RELEASE THE NOVEL IN YOU - Gina Conroy - One Free Book

Welcome back, Gina. What would you like for our readers to know about you personally?

My life has been in transition for the last 5 years, and I’m finally feeling a peace and stability in my life I haven’t felt in decades. I’ve worked really hard to become the person I’ve always wanted to be and in addition to writing fiction and writing books, I’ll be sharing about my experiences in a few nonfiction books I’m working on.

Tell us about your family.
I’m almost an empty nester with one a 16-year-old daughter at home who is independent with her own car and busy with school, theatre, and a job. But I cherish the late-night conversations with her. My other 3 sons are in various stages of life: two in college, and one pursuing a career in film and editing in Los Angeles. He recently went on tour with Idina Menzel to film and edit her documentary. I’m very proud of all my children who are following their dreams and using the gift God has given them.

That’s wonderful. Have you written other nonfiction books?

I plan to do a second book in this series called Strengthen the Novel in You. It will focus on the editing process. I also have several ideas for a series of genre writing work books: Release the Mystery in You, Release the Memoir in You,etc.

Do you have any other books in the works right now?

It’s been several years since I published fiction, but I overcame a huge hurdle this month when I published a new Christmas Mystery called Golden Belles are Wringing. It’s part of the 12 Mysteries of Christmas collection. I had written other novels since my last published ones, but I never finished or published them. About a year ago, I decided to do something that was difficult and that scared me. Since there was something blocking me from finishing and publishing a novel, I joined a collection so I’d have some accountability. It started off slow, but the last six months I focused most of my free time on this novel. There were many weekends I put in 16-hour days saying “no” to family events and friends, but I felt it was something I needed to do to prove to myself that I could do write fiction again. And I did. Now that I’m unblocked I’m making plans for my next novel, after a much needed rest, of course.     

Great. I’d love to feature you with the 12 Mysteries of Christmas collection. What kinds of hobbies and leisure activities do you enjoy?

About 8 years ago I started swing dancing, and I haven’t stopped. In fact, I’ve learned most of the ballroom dances and now teach beginners how to dance. I find such satisfaction in showing someone who thinks they can’t dance, that they can.

Why did you write the featured book?

Release the Novel in You started as an email course I taught. In the summer, I’d offered the course to our community college, and it was a hit, but it was hard for teen to fit the class into their schedule. That’s when I decided to put my course material in a workbook to reach more people and so teens and adults can get the basic elements of novel writing in an easy-to-use format. I hope to get this course online so more people can take advantage of the fun and easy approach to writing a novel.

What do you want the reader to take away from the book?

Release the Novel in You is the perfect prep for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month which is in November. You don’t have to read a big complicated book on the craft of writing to get your idea down on paper and write your first draft. Release the Novel in You takes you step by step through the brainstorming process and allows you work through exercises using examples from classic movies so you can follow the plots and see the elements that make up a story. In addition to plotting and characterization, I cover the basics of good writing. It’s marketed as a teen writing workbook, but many adults have enjoyed the simple process that helped get their novel idea out of their head and onto paper.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell my readers about you or your book?

If you’ve had a story idea burning inside for a while and have been afraid to tackle a complicated writing book, or you just don’t know where to start with your novel, Release the Novel in You will help you get your idea out of your head and on the page. It’s the perfect prewriting workbook for NaNoWriMo. Once you start to work through the story elements and prompts designed to further your story, you’ll see your story come to life. Then the rest is up to you! 

Official blurb

You have a novel inside of you - a dream to tell your story - but you don’t know where to start. Maybe you don’t even know what to write. Perfect! This book will release the novel in you! From idea to first draft, you will learn what every story needs to be successful. You’ll find your story and create three-dimensional characters people will want to read. You’ll learn to hook your reader and how to structure and craft a dynamic and powerful, page-turning plot that will have readers wanting more. In addition, you’ll review the mechanics of good writing and you’ll learn to write in a way that will have your words jumping off the page and painting a picture in the reader’s mind. Everything you need to get started on writing your novel is in this book. Don’t put your dream off another day.

Review

“How do you teach a young person how to write a novel?  It’s not enough to expose them to good books--although that is essential.  And they need more than simply a breakdown of plot.  All writers, regardless of their age or level, need to understand the nuances of story, the layers of a character, how to put a scene together as well as how to wordsmith their stories.  However, teaching a young person these elements can feel stale and overwhelming.  They’re driven by their passion--but they need a few rules and parameters to help them build a winning story.

Enter Gina Conroy’s terrifically fun and creative writing primer for teens-Release the Novel in You! Gina has a heart for teen writers and she’s put that heart into crafting a writing instruction book that doesn’t feel like a writing instruction book.  From its engaging and fun presentation, delightful acronyms, playful look at analyzing a story and application sections, it takes the rules out of writing and turns it back into what it should be—fun!  Practical and specific, it covers everything from story structure, to characterization, to the hero’s journey to writing fixes—everything an intermediate writer needs to take their story from an idea on the page to a novel.

I’ve known Gina for years—watching her learn these very techniques, put them into action in her novels, and help teenagers dive into the world of storycrafting.  Her techniques are guaranteed to put the fun back into learning how to write and to release the budding novelist in you!”

Susan May Warren
 RITA and Christy award-winning, best-selling novelist and nationally acclaimed writing coach 

Please give us the first page or two from the book.

Writing is P.L.A.Y! 

Elements of a Story

Writing is a form of P.L.A.Y. Sometimes it’s fun, sometimes it’s work, but it’s always worth it! Every story contains four elements. If one is missing, then your story is incomplete. Different writers and teachers may use different words for these elements, but in essence, they’re all the same. 

Playmate:        Who is your story about? What other people (or creatures) are in your story? (Character, protagonist, hero, heroine, villain) 

Location:        Where does your story happen? On earth or in a far away galaxy? (Setting) 

Action:              What happens in your story? (Plot) 

Your Game:      What is YOUR story about? Can you tell me in a few sentences? (Theme) If not, don’t worry. We’re going to explore several different story themes and by the end you should be able to know which game you want to play! 

Finding Your Theme

So are you ready to P.L.A.Y!!? Not yet!

Before you go out to play you have to decide on a game. And the game you play is only limited by YOUR imagination! Before you throw words on the page, you should think about your story’s theme, then decide which game is best to play with the theme you’ve chosen. Using YOUR imagination, the game play is endless!

What is a theme?

A theme is a universal truth, big idea, or a concept that touches all people no matter their age, status, race, or language.

A theme helps focus your emotions and conflict in the story.

The message is what you want to say about your theme, and the story question is the question your reader should ask throughout your novel. If done well, the message should be something your writer ponders after he puts the book down.

Themes and Story Questions

Explore these universal themes and questions, and write your thoughts next to the ones that spark a story idea.

Beauty

·             What is true beauty?

        Youth and beauty

        Fading beauty

        Vanity

        Beauty in nature

        Temporary nature of physical beauty

Dreams

·             Is there a price to pay for your dreams?

        Loss of dream

        Rekindled dream

        Disillusionment and dreams

        Emptiness of attaining false dream

        Fear of failure

          Fulfilled dream: Was it worth the cost?

Where on the Internet can the readers find you?

Email: gina@ginaconroy.com
http://ginaconroy.com
Facebook  Author Gina Conroy
Twitter @GinaConroy
Instagram @gina_conroy 

Here’s a link to the book:

https://www.amazon.com/Release-Novel-You-go-P-L/dp/1508555710

Thank you, Gina, for sharing this book with us. I was impressed with it the first time I picked it up.

Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. 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

DIGGING UP DEATH - Gina Conroy - One Free Ebook

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

In some ways my characters are all me, in others, they’re nothing like me. Most often the lessons the characters are learning are things God is trying to get through my thick head, but the circumstances my characters find themselves in are usually very different from my own. I’ve never been a single mom, or widowed, or divorced, or been an archaeologist, but I have felt like a failure as a mom and grew up in a divorced family. I’ve know what it’s like to try and control things when life feels out of control. I know how helplessness and hopelessness feels, and I’ve been learning what it means to truly surrender and rely on God.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Oh, dare I even bring it up. Not sure it was the quirkiest, but it was more like “WHAT were you thinking?” A couple of years ago at my children’s school event I entered the Karaoke “Most Embarrassing Mom Performance” and won. In my defense, I thought the prize was going to be way better than it actually was. Thankfully, I waited until the very end of the evening when they were putting up the table and chairs. Only a handful of people were there, though I did see one teen videotaping! Hopefully, it’s long gone and will never surface!

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

When I discovered I could express myself through the written word, better than the spoken word, I knew I was a writer. I was probably nine or ten, and I started journaling my feelings, dabbled in poetry and stories. In school, I’d be the student who always went way over page count. I guess still can be wordy. But when the words flow, there’s no stopping them.

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

I don’t care about genre, though I’d probably stay away from horror and erotica! LOL! It’s the story and the characters that grab me. I’m partial to women’s fiction, mystery and suspense, and I’ve been known to enjoy a historical romance and even Sci-Fi or Fantasy. I think that’s why I like to write in different genres. Though I’m only published in mystery/romance at the moment, I have suspense, YA, and women’s fiction collecting dust in my computer.

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

You think I’m sane? Ha, fooled you! All I do is run, run, run…and dance! Actually, dancing is how I keep my sanity. After writing, marketing, keeping up the house, and carting kids to and fro, I carve out ME time at least 2-3 times a week for an hour or more to dance. I started ballroom dance lessons almost two years ago, and have never looked back. Dancing is not only a hobby, it’s a passion with instant gratification, unlike writing which is a passion, but more of a calling and career for me. Writing took years before I saw any real fruit of my labor.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Sometimes I choose them by their personality or meaning. Other times a name just pops into my head and I know that’s their name. Sometimes a name doesn’t fit and they go through a name change. It’s different with every character.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

I hope I don’t sound egotistical or self-centered, but the accomplishment I’m most proud of is me. Through my life I’ve see God work and try and teach me things, but for some reason, I didn’t understand the lesson. I’ve been through rough times in my life and came out stronger. I’ve had a goal or dream, and despite opposition and fear of failure, pushed ahead and fought through oppositions to have some success. And I’m starting to get the lessons God is teaching me. THAT is a huge accomplishment and I hope that these things, truths in my life, will come out in the stories I write so I can share what I’ve learned and help others grow. THAT would be an accomplishment I’m most proud of.

What is your favorite food?

I honestly don’t have a favorite food. I love food in general. I used to be partial to Italian, but don’t eat it as much as I used to. Too many carbs which I’ve learned are not good for my body. I love trying foods from different countries. I enjoy sushi and lamb vindaloo (Indian,) but give me a good old fashion cheeseburger or sausage omelet with cheese. For my sweet tooth nothing is better than Ben & Jerry’s Chubby Hubby ice cream, or Reece’s Peanut Butter Cup Cheese Cake, but I don’t indulge in those very often. I even like health food and crave a yummy avocado, Greek yogurt with fruit, or a heap of hummus with chips. It’s amazing how my diet has changed for the better over the years.

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

Excuses … I never seem to have time to write, but I don’t think that is the entire truth. Yes, I’m busy, but I find time to dance … I think I’m afraid of tapping into the emotions needed to write a book. Not because I’m afraid to go there, but it involves a process and can actually drain me of emotionally energy. And with a husband, four kids and a dog, I rarely have any kind of energy at the end of the day. Once I go to that emotional writing place I need to go with my characters, I like to stay there for a while. Sometimes I just don’t have the amount of time needed to stay and really accomplish what I need to, so I guess I just make the excuse not to “go there.” That’s one thing I want to work on this year. And I’ve actually created a writing schedule for working on my fiction.

Tell us about the featured book.

“Gina Conroy has written a smart, fast-paced mystery in which vulnerable characters rise to the occasion. Single-mom Mari’s life is anything but mundane. Scars from her past mingle with the danger of her present while romance and a journey of faith impatiently wait their turn for a walk in her five-inch leather boots.” Tanya Dennis, writer, blogger, editor

Summary:

Archaeology Professor Mari Duggins is adjusting to life as a single mom and trying to balance a television career, but gets caught between the pull of her former flame, a field archaeologist, and her ex-husband who is wanted by the FBI on an antiquities crime. Then her colleague is murdered, and she gets in over her head as she searches for truth in a desert of lies. Mari Duggins’ life caves in as she tries to excavate the truth, but realizes only God can dig her out of the hole she’s created. Will Mari sort through her muddled feelings and put her trust in someone else before her world caves in? Or will the truth bury her alive?   

Sound intriguing. Please give us the first page of the book.

CHAPTER ONE

Monday, 7:42 a.m.
Texas, Lyndon University Basement

When I stepped out of my dressing room into the dim hallway, I should have heard death’s gentle taunting. I should have seen it hovering in the glow of the flickering lights. I should have felt it drawing me closer to the abyss. Instead, I rushed through the hall toward the campus television studio, my heels clicking on the tile like a ticking time bomb.

I dug in my red Coach bag, found my compact mirror, and held it on top of my latte while I dabbed my shiny forehead. It would have to do. I couldn’t be late for the biggest show of my career.

The intoxicating aroma of fat-laden pastries wafted my way, tantalizing my taste buds. Mental note: Find the Einstein who put the breakfast buffet between my dressing room and the green room and have him lobotomized. At thirty-two, I had a hard enough time maintaining my weight to please that mother-in-law of a camera. An impossible feat for anyone over a size two, I know. But my stubborn Sicilian heritage kept me in denial.

I dropped the mirror in my leather bag and slowed enough to take a clumsy sip of nonfat, sugar-free caramel latte, then gulped the creamy liquid, trying to appease my appetite.

It didn’t work.

The allure of the forbidden fat grams assaulted my senses, my stomach growling with Eden temptation. I glanced at my watch. 7:43. My heart lurched, then sprinted along with the rest of me. Seventeen minutes to D-Day.

I like it!! How can readers find you on the Internet?

If you can’t find me than you haven’t looked! LOL! Just try Googling me!

Or connect with me on:

http://ginaconroy.com
gina@ginaconroy.com
Facebook: Author Gina Conroy

Twitter: @GinaConroy

Pinterest: Author Gina Conroy

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

Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.

Digging Up Death (A Mari Duggins Mystery)


Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (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 Feedblitz, Facebook, 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

CHERRY BLOSSOM CAPERS - Gina Conroy - Free Book

Bio: 

Gina Conroy used to think she knew where her life was headed; now she's leaning on the Lord to show her the way.  She is the founder of Writer...Interrupted  where she mentors busy writers and tries to keep things in perspective, knowing God's timing is perfect, even if she doesn't agree with it! ;) She is represented by Chip MacGregor of MacGregor Literary, and her first novella, Buried Deception, in the Cherry Blossom Capers Collection, releases from Barbour Publishing in January 2012. On her blog Defying Gravity and twitter she chronicles her triumphs and trials as she pursues her dreams while encouraging her family and others to chase after their own passions. Gina loves to connect with readers, and when she isn’t writing, teaching, or driving kids around, you can find her on Facebook and Twitter.

Welcome, Gina. I've been looking forward to featuring you. How did your story  for the collection come about?
Several years ago when I was homeschooling, we took the kids on a cross-country trip up the east coast. I remember walking through Mount Vernon’s Mansion wondering if all the antiques were real and what would happen if one of them was a forgery? Samantha Steele, the mom character with her rambunctious kids came first, NOT that I would know anything about that sort of thing. Then came the snarky, but lovable, brooding security guard. Again, not that I would know anything about sarcasm... My fascination with archaeology, mysteries, and suspense rounded out the rest story and Buried Deception was born.

What are you reading right now?
I’m reading A Sound Among Trees by Susan Meissner and The Edge of Grace by Christa Allan. I’m an eclectic reader. I don’t just read in one genre. It’s a great story that captures my interest from historical romance to thrillers!

I’m like you. I love various genres of Christian fiction. What other books have you had published?

I have two nonfiction books published. Anytime Prayers for Everyday Moms, and Reach for your Dreams, Graduate. The first one was easy to write because the prayers flowed from my own mothering heart. And the graduate book was inspiring to write as I researched real life success stories of people like Hans Christian Anderson, Walt Disney, and Sam Walton and told their story of overcoming tremendous hurdles beat the odds to follow their dreams.

What is the hardest thing about writing a part of a novella collection?

Working with my novella partners wasn’t as hard as I was told it could be. We all shared ideas and input as to how our characters would interact, we set up an email group and chatted often about certain aspects of our stories and how our characters would play a part in other stories.

How did collaborating with this team impact you?
I got to work with a great bunch of women, Lynette Sowell, Cara Putman and Frances Devine. I already had an established friendship with Lynette and Cara, and got to know Frances through our email interaction. The biggest impact these ladies had on me was watching them write on contract and focus on the book they needed to be writing at the moment. I had the luxury of taking my time with the story, but watching them write with multiple contracts was inspiring and frightening knowing one day that’s going to be me.

How do you choose your characters’ names?
I take their personalities into consideration and try to pick names that fit. Sometimes a name just comes to me and I KNOW that’s it. Other times I might have to search baby name data bases to find the right one with the right meaning. For Samantha Steele, I wanted a name that spoke of independence and strength, but was still feminine.

What did you want the reader to take away from your story?
I hope readers realize that the theme of my novella is “surrender.” The hero and heroine in the story have different reasons for fighting to stay in control of their lives, but when they try and do things on their own, their situation gets worse. If they don’t surrender to God who has their best interest in mind, their lives will never be complete. Surrender is something God has been teaching me about over the last several years, and I know it’s not easy, but it’s necessary for growth.

Tell us about the story.

Cherry Blossom Capers

Four townhouse neighbors encounter romance and mystery near our nation’s capital. In State Secrets, White House assistant chef Tara Whitley and FBI agent Jack Courtland stop a plot to sabotage a State dinner—and find love still hidden in their hearts. In Dying for Love, attorneys and opponents Ciara Turner and Daniel Evans uncover love while searching for justice. In Buried Deception, archaeologist Samantha Steele and security guard Nick Porter dig up love while uncovering a forged artifact.  In Coffee, Tea and Danger, amateur sleuths Susan Holland and Vince Martinelli find love while investigating a string of mysterious accidents

My Novella: Buried DeceptionMount Vernon archaeology intern and widow Samantha Steele wants to provide for her children without assistance from anyone. Security guard and ex-cop Nick Porter is haunted by his past and keeps his heart guarded. But when they discover an artifact at Mount Vernon is a fake, Nick and Samantha need to work together, set aside their stubbornness, and rely on each other or the results could be deadly. Will Samantha relinquish her control to a man she hardly knows? Can Nick learn to trust again? And will they both allow God to excavate their hearts so they can find new love?

The stories sound like a fun read. Are you a member of American Christian Fiction Writers? If so, why?
Yes, I wouldn’t be published today without the help of friends and the connections I made at ACFW. It is a wonderful community of people with a common goal…to be published, but everyone is so eager to help each other succeed. Where else in this world can you find that?

What is the best piece of advice you received as an author?
Best advice is to allow myself to write BAD! I have a problem with over editing my first draft. I get hung up on the words instead of letting the story come out. Needless to say, this method of writing takes me a long time, so I’m giving myself permission to write awful to get to the end.

Where can my readers find you on the Internet?

On my blog,  Defying Gravity  I encourage others to pursue their dreams and share my writing insecurities and celebrations. But I also share fun stuff about my family like when my kids got a Disney audition call back!  For posts related to all types of writing, I blog ever Friday at Writer...Interrupted, the site I founded when I was trying to figure out how to balance raising my family with pursuing my writing career. 

You can follow me on my Facebook Author Page ,Twitter and my Facebook Page just for Writer...Interrupted.

Thank you so much, Gina, for the interesting interview.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using them when you order, you help support this blog.

Cherry Blossom Capers (Romancing America) - paperback
Cherry Blossom Capers - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (US residents only.) (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 Feedblitz, Facebook, 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