ONCE UPON A THANKSGIVING - Winnie Griggs - Free Book

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

I’ve just completed work on an historical set in 1850s Boston about an Irish immigrant who has come here to escape the potato famine. I’m now working on a proposal I’m hoping my editor will like that will kick off a four book series about four individuals who survive a single disaster and shows how their lives were changed by the event.

Tell us a little about your family.

Well, let’s see. I’ve married for 35 years to my college sweetheart who happens to be a cattle rancher. We have four adult children, one married, one engaged to be married and a pair of adventurous twins who enjoy travel and giving their mother gray hairs! Our extended family is quite large - I have four siblings and my husband has five - and our family gatherings are both boisterous and fun.

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

Deadlines have played havoc with my “free time.” I’m afraid I don’t read quite as voraciously as I used to. Where I used to consume at least one book a week, often more, I’m now lucky to get in a book a month.

What are you working on right now?

I just got the revision letter for my June 2012 book so I’m busy trying to get that put to bed. This is a Love Inspired Historical continuity book, which is series of connected books each penned by a different author. Mine is the third of three and the thread that ties the books together is that each book follows one of three sisters that immigrate from Ireland to America in 1850.

What outside interests do you have?

I enjoy cooking, and I also like to go to estate sales.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

I was born and raised in SE Louisiana (near New Orleans) but have spent the last 30 or so years in NW Louisiana (near the Texas and Arkansas borders). Those are two very different worlds and I draw from both of them when I’m writing. When I’m working on historicals, my favorite setting is East Texas, which has a similar feel to the place I live now.  When I’m working with contemporaries I like to pick locations in south and south-central Louisiana.

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

Hmmm, that’s a tough question, one I haven’t ever given much thought to. I guess, just off the top of my head it would have to be Thomas Edison. He’s always fascinated me, just because he was responsible for so much change in the way we interact with the world around us.

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

How much is involved in being a writer besides just the process of penning our stories. From the development of art fact sheets and front matter, to the polishing and editing, to the marketing and promo, there is just a lot of other “stuff” that takes a writer’s time and attention.

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?

The value of patience. One of the hardest things for me to do is to just be still and listen for His guiding word. Time and again I’ve tried to wrest control from Him, to my detriment.

What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?

·         Write. Write every day. Write even when you don’t feel like it.

·         When you’ve finished a work, to the point that it’s been critiqued and polished, send it out into the world, then immediately start something new.  

·         Work on identifying your own voice and then be true to it. While you want to give careful consideration to critiques you receive, make certain that in your eagerness to implement suggested changes you don’t lose what makes the story and the writing uniquely your own.

Tell us about the featured book.

Home For Thanksgiving is the story of two people who have been badly hurt in the past, but who are handling that hurt in very different ways. Griff Lassiter has closed himself off from any more “emotional entanglements,” preferring to make his way alone rather than risk further hurt. Ruby Ann Tuggle, on the other hand, has opened herself up to the possibility of a brighter future and is actively looking for the silver lining in her life. When their paths cross, these two seemingly opposite people must learn how to work together and draw on each other’s strengths.

Please give us the first page of the book.

It was now or never.

Ruby Tuggle had been sitting in the hotel lobby when Mr. Lassiter returned from whatever business he’d been conducting. She’d watched him climb the stairs to his room, looking as though he’d had a rough day, and then come back down thirty minutes later, cleaner but still tired looking.

From her seat in the secluded corner of the lobby she’d had a clear view into the hotel dining room. Watching his profile as he ate his meal, she’d tried to get some sense of the man himself.

She’d memorized the way his dark hair tried to curl around his ears, the way it just barely touched his collar in the back and the slight impression of where his hat had rested. She’d watched the way he politely interacted with Mrs. Dowd when she’d brought out his food, and how he’d kept to himself otherwise.

And the more she studied him, the more solid her gut feeling grew. No doubt about it, he was a good man, and God had put him in her path to help her.

Just now he’d set his cutlery down, sat back and reached for his glass, a sure sign that he was nearly finished with his meal. Soon he would get up and return to his room. If she didn’t gather her courage to speak to him now, she likely wouldn’t get another chance.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I love to hear from readers! My website is www.winniegriggs.com and I’m currently the only Winnie Griggs on facebook so drop by there and friend me as well.


Thank you, Winnie, for visiting with us again.


Readers, here's a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
 Once Upon a Thanksgiving: Season of Bounty\Home for Thanksgiving (Love Inspired Historical)

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.

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Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

THE PROPER WIFE - Winnie Griggs - Free Book

Welcome, Winnie. I've been wanting to feature you and this book. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

I don’t consciously put anything of myself into my characters, but of course who we are as people and the sum total of our own experiences can’t help but inform our characters.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Hmmmm - I’m afraid I’m a rather boring person so I can’t really think of anything particularly quirky that I’ve done. Oh, unless having a pet squirrel counts - I was about eight years old and his name was Squeaky. :-)

That counts. When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I don’t think I ever had a specific aha moment where I suddenly realized I was a writer. It’s just always seemed to be a part of who I am. I’ve always loved to read and would find myself spinning alternate endings or new adventures for some of my favorite characters, some of which I took the time to write down. And I remember scribbling original stories in grammar school.

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

Oh my goodness, my tastes are very eclectic. If you look at my bookshelves you will find that Romance dominates. In addition you’ll find Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery, Mainstream Women’s Fiction, and YA. I also love to read fairy tale collections.

I'm reading The Healer's Apprentic by Melanie Dickerson, which is loosely based on Sleeping Beauty. I'm loving it. How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

Who says I do? :-) But truly, I think the secret is having a few really good friends who are always there for you, who let you vent when you need to, cry when you need to and brace you up when you need it. I’ve been blessed to have a handful of such dear people in my life.

That is so true. Actually, my two grown daughters are two of mine. How do you choose your characters’ names?

There’s not any one method. I go through baby name books to get ideas, but I mainly just let my characters try on various names until I find one that fits.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Raising my four children to be the bright, responsible, giving adults that they’ve turned into.

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

I’d be a songbird - I just think it would be neat to be able to fly.

What is your favorite food?

Hands down it is my momma’s crawfish stew. Evokes all sorts of childhood memories and there is nothing else on earth like it. I’m somewhat embarrassed to admit I pig out on it on the rare occasions I get to eat it these days.

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

One of the things I still struggle with is pulling together a coherent, compelling synopsis before the book is complete. I normally have a clear picture of the opening scenes and a good idea of where it will end up but the middle stuff is foggy until I get there. I always want to just put ‘and lots of good stuff happens’ when I get to that part and tell the editor to just trust me :-). As far as how I overcome it, with a lot of blood, sweat and tears. I brainstorm, alone and with writer friends, until I can articulate several turning points that make up a logical story arc. And know that these may or may not be the actual scenes that make it into the final story.

Tell us about the featured book.

The Proper Wife features Sadie Lassiter as the heroine. Sadie is the younger sister of the hero from my book The Christmas Journey - she’s generous, spirited, fun-loving and anything but staid. The hero, Eli Reynolds, is desperately trying to establish himself and his young sister as prominent, respectable members of the community they’ve moved into. He’s looking for a proper wife, she’s looking for a loving family. The back cover blurb reads as follows.

Sensible, settled, steady... and not Sadie Lassiter.

Eli Reynolds knows what he wants in a wife, and the flighty Texas girl couldn’t be further from the mark. Eli has his nine-year-old sister’s welfare to consider - Penny deserves a mother who will give her proper care. But when bad weather strands Eli and Sadie together, he sees a new side to her character. She’s rash - but also resourceful. Instead of discipline, she has diligent faith. Her housekeeping skills are lacking, but she’s filled with humor and sweetness. She may not be a “proper” wife, but to save her reputation - and to take a chance on happiness he’d never expected to find - Eli will take her as his bride.

Sounds like a book I'd love to read. Please give us the first page of the book.

He needed a wife and he needed one soon.

Eli Reynolds strode through town, ignoring the intermittent drizzle as he pondered his current situation. According to the workmen he’d hired, the renovations to his newly acquired home would be ready by the end of next week. Once that was done he and Penny would no longer have a legitimate reason to remain at the boarding house.

Which meant his time was running out.

Because no matter what the cost, he was determined to be married, or at least have wedding plans, before he moved himself and his nine-year-old sister into that house. Mrs. Collins, the widow who ran the boarding house where he and Penny were staying, was doing a good job of watching over his sister for the time being. But leaving an impressionable young girl like Penny in the care of a housekeeper or governess every day while he went to his office at the bank was an unacceptable option for the long term.

Trusting a servant with such a precious duty had already resulted in one tragedy. He wouldn’t make such a costly mistake twice.

This business of finding a proper wife should have already been settled, would have already been settled, if he hadn’t so badly misjudged his field of candidates. He thought he’d found the right woman in Myra Willows. She appeared intelligent, mature, of good character, competent in the domestic arts - all the characteristics he was looking for. He’d actually been on the point of declaring his intentions yesterday when he’d been pulled up short by a bit of gossip.

I know I want to read it. How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website is http://www.winniegriggs.com/ and you can find me on facebook as well - as far as I know, I’m the only Winnie Griggs out there.

And thank you Lena for the opportunity to visit with you today.

You have blessed my and the readers of my blog today, Winnie.
 
Readers, here's a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.



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 6 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. Here’s a link.

http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/