Mother the Man-Eater is a redemptive story about a woman whose search for meaning in life sends her straight into . . . the arms of God.

Wow! That sounds exciting, Tracy!
Hope my readers will hurry on out and buy one or both of Tracy's books.