Now, let's catch up with Shannon and her newest book. Please tell us about your favorite book as a child and your favorite book as an adult. Can you see a connection between those books?
Fun question. My favorite book was a Little Golden book, Baby Farm Animals. It had such cute pictures. As an adult, I can’t just pick one. I love Denise Hunter and Christine Lynxwiler books. They’re Inspirational romance, but there are horses and dogs in some of them.
I also love Denise H. and Christine L books. What is your favorite Scripture? Do you also have a favorite Scripture that encourages you in your writing?
“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;” Colossians 3:23
If you could go to any place in the world to research/write a book, what setting would you choose?
Somewhere on the ocean. Arkansas is landlocked. We have lakes and rivers, but I’ve only been the ocean once and I loved it.
The ocean is my favorite place to vacation, too. The sound of the waves is so soothing and the vastness is so awe-inspiring!
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’ll put it this way, I realized the story in my head was a book three years before I got a computer. I had a typewriter, but I’m not that great of a typist. I didn’t start writing until I got a computer.
The only thing I don’t like about technology is when my laptop has a virus and just suddenly won’t come on when I have a deadline. Luckily, a guy I went to high school with works on computers. He gave me a loaner while he fixed mine.
As a writer how have you had to grow and stretch out of your comfort zone?
When I started writing, I always heard write what you know. If I’d stuck with that, I wouldn’t have many books to write. I’ve had to research and learn about new things. I really don’t like sitting at my computer for research. A whole day can blow by without much progress. I love research trips though. There’s nothing like going there, but it’s much more expensive that way.
What advice would you give to a beginning writer that you wish someone had given you?
ACFW. I didn’t discover the group or conference until I’d been writing for 5 years. Without ACFW, I might not be published yet.
I agree wholeheartedly with Shannon on the importance of joining ACFW if you want to learn to write better and have hopes of publication! I think I had written for a couple years before joining ACFW then joined and learned how much I didn't know!
Do you want to add anything about your book such as where to order it?
Rodeo Ashes is available at Walmart, Kmart, & Meijers. All of the Heartsong Presents titles will be there for a test run. If they sell well, it becomes permanent. Everybody—help out an author—go buy HP titles. Under $5.00 for a book. What more can you ask for. You can also order online at christianbook.com, barnesandnoble.com, & amazon.com.
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Lacie Gentry, a young widow and mom, is struggling with the aftermath of her husband’s tragic death. When she bumps into former classmate Quinn Remington, her future is undecided. She accepts a job teaching kids to ride at Quinn’s neighboring ranch, hoping to revitalize her life with an old pastime but soon sees in Quinn a chance to move forward with new love. . .if she’s ready.
It’s been years since Quinn has seen lovely Lacie Gentry—the girl he always admired in high school but never came close to dating. By the time they met, Lacie was engaged to rodeo star Mel Gentry then happily married. Now Lacie’s closer than ever. The attraction is still there, but so is a secret that might end any chance of romance.
Can they rise from the rodeo ashes?
Author Bio: Central Arkansas author, Shannon Taylor Vannatter is a stay-at-home mom/pastor’s wife. Her debut novel won the 2011 Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award. She’s had 6 books released since 2010 with three more to come. Find her books at christianbook.com, amazon.com, barbourbooks.com, and readerservice.com. Her latest title, Rodeo Ashes will be available at Walmart, Kmart, and Meijers in Oct. Learn more at http://shannonvannatter.com/ and http://shannonvannatter.com/blog/.
