Author Amber Miller - DECEPTIVE PROMISES - Free Book

We're welcoming Amber Miller back for an interview with her third book in series.

Amber, God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?

Honestly, each step is a new one on this exciting journey. God has blessed me in more ways than I could imagine with this career, and I eagerly await all that He has in store. In the more immediately future, I’m working on a new 3-book series with the first book releasing in April. But, I’m also pursuing a break into trade-length from the mass-market fiction as well as seeking an agent. We’ll see what happens.

Tell us a little about your family.

I am married to another author, Stuart Stockton, who has his first book releasing in April of 2009. We are expecting our first child in March, and we live at the base of beautiful Pike’s Peak in Colorado Springs. We also have a half border collie, half flat-haired retriever named Roxie, who keeps life bouncing. Outside of our little circle, I have 3 brothers and my parents have been married for over 35 years. Stuart has 2 sisters and a brother, 3 aunts, 2 uncles, 4 cousins, 1 nephew and 1 niece. His parents have also been married 35 years.

Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?

Definitely! I’ve discovered books I used to enjoy that I no longer do because I have become quite a bit pickier than I used to be. As a writer, you have to be aware of the rules of writing and write what an editor will deem a worthy novel. Once you’ve established yourself and proven that you can meet those guidelines, there is a bit more freedom granted. I’ve found that I can’t usually get into a book that hops in and out of point-of-view characters within a scene or includes a lot of telling and not showing. And books with pages and pages of nothing but narrative without interspersing dialogue usually don’t hold my attention.

What are you working on right now?

I am on books #5 and 6, which are the second and third in my next series, set in historical Detroit during the Industrial Revolution. The time span of the series is from 1875 through 1907, covering 2-1/2 generations. I also have 2 historical 3-book series, one set in Colorado and one in Wyoming, as well as 2 contemporary standalones that I’m shopping around.

What outside interests do you have?

I love to travel, enjoy photography, have fun designing web sites (especially for other authors and speakers), relax when watching old movies and listening to music. It’s rare for my home to be “silent” even if it’s just music playing in the background.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

Generally, I will read a story in the paper, hear a report on the news, or see a house or a building and start asking questions. Once in a while, the setting is changed to a place I can research easily if the original location looks like it might be difficult. But, for the most part, the setting comes as a result of the research I do. I’d say the setting chooses me. I don’t choose it.

If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?

Some of the names that come to mind are Abraham Lincoln or George Washington or John Adams. But, I’m going to go back even farther and say I’d love to spend an evening with Mary, the mother of Jesus. During this Christmas season, her acceptance of God’s plan for her life and her willingness to do what was asked of her, despite her fears and uncertainties are quite an inspiration. None of know exactly where our lives are headed, but if we make up our minds to say “yes” no matter what, I think we’ll discover amazing things.

What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?

Well, I am not the common story, or what appears to be the more popular path taken in the publishing world. I was published before I turned 30 and have books released before any kids have come. So, I have already established a pattern and routine and placed a certain spotlight on my writing that will transition with the growth of my family. What this means is that I won’t have to try to convince my family of the importance of my writing and my career. They will see it first hand and know it from the start.

But if I could latch onto something I wish I had known, it would be the knowledge that being younger in this industry isn’t always better. It just means I have to work twice as hard to be accepted. I have often encountered folks who are fifteen or twenty years older and more, who have treated me with the belief that because I have not passed certain rites of passage or earmarks along the way, I don’t qualify as a bonafide success or one who can offer any advice to others.

On the flip side, I have encountered others who have been inspired by my goals and determination and have found their own inspiration as a result. They commend me for going for what I wanted early in life, and gain a newfound desire in their own lives. The numbers in this group far outnumber the ones in the first group, but that doesn’t mean the struggle is any easier.
I also wish I had known how much marketing would be required on a constant basis to keep your name out there. It’s a trial-and-error basis, finding your niche and what works. But, it would have helped to have a heads-up at the start.

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?

Trust. The past few months have been a bit rough with the economy and seeing a lot of my design business decline. People are cutting everywhere they can, and a web site is an expense that can wait for most. Plus, income as an author is sporadic. But, regardless, God always provides, even if it’s just a few extra dollars to get us through the next day. I have a tendency to be concerned about paying bills, but God is telling me to trust Him. He’s got it all under control and He will provide. My security is not in my job. It’s in Him. And it’s a daily process for me.

A lot of people are learning that right now. James and I went through just such a period when we were younger. What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?

One, study the market and familiarize yourself with what’s selling or what looks like it’s going to be a big seller. Two, network with other authors and industry professionals to glean wisdom from their experiences, as well as instruction on the writing craft. Three, read, read, read…especially in the genre where you write, so you can improve your own skills.

Tell us about the featured book.

Margret Scott is approaching adulthood during the American Revolution and the forming of a new nation. She gets involved with a spy, and her actions could endanger herself, her family and the man she comes to love.

Is deception fair in wartime? Margret Scott finds she must deal with this question as she becomes attracted to the enigmatic Samuel Lowe. As the tensions grow between the colonists and the British soldiers and loyalists, Margret struggles to determine where Samuel's loyalties lie, despite his reassurances that they lie with the colonists. Samuel's duties have him working for both sides of this war, and he is often torn between what is right and what is wrong. He promises Margret she can trust him, and Margret promises him she does. But can promises born in deception be trusted? Can relationships built in uncertainty survive?

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I have an author web site at http://www.ambermiller.com/,

a blog at http://ambermillerauthor.blogspot.com/

and my business web site at http://www.eagle-designs.com/.

I also am a team blogger at Bustles and Spurs, http://bustlesandspurs.blogspot.com/, where I blog on the 18th of every month with several other historical western fiction authors. If historical fiction is your thing…this blog is the place you want to be!

Thank you, Amber.

Readers, check out all of Amber's web sites. I'm also a team blogger on the Bustles and Spurs blog, and I blog on the 13th of every month, so I just posted yesterday.

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of Deceptive Promises. But don't forget to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. I haven't heard from any of the winners from yesterday or last Saturday.

Author Amber Miller - Free Book

Today, I'm introducing you to one of my good friends, Amber Miller. Her debut book Promises, Promises is a new Heartsong Presents romance.

Welcome, Amber. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

As most authors would likely say, there is a little bit of themselves in every character. For me, it’s my perception of the characters I create and how they might react in any given situation that is an extension of myself. That perception is based upon my experiences and observation of other people, and a part of me can’t help but come out in some way through my characters.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Wow, this is a tough one. I actually had to ask my husband because I couldn’t think of anything. But, when I looked at other words for ‘quirky’ and found unique or eccentric, I figured out something that would work. Anyone who knows me knows about my colorful Tiki bird slippers. Owning them alone is quirky, but I take it one step farther and wear them to an annual professional conference each year at ACFW. www.acfw.com

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

That would be years ago. I wrote my first short story in 5th grade with several accolades from both my teacher and my fellow students. It was even entered into a Young Writers of America contest and placed but didn’t get selected. Ever since I learned to read at age 3-1/2, I’ve been telling stories. Writing seemed to be a natural progression from the verbal. Although I continued it as a hobby for years, it wasn’t until 1997 when I wrote my first fan fiction and received a lot of encouragement and feedback that I realized I might be able to make something of this ability. It took me another 5 years before I took the step professionally to begin a career. Now, 5 years after that, I’m a published author and taking this rather scary step into the world of authorship.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

For the most part, I read historical, but I also enjoy contemporary romantic comedy, women’s fiction (or issue-driven stories) and cozy mysteries. Because my reading time is more limited now that I’m writing, I have to be more selective. What I look for is a good story, well-developed characters and a believable situation where I can relate to what the characters are experiencing or accept that they react the way they do. I want characters to have jobs, be well-grounded in faith and family and have strong motivations for their actions without seeming two-dimensional.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

Who says I’m sane? :-) Seriously, though, I just take things one day at a time and try to not worry about tomorrow. As the Bible says, tomorrow will take care of itself. Worrying won’t add anything to my life, so I do my best to do what I can and leave the rest to God. I have found that if I do the best that I can, everything else has a way of working out. I also always take time each night to unwind and relax before going to sleep. I make certain to do something just for me and have improved my ability to say "no" to avoid over-committing myself. Of course, now that I am shifting gears into the world of publishing, I’m sure I’ll be facing those challenges all over again. I only pray I can continue to maintain peace despite the hectic pace.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

I have two books that provide both the origin of the name and nationality as well as the Biblical meaning behind it. When I select my names, I usually run through a few in my mind, then I go to the books to look up their meanings. If I have to decide between more than one name for a character, it all comes down to the meaning. I select the one where the meaning matches the personality and the motivation of the character.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

That would be completing my first book, because not only did it prove to me that I could finish a book, but it also provided me the confirmation that I was in fact a writer. I learned so much in the writing of that first book. Although it has yet to see a contract attached to it, I believe it taught me a lot about myself, about my goals, and about where I want to go in my career. It also confirmed my talents that God has given me and showed me that I can use them successfully.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

Without a doubt, an eagle. The primary reason would be that when eagles are faced with a storm, they don’t allow the storm to bog them down or deter them from the path they’re taking. They also don’t land and wait for the storm to pass without fighting back. Instead, they fly through the storm, fighting the winds and rain and obstacles until they are above the storm and can continue on their path. They also mate for life, and I’m equally committed to my husband in the same way.

What is your favorite food?

Cheese. I’m not sure if that can truly be considered a food, but if you put cheese on something, I believe it makes it much better. Obviously, there are some foods where cheese doesn’t complement it, but in a general sense, it’s my favorite. If you’re looking for a food type, I’d have to say Italian, but not the ones that are loaded in the sauces; rather, the ones that have the vegetables and vinaigrette and lighter sauces with the spices and seasoning.

Tell us a little about your journey to publication.

I stated some of it above when I first learned I was a writer, but continuing from the I decided to pursue a professional career by joining ACFW, I have done everything I could to improve my skills and develop my craft. I bought writing books, studied a wide variety of fiction, conversed with other writers and authors, attended conferences and soaked up as much information as I could handle. Four years after beginning that pursuit, I sold my first book. Was it easy? Not in the least, but the results have more than paid off the hard work. It took a lot of determination, patience, resilience, and making myself put my rear in the seat, even when that was the last thing I wanted to do.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

That would have to be recognizing my pet mistakes and learning what to do to correct them and not make them again. Thankfully, the general issues like point-of-view or showing vs. telling didn’t present as much trouble as they do for a lot of beginning writers. For me, it’s often the lack of description of the surroundings and setting the scene that caused holes in my stories. Dialogue always came easy as did the progression of a scene. But establishing unique descriptions or characteristics for my characters to make them individuals in their own right and not cookie-cutter or two-dimensional continued to vex me. So, I went back to studying other fiction books to see how other authors did it. I also asked Linda to point out to me areas where I could develop a character more and to give me an example of one scene before and after. The Writer’s Digest books on Characters, Description and Setting also were of great help to me. Other than that, I sent my manuscript or troubling scenes to readers and asked them to make comments on what worked or didn’t work for them. Once I got that feedback back, I read it over, then stepped away for a day or two from my book to digest it. When I returned, I had a fresher outlook and perspective that enabled me to do what was needed. Sometimes, it was a small fix, and other times it required multiple alterations throughout the book.

What advice would you give to others who are trying to get their first book published?

Don’t approach editore in the bathroom and try to pitch your idea or hand them your manuscript! LOL! Seriously, though, study the books that the house you’re targeting publishes, know what they are looking to find, ask questions of them or of other authors already published with their house, and present yourself in a professional manner so that they are interested in you as well as what you write. As an agent told me just last year, editors are often looking to connect with you as a person as much as they are with your writing. After all, the marketing department can’t just sell a book. They have to sell the author too, and it’s easier to market a book if the author is approachable as well as willing to assist in the marketing. Establish your web presence and start the word-of-mouth beforehand to get potential readers interested. Register your domain name now and set up a web site or blog, even if it’s just one page. If you’re serious about writing, you should have a web presence set up yesterday. This will give readers a chance to connect with you and learn about your. It’s happened before that if an editor is down to choosing between two potential authors, and one author has an active web site where the other author doesn’t, the author with the web site usually wins. You can do the site yourself with the free resources out there, or hire a professional. It can be simple or it can be elaborate based upon your goals. Anything you can do to make the publishing house’s job easier, go for it. Gone are the days when an author submits a book and sits back while the publisher does all the work. So, work on your presentation to people at the same time you work on your writing skills.

What would you like to tell us about the featured book?

It is the first in a 3-book series set in Delaware. These books are part of Heartsong Presents’ State Series, and I am covering the historical beginnings of the little, but significant state of Delaware during the Colonial period.

Here is a synopsis: Has God forsaken Raelene? Raelene Strattford knows God has promised never to leave or forsake her. But after the catastrophic deaths of her parents, she doesn’t believe it. What kind of God would take a girl’s family and leave her alone in a wild land where women have no voice? Gustaf Hanssen has admired Raelene from afar for a while, but his poor attempt at courting her in the past has made him unwelcome in her life. When Gustaf promises Raelene’s dying father that he will take care of her, he finds himself bound to her happiness, her success, and her well-being in ways he never imagined. To keep his word, must Gustaf really oversee all of Raelene’s affairs, find her a husband, and maintain her farm, while she does nothing but scorn him? Can God reach through Raelene’s pain and self-centeredness and give her the love that awaits, if only she will accept His will?

Thank you so much, Lena, for featuring me and my first book. It’s great to be on this side of the interviewing process after two years of spotlighting other authors on my blog as well. Here’s to continued success for us both!

Thank you, Amber, for spending this time with us.

Readers, you can find out more about Amber Miller at these web sites:

BLOG/web site - www.ambermiller.com
ShoutLife - www.shoutlife.com/ambermiller
Shelfari - www.shelfari.com/ambermiller

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