Welcome back, Janet. Why
do you write the kind of books you do?
One of the toughest challenges we face on this earth is
doing relationships. Whether fiction or nonfiction, my books deal with the
tough stuff of figuring out how to get along with others. Also, Bly Books
fiction evolves around the historical and contemporary lifestyles of western
culture.
We’ve always lived in and traveled the many highways and
dirt road trails of the western states. This was my late husband Stephen Bly’s
passion and I caught it from him. He knew the history of the Old West and could
recall most every detail he ever studied or learned. In keeping with the
western theme brand, but staying in a more familiar and doable zone for me, my mystery
fiction stories happen in a contemporary western setting. The most recent solo series,
The Trails of Reba Cahill, takes place the summer of 1991.
Most all my nonfiction books go back to the theme of
tackling relationships, whether devotionals or family topics or themes such as The Heart of a Runaway.
Besides when you came
to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
Maybe it was the day Stephen received nine book contracts
from Crossway Books on the very same day … six of them for the Nathan T.
Riggins Series (8-12 yrs old) and three for the first of the Stuart Brannon
Series (which eventually became a total of seven). We made a habit of eating a
steak dinner at our favorite restaurant whenever we got a contract. We weren’t
quite sure how to properly celebrate such an incredible multiple bonanza. So we
included all the members of our family in the outing—three sons and their wives
and the grandkids. A sweet memory! Also, that day plunged us into fulltime
writing.
How has being
published changed your life?
Being published confirmed my God-given task in how I could
communicate God’s truth—through the written page. I knew where to invest my
time, strength, and gifts to learning how to improve the messages He created me
to share. Also, I’ve gained so many friendships that otherwise would not have
been possible—readers, other writers, as well as various folks in the
publishing field.
If I had never been published, I would presume writing
wasn’t for me. I’d have pursued other avenues of ministry. Now that I’m in my
senior years, I still plug away with stories and projects and keep chasing the
sparks of ideas that might work in print.
What are you reading
right now?
A variety of books that make an intriguing combination. 1) The Revelation Record: A Scientific and
Devotional Commentary on the Prophetic Book of the End of Times, by Dr. Henry
M. Morris, founder of the Institute
of Creation Research . 2)
I’m re-reading Heaven by Randy
Alcorn. 3) The last three novels I just finished were very different, but kept
my interest and impressed me with the likeable characters, settings, and
writing style: From Russia With Love,
The Heirs of Anton, Book 1, by Susan May Warren; A Stillness of Chimes by Meg Moseley; and Silenced, Alaskan Courage Series, Book 4, by Dani Pettrey—loved the
uniqueness of the rock climbing skills of the main character in this one.
What is your current
work in progress?
Now that Down
Squash Blossom Road , Book 2 of the Trails
of Reba Cahill Series has been launched, I hope to re-release about nine more
of our out-of-print children’s books, including The Crystal Blake Adventure
Series (9-12 yrs old). Then sometime next Spring, I’ll be adapting several
former devotional books into a revision entitled Grace Spilling Over/True Stories of God’s Tender Mercies.
As soon as I’ve completed these projects, I’ll begin Book 3
of The Trails of Reba Cahill with the working title: Beneath a Camperdown Elm. Most of the research has been done for
this conclusion of Reba Cahill’s story and a number of scenes have already been
rumbling around in my mind. In one way, it’s hard to wait to get started with
the next book in the series. In another, I truly need the break from the
tyranny of that consuming pace and pursue some semblance of a social life. With
the other writing projects, I can have a more relaxed schedule.
What would be your
dream vacation?
My late husband and I traveled so many places. We visited
every state in the U.S. ,
including Hawaii , traveled across Canada , and all over Europe .
We enjoyed all those sights and adventures so much. However, our favorite trips
happened in his pickup when we had a general direction in mind, but no
appointments or definite destination. We pulled off every side road and into
any town that got our attention. So much of our creative writing ideas were
generated during those long hours of sightseeing. Just thinking about it makes
me miss again my travel buddy. Hard to imagine a dream vacation without him.
How do you choose
your settings for each book?
First of all, it has to be in one of the western states.
That narrows it down a bit.
Second, it has to be somewhere I’ve spent some time or will
be headed to. The beginning scenes in Wind
in the Wires, Book 1, Trails of Reba Cahill, happen in a fictional town in
north-central Idaho, high on the mountain top Camas Prairie, just like the one
I live in. So, the setting’s one I experience every day. No one can tell me I
didn’t get it right.
But then one of the characters, an elderly man named Seth Stroud,
insists on taking a long journey in a Model T to Goldfield, Nevada. My heroine
Reba Cahill is nudged to go with him. That required more work. I had to take
the same trek myself. Much of that research I could also use in another road
trip, for Down Squash Blossom Road, Book 2 in the series.
The two cozy mystery fiction series co-authored with Stephen
were placed in towns we visited and enjoyed. Fox Island ,
Washington ; Jerome ,
Arizona ; and Columbia Falls , Montana ,
were all part of the Hidden West Series, contemporary mysteries. We set the historical
Carson City Chronicles in a Nevada town near Lake Tahoe , a wonderful place to vacation while doing
research.
If you could spend an
evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
Whoever is reading this blog right now. Would love to sit
with you, listen to your stories, and empathize with your troubles. I’d like to
find out who you are, what you’ve done, and what you still want to do. I love
meeting new people and finding out interesting things about them. There are
always pleasant surprises. And who knows? You might be the inspiration for a
character in a novel sometime.
What are your
hobbies, besides writing and reading?
I used to have all sorts of hobbies, such as making wreaths,
pottery, and embroidery. But all of those fell to the wayside when I started
writing. Besides, I overdid it on all those activities. I made so many items for
friends and family and myself, yet wasn’t interested in traveling to fairs and
bazaars to sell them. There was no point in continuing.
Any extra time these days is given to library board (as
president) and church board (as clerk) and ministering with the church worship
team and choir (as director).
What is your most
difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Readers have told me that I tend to have too many people and
names in my stories and sometimes they get lost. I have tried to correct that
by cutting the number of characters, such as totally deleting lesser important
ones or combining some of them. I also added a Character Names List to the
newest novel just released, Down Squash Blossom Road. I am
hoping that will help!
What advice would you
give to a beginning author?
Today is so different. Anyone can publish a book about
anything, anytime. That’s the benefit and also the bane. If you want to become
a good writer and find a sizeable reader base, steady yourself to be able to
take critique. Develop a team that will provide helpful, honest feedback and who
understands your genre and writing style. That may take some time and testing. Determine
to improve your skills with each project and welcome evaluation.
If you’re not under contract with a mainline publisher who
has their own editor, I recommend you hire at least one pro. Trading editing
favors with other writers can also be very helpful.
Stephen and I had a rule that either of us could edit the
other with any amount of red marks we felt were warranted. However, the creator
of the project had the last say on what stayed and what got deleted. We learned
from each other that way over the years. We each had a different approach and
gifts that complemented the team effort.
Tell us about the
featured book.
Cowgirl Reba Cahill’s schedule is full. Save the family
ranch. Free her mom from a mental institute. Solve a murder and kidnapping. Evade
a stalker. Can she also squeeze in romance?
Reba tried to focus on ranch duties, to help out her widowed
grandmother. But a crippled Champ Runcie returns to Road’s End, Idaho in a wheelchair
and seeks revenge for the accident that put him there. He blames Reba’s horse. Meanwhile,
a letter from her estranged mom forces her and Grandma Pearl back on the road: I
can leave now. Come get me. Love, Mom
When they arrive in Reno , her
mother issues a demand and refuses to return to Idaho . They head west instead. In California , Reba’s
friend Ginny’s marriage is on the rocks. The family business is threatened. And
squabbles turn deadly.
Reba digs deep for stamina to forge a relationship with her
mom and escape a crazed man’s obsession. She also faces an uncertain future as
a trainer offers her another horse … and maybe more.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
July 4, 1991, Road’s
End, Idaho
The dark speck in the sky seemed to float toward them, then
swooshed at a fast clip. Or so it seemed to the Welcome Home party of several
hundred Road’s End residents scattered along the field behind the Grange Hall.
“Here he comes!” Six-year-old Kaitlyn Runcie clutched
handpicked bunches of Syringa and Indian Paintbrush for her great-grandpa
flying in the sky. Three-year-old brother William crowded beside her on a
child-sized tractor.
As the helicopter droned closer, Reba Cahill followed the
gradual, graceful descent with a mix of trepidation and curiosity. Her head
throbbed and her stomach cramped. Soon they would greet Champ Runcie for the
first time since his tragic fall over a cliff in the Nevada desert, while riding Reba’s favorite
black horse Johnny Poe, and despite a protest and warning. This grand appearance
of the city’s leading citizen incited excitement and angst for them all amidst
the July 4th city-wide celebrations.
He was supposed to arrive in time to be Grand Marshal in the
Main Street
parade, same as the past nine years. But when word arrived of a delay, Grandson
Tim Runcie and wife Sue Anne took the honors on his behalf, riding and waving
with their children in Champ’s 1957 white Cadillac. The Mathwig triplets who
owned the Road’s End Hotel rode horseback behind them on their proudest
possessions, sidesaddles with plush red seats. Afterward, parade participants
mulled around to wait for the mayor’s homecoming, including rodeo royalty and
high school band members.
The woman who raised Reba clutched the arm of old friend and
temporary fill-in Cahill Ranch foreman, Vincent Quaid. “Can you imagine?
Paralyzed from the waist down.” Grandma Pearl whispered the diagnosis everyone
now knew.
Download Now! 5 Free Chapters of Down Squash Blossom Road , Book 2!
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Thank you, Janet, for sharing this new book with us.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Down Squash Blossom Road (Trails of Reba Cahill) (Volume 2) - Paperback
Down Squash Blossom Road (Trails of Reba Cahill Book 2) - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book--print book in US and PDF ebook file if winner is not in US. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
Thank you, Janet, for sharing this new book with us.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Down Squash Blossom Road (Trails of Reba Cahill) (Volume 2) - Paperback
Down Squash Blossom Road (Trails of Reba Cahill Book 2) - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book--print book in US and PDF ebook file if winner is not in US. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
11 comments:
Interesting interview/background. I have read and enjoyed many books from the Blys. This sounds to be another good one. We have traveled quite a bit in the west, and it is fun and educational to read books set in those states. Cathy - TX
Cathy: Thanks much for the note. So glad to hear you've read some Bly Books! Love your state too! Blessings, Janet
Janet, your late husband's books were very popular when I was a librarian and I am looking forward to reading your books. Thanks for sharing.
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
My husband and I haven't traveled many places, but we would like to.
It sounds like you have some very special memories of travels with your late husband. So sorry for your loss.
Dianna in TN
Reba does have a lot on her plate. Loving this title too.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
Sounds like a good book. Thanks for the chance to win.
Beth in Montana
Appreciate so much all your notes! Enjoyed each comment! Blessings, Janet
Sounds like another good read. Loved the interview. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Brenda in VA
Sounds like Reba has her hands full. I want to find out how she comes through it all!!
Beth from IA
sounds like
One of you will soon find out who will get the book giveaway!
Enter me!!
Conway SC.
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