Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
Boy, that’s a great
question! Hmm. All my characters have some basic traits that are like me, I
suppose. Most try to be good people. Most of my characters really do believe in
happy endings and falling in love-as I do, too! But usually my characters are
usually people not like me. Instead they’re people I’d like to know.
What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
Since it’s Christmas
time, I’d have to say the quirkiest thing I’ve done lately is decorate way too
early for Christmas. And I’ve been known to listen to Christmas music all year
long. Yes, it drove my children crazy!
I love Christmas music and play Christmas CDs from the day
after Thanksgiving until New Years day. When did you first discover that you
were a writer?
I never thought of
myself as a writer until I deliberately sat down and attempted to write a
novel. I never thought of myself as a “real” writer until I sold my first
book-back in 2000. I’ve always considered myself a reader.
Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I’ve always enjoyed
reading. I majored in English literature, and really enjoyed studying the
classics. Now, I usually will read romances or mysteries. I read fast, and I
can never leave a bookstore (or grocery store! Or Walmart!) without a book in
my hands. In college, my favorite place to hang out in was the local
library-not the college one!
When I was a child, the library was an important place for
my family to visit. We brought home loads of books. We couldn’t afford to buy
them. How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
I try to keep focused
on what is important and not get too stressed about things that don’t matter
all that much. I rarely worry about a messy house! As far as writing, I usually
have a bunch of deadlines, so I try to concentrate only what is due next, not
what is due a month from now.
How do you choose your characters’ names?
I use a baby name
book-the kind expectant moms would buy! For my Amish books, I have copies of The Budget, which is the Amish
newspaper. I get all my names from people mentioned in the regional reports.
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Personally, it’s that
I’ve been married 23 years to my college sweetheart and that my college-aged
kids still like to come home. Professionally, it’s making the New York Times
Bestseller List.
If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
Ha! Hmm…I guess I’d
be a mole.: ) I’m very comfortable staying home and kind of hiding out from the
rest of the world. Especially in the winter!
What is your favorite food?
That would be
cookies. I love to bake cookies, and have been known to eat too many.
What is the problem with writing that was your greatest
roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
As far as actual
writing, my greatest roadblock was when I once had a heroine who completely did
not want to follow my outline or goals for her! I ended up praying a lot, and
asking God to help me meet my deadline, and have the strength to believe in the
story and the heroine enough to ignore the outline and my fears.
I also have to say
that selling A Texan’s Promise was a tough
roadblock, too. The manuscript went to many editorial boards and was “almost”
sold, but then rejected, for various reasons. I had to learn that there is a
time for everything, and that I needed to be patient and wait for this book’s
time. Once again, God’s timing was perfect.
I know what you mean about that. My McKenna’s Daughters
series was like that. Tell us about the featured book?
A Texan’s Promise is a western historical romance set in Texas and Colorado
I wrote the book for
fun on weekends and in the evenings. I guess you could say in a lot of ways,
it’s the book of my heart.
Please give us the first page of the book. Here you go:
“Vanessa, honey, why you crying?”
Clayton! He stood in the
doorway to the stables, his presence both a soothing balm and a source of
panic.
Vanessa gingerly leaned back
against the wood behind her, willed herself to relax, but it was no good. It
was going to be some time before she could calm down again. “I’m sorry I woke you.”
“You didn’t.” His eyes narrowed as
he stepped closer. “It’s midnight. Isn’t it awfully late for you to be out of
bed?”
Yes. Yes, it was. It was too late
for a lot of things now. Wiping her eyes with the side of her fist, she shook
her head. “I’ll go in soon.”
Clayton crouched beside her, his
knees brushing her skirts. A puff of dust flew up, mixing with his scent, all
bay rum and horses. “Care to tell me what happened?”
She was thankful for the darkness.
“No.”
I can’t wait to read this book. How can readers find you on
the Internet?
I
hope readers will visit my website: www.shelleyshepardgray.com,
or on Facebook, too! I write a blog a few times a week, and am on FB almost
every day.Thank you, Shelley, for the interesting interview.
Readers, here's a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
A Texan's Promise - Book #1 in The Heart of a Hero Series
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