Welcome Amanda Cabot and Mastering Deadlines

Please interact with our guest authors by answering the question they provide.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

AMANDA CABOT has always been a dreamer, and so it’s no coincidence that her first books for the CBA market are called Texas Dreams. Set in the Hill Country beginning in 1856, these deeply emotional historical romances showcase God’s love as well as that between a man and a woman. The first in the trilogy, Paper Roses, was a finalist for the Carol Award. Scattered Petals received critical acclaim, and the final Texas Dreams book, Tomorrow’s Garden, has just been released. A former director of Information Technology, Amanda has written everything from technical books and articles for IT professionals to mysteries for teenagers and romances for all ages. She’s delighted to now be a fulltime writer living in Cheyenne, WY with her high school sweetheart/husband of many years.

TOMORROW'S GARDEN (Texas Dreams)
by Amanda Cabot
Published by Revell

ABOUT THE BOOK

As the seed awaits the spring sunshine, so one young woman hopes for a brighter tomorrow.

Harriet Kirk is certain that becoming the new schoolteacher in Ladreville, Texas is just what she needs—a chance to put the past behind her and give her younger siblings a brighter tomorrow. What she didn’t count on was the presence of handsome former Texas Ranger Lawrence Wood—or the way he affects her fragile heart. But can Harriet and Lawrence ever truly conquer the past in order to find happiness? Book 3 in the Texas Dreams series, Tomorrow’s Garden is a powerful story of overcoming the odds and grabbing hold of happiness.

Readers, buy your copy of Tomorrow's Garden today!

AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR FEATURE AUTHOR

Mastering Those Dreaded Deadlines

Do you hate deadlines as much as I do? I think part of the problem is the word. According to my dictionary, a deadline is "a line drawn within or around a prison that a prisoner passes at the risk of being shot." What an image! No wonder I don’t like deadlines. In fact, I prefer not to use the word at all.

Instead, I refer to them as due dates. Using a term that frequently describes the projected birthdate of a child seems much more appropriate. After all, what’s due on the date formerly called a deadline is another form of creation, a manuscript.

Whether you call them deadlines or due dates, they’re important parts of a writer’s life. Consistently meeting due dates is the hallmark of a professional writer. Whether the due date is for the entry of a manuscript into a contest or its delivery to an editor as part of a contract, it’s important – I’d even say vital – that the date be met. I won’t claim that it’s easy, but I offer four techniques that can improve the probability of meeting your due dates.

1. Set a realistic date.

If it’s already the end of March and you want to enter a completed manuscript in a contest on April 15 but you haven’t started writing, odds are that that particular date isn’t realistic. Don’t set yourself up for failure. Instead, plan to enter the contest next year. Similarly, if an editor calls to say she loves your proposal and wonders how soon you can have the completed manuscript to her, take a deep breath before you answer. Even better, tell her you need to work out the schedule and you’ll call her back. Then figure out how long it will take, realizing that it’s impractical to think you’ll work eight hours every day. When you’ve created what seems like an achievable schedule, add in a couple weeks for contingencies. Trust me, you’ll need them.

2. Create a picture of your goal.

Mental images are great, but I’m talking about a physical picture, one that’ll help motivate you. If your goal is to enter a contest, create a picture of a blue ribbon or a statue with your title on it. If your goal is to send a completed manuscript to your editor, create a picture of a book cover with your name and title on it. Once the picture is complete, make a number of copies. One goes on the refrigerator, another one on the phone, still another on the TV remote. The purpose is to remind you that your goal is your highest priority and that snacking, calling a friend or watching a must-see TV show are keeping you from meeting that goal.

3. Divide and conquer.

By that I mean, divide your project into small, manageable tasks, ideally ones that require no longer than a day or two to complete. By doing that, you’ll be able to determine whether or not you’re on schedule. Like the picture, it’s important to have more than a mental plan. You need a written schedule, showing when each chapter (or scene, if you break it down to that level) must be finished. The critical point here is to know whether or not you’re on schedule, and if you’re not, to take corrective action immediately. That leads to the last point.

4. Just say 'no.'

If you’re going to meet your due date, it’s almost inevitable that you’ll need to make some sacrifices. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: writing needs to be your highest priority. That means that email, Facebook and all the other things that take time away from writing need to be put in second place. And, if your schedule has slipped, that afternoon at the mall may need to be postponed until you’ve met your due date.

There’s no doubt about it. Meeting due dates is hard work. It requires determination and discipline. But you can do it. I know you can, because you’re a writer, and that’s what writers do.

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Thank you, Amanda, for sharing with us today.

Guest Question: What are some tricks you use to meet deadlines, or due dates? How do you stay on top of things or keep track?

Spotlight on Amanda Cabot and Scattered Petals

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

AMANDA CABOT has always been a dreamer, and so it’s no coincidence that her first books for the CBA market are called Texas Dreams. Set in the Hill Country beginning in 1856, these deeply emotional historical romances showcase God’s love as well as that between a man and a woman. The first in the trilogy, Paper Roses, is in its second printing, and Scattered Petals was a March 1 release.

A former director of Information Technology, Amanda has written everything from technical books and articles for IT professionals to mysteries for teenagers and romances for all ages. She’s delighted to now be a full-time writer living in Cheyenne, WY with her high school sweetheart/ husband of many years.

SCATTERED PETALS
by Amanda Cabot
Published by Revell

ABOUT THE BOOK

Longing for adventure, Priscilla Morton leaves Boston in 1856 and heads for the Texas Hill Country, never dreaming that the adventure she seeks could have heartbreaking consequences. Although attracted to her, ranch foreman Zachary Webster knows Priscilla deserves a cultured East Coast gentleman, not a cowboy who’s haunted by memories of his mistakes. When necessity draws them together, Priscilla and Zach begin to forge a life filled with promise. But then the past intrudes.

Book 2 of the Texas Dreams series, Scattered Petals, weaves a tale of drama, love and second chances as beautiful as the Hill Country itself.

Readers, buy your copy of Scattered Petals today!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. What gave you the inspiration for this story?

I knew I wanted Zach, who was introduced in Paper Roses, to have his own story, so I asked myself who would be the perfect woman for him. The answer came as a bit of a surprise. Who would have thought that a quintessential Texas cowboy like Zach would need a sophisticated East Coast lady? And who would have thought that Priscilla’s craving for adventure would bring her first tragedy, then healing and happiness?

2. How much of your own experiences influenced your characters? What aspects became traits that were theirs and theirs alone?

Fortunately, I’ve never endured the tragedies that marked both Priscilla and Zach’s lives, so it’s safe to say that my own experiences played little or no part in developing their stories. However, like most authors, I know that part of me creeps into each book. While my characters are never based on real people (including myself), my heroes and heroines frequently embody my personal values. Because I believe in justice and happy endings, readers will find that my protagonists do, too. They’ll also find the recurring theme of the healing power of love, since that’s something I believe in. As for my villains, they tend to be the antithesis of the heroes and heroines, and I’d certainly like to think they’re not based on me.

3. If your hero/heroine were an ice cream flavor, what would he/she be and why?

Zach would be fudge mocha, a strong flavor with unexpected undertones. As for Priscilla, she’s strawberry sorbet – light, sweet but with a flavor you don’t soon forget.

4. Are there any themes in Scattered Petals that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the story progressed?

All of my books seem to have an underlying theme of the healing power of love. I don’t always have that in mind when I begin the book, but since I believe in love (and justice, but that’s another story), there’s usually at least a hint of healing. Scattered Petals, however, was designed as a healing story. Priscilla, who’s been attacked by a bandit, needs to heal both physically and emotionally, while Zach’s healing is internal.

5. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

The first scene was an extremely difficult one for me to write. It was also a critical one, since it forms the foundation for my heroine’s journey to love and healing, and so – as painful as it was to research and ultimately write – I did it. That scene and the rest of the first chapter are available as an excerpt on my web site.

This is the second book in the series, and for me it was great fun to return to Ladreville, the fictional town I’d created in Paper Roses. I had gotten to know – and love – the people of Ladreville (most of them, that is), and so it was a pleasure to watch the next chapter of their lives unfold. For me, writing the second and third books in a series is a bit like returning to a dear friend’s home – more comfortable the second time around. (Oh, dear, that sounds like a line from a song, doesn’t it?) Anyway, I hope my readers feel the same way and that they enjoy this second Texas Dreams adventure.

6. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

The third of the Texas Dreams books, Tomorrow’s Garden, is due out next March. It continues the story of Ladreville and its inhabitants. Readers will recognize the hero, who’s introduced in Scattered Petals, but the heroine is new to the town. Here’s the two sentence blurb I wrote for my publisher.

Though Harriet Kirk is certain that becoming Ladreville’s schoolteacher is just what she needs – an opportunity to put the past behind her and give her younger siblings a bright tomorrow – she hasn’t counted on the presence of all too handsome former Texas Ranger Lawrence Wood, a man who’s trying to forget his own past. And then there’s her rejected suitor.

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Thank you, Amanda, for being in the spotlight with us.

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of Scattered Petals.

Make sure you also leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net). You won't be entered in the drawing without it. If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post.

And if you want to make certain you don't miss anything, check the box that says 'email follow-up comments to:' when you leave a comment and they'll be sent to the email address associated with your blogging account. That way you'll be notified of any comments and will know when the winners are announced each time.

This week, the contest is open to U.S. residents only.

Spotlight on Amanda Cabot and Paper Roses

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

With both parents avid readers, it's no surprise that AMANDA CABOT learned to read at an early age. From there it was only a small step to deciding to become a writer. Of course, deciding and becoming are two different things, as she soon discovered. Fortunately for the world, her first attempts at fiction were not published, but she did meet her goal of selling a novel by her thirtieth birthday. Since then she's sold more than twenty novels under a variety of pseudonyms. Paper Roses is her first book for the CBA market. When she's not writing, Amanda enjoys sewing, cooking and – of course – reading.

PAPER ROSES
by Amanda Cabot
Published by Revell

ABOUT THE BOOK

Her future stretched out like the clear blue Texas sky.

But a storm is coming.

Leaving the past behind in Philadelphia, mail-order bride Sarah Dobbs arrives in San Antonio ready to greet her groom—a man she has never met but whose letters, her paper roses, have won her heart from afar. But there is a problem—Austin Canfield is dead, and Sarah cannot go back East.

As Sarah tries to reconcile herself to a future that is drastically changed, Austin's brother Clay wants nothing more than to shake the Texas dust from his boots, but first he must find his brother’s killer. And then there's Sarah.

Something is blooming out in the vast Texas landscape that neither Clay nor Sarah is ready to admit, and the promise of redemption blows like a gentle breeze through the prairie grasses.

This Book One of the Texas Dreams series will sweep you away with a tale of love, loss, and tantalizing possibilities.

Buy Your Copy of Paper Roses today!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. What gave you the inspiration for this story?

I never thought of myself as a slow learner, but that was the case with writing for the Christian market. For over ten years, readers have suggested that I write for inspirational romance, but I demurred, not believing it was right for me. It took the death of a dear friend to convince me that it was time to write about God's love as well as that between a man and a woman. Watching her during her final months and seeing how her faith strengthened her was the turning point for me. In many ways, I consider Paper Roses part of her legacy – living proof that we never know how our words and actions may influence another.

2. How much of your own experiences influenced your characters? What aspects became traits that are theirs and theirs alone?

I'd like to say "nothing at all," but that's not true. Like most authors, I know that part of me creeps into each book. While my characters are never based on real people (including myself), my heroes and heroines frequently embody my personal values. Because I believe in justice and happy endings, readers will find that my protagonists do, too. They'll also find the recurring theme of the healing power of love, since that's something I believe in. As for my villains, they tend to be the antithesis of the heroes and heroines, and I'd certainly like to think they're not based on me.

3. If one of your characters were an ice cream flavor, what would he/she be and why?

I really don't know, so I'm leaving this one blank. :)

4. Are there any themes in Paper Roses that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the stories progressed?

The primary theme is forgiveness, but the book has many other aspects to it – the mystery of who killed Austin, Sarah's struggle to overcome her handicap, Clay's frustration with his inability to heal his father, the thefts and ancient hostilities that divide the town. It's one of the most complex books I've written, but – judging from the initial reader reaction – that's just what readers are looking for.

5. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

I imagine that most authors who answer this question can pinpoint a scene or a chapter. For me, the most difficult part is always the first draft. I write a synopsis, a chapter-by-chapter outline of the book and then two drafts. Although I love the whole writing process, my least favorite part is the first draft. I describe it as a skeleton – absolutely necessary but not very pretty. Ugly, in fact. I'm always relieved when that's done and I can start the second draft – the flesh and blood part. That's my favorite time.

6. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

The second Texas Dreams book is scheduled to be released next January. At this point, it's still going through the titling process and I don't know whether Revell will keep my working title of Scattered Petals. As part of the titling process, Revell asked me to describe the book in two sentences. For someone who's hard-pressed to stay within word count limits, that was a challenge, but here’s what I wrote for them.

All her life, Priscilla Morton has longed for adventure, and so she heads for Texas, never dreaming that the adventure will leave her alone, badly injured and dependent on a handsome rancher who reminds her of her worst nightmare. Zachary Webster knows he'll never marry, for that would involve admitting the biggest mistake of his life, but how can he refuse to help Priscilla, even if she's a reminder of his sin?

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Thank you, Amanda, for being in the spotlight with us.

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE copy of Paper Roses.

If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post. Make sure you also leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net). Wouldn't want you to miss out on winning a book. :)

And if you want to make certain you don't miss anything, check the box that says 'email follow-up comments to:' when you leave a comment and they'll be sent to the email address associated with your blogging account. That way you'll be notified of any comments and will know when I announce the winner.

This week, the contest is open to US/Canada residents only.

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