Welcome to Author Spotlight! Each week will feature a different author. We’ll get the scoop behind their writing life and dish a little. The authors will also be giving away a copy of their latest book. FUN.
This week Colleen Coble is in the Spotlight! To win a copy of her book, Blue Moon Promise leave a comment on this post!
Share a little bit about yourself. Married with kids? Empty nester? Do you work full-time and write when you can squeeze it in?
I’ve been married to the same terrific guy for forty years. We have two great kids. Our son lives about forty-five minutes from us and our daughter lives in the Phoenix area. Our son and daughter-in-law gave us the Perfect One (also known as Punky, real name Alexa) and we are nuts about her!
And share something about your writing. What’s your genre(s), your areas of interest…
I love writing a blend of mystery and romance. I love being on the edge of my seat when I read (and write) a story.
How did you get started writing? Did you have a dream of being a published author?
I wrote my first story in first grade. The teacher praised it and the seed of being a writer was born then. I put my own dreams aside for a while when I was raising my children, but when a younger brother was killed in a freak lightning accident, it was a wake-up call that I should get started on my dream.
After you started writing seriously–how long was it before you were published?
At first I didn’t know what to write, but as part of the grieving process when Randy died, we went to Wyoming to see where my brother had lived for a time. Standing on the parade ground at Fort Laramie, the first idea dropped into my head. I went home and wrote that story. It took a year. I was sure publishers were going to get into a bidding war over it! ☺ Not so much. It took six more years to sell it!
Aside from a cup of good, strong coffee, what helps you get all of your “brain cylinders” firing so you can write well? Do you have any favorite places and routines when you write? How many hours a day do you spend writing?
Coffee? Did someone mention coffee? ☺ Coffee is my mainstay and gets me writing every morning. First I answer pressing emails, then plunge into the writing process by nine. I sit in my recliner with my faithful MacBook Air and write until I get my word count in for the day. Some days it takes until two. Some days I’m not done until nine at night.
What has been the biggest help to you in the journey to publication? Writers’ conferences? Writing groups? Your mom as your first draft reader?
My husband has been my biggest supporter! When I would have quit in those early years, he encouraged me to keep on sending out that proposal. ☺
Is the “writer’s life” what you thought it would be? (Explain your answer)
It’s better and yet different. I spend way more time writing than I thought I would, plus there is all the promotional work to be done. But I love it all!
What are your biggest distractions?
My granddaughter! And well, email. ☺ I am a people person so the hardest thing about writing is the solitude.
What was one of the best moments in your career and what was one of the worst?
The worst moment was when I thought Thomas Nelson was going to buy my first book. The best moment was five years later when they actually did. ☺
What do you least like about being a writer? Most like?
I love the creative process. I’m a seat of the pants writer so I adore learning what my characters are going to do and where they are going to take me. The only bad thing about being a writer is that there is never any real vacation. I’m about to leave for Hawaii for three weeks, but I know I’ll have some work to do there. I always do.
What is the role and importance of an agent?
My agent’s impact on my career has been huge. I’d written eighteen romances when I got my agent, Karen Solem. I wanted to make the jump into romantic suspense and found Karen. She kicked the first Rock Harbor proposal to the curb for a solid year before she started sending it out. It landed on Ami McConnell’s desk which was a dream come true for me! Karen is so wise about publishing and about people. She has always guided me and much of my success can be laid at her feet.
What advice would you give to new writers?
Don’t make the mistake I made. Write that first book, polish it to the best of your ability and send it out. Then move on to the next book! You learn to write by writing. Don’t keep working that first book over and over.
Pretend I’m a customer at a bookstore looking for a good book. Give me a one or two sentence promo to convince me to buy your book.
Lucy Marsh’s worldly resources are running out, but she’s fiercely determined to care for her younger brother and sister. When she discovers that their father’s recent death was no accident, Lucy is eager to leave town. She accepts a proxy marriage she believes will provide safe refuge. But trouble follows her to Texas where her new husband is surprised to suddenly have a wife and children to care for.
What’s on the book horizon for you?
Tidewater Inn, the first book in my new Hope Beach series ships in the summer. It’s set in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. My editor says it’s her favorite book yet so I’m eager to hear what my readers think.
Last question, how can readers find you and your books?
They’re available at any book store and online everywhere. My website is www.colleencoble.com.
Thank you for sharing your writing life with my bleaders! (blog + readers = bleaders)
Thanks so much for having me, Suzanne! Great questions!
would love to read colleen’s novel…thanks for the chance 🙂
Really love reading Coleen’s books and would enjoy winning a copy of this one!
Thank you so much for the chance to win this book.
I enjoy Colleen Coble’s books.
Wow, you’re such an inspiration, Colleen! I love your books, and they are so inspiring and interesting. I can’t stop reading once I’ve started.
Hannah R.
hrollett@comcast.net
I am anxious to read Colleen’s new book. I love mysteries and am always looking for new ones to read.
Wonderful Interview!
I would love to win this book.
Thank you for the chance.
Many blessings to you and yours.
I’d love to read Blue Moon Promise! Colleen sounds like a wonderful author, I’ve read many glowing reviews of her work. A historical romance with some mystery is my kind of book. 🙂
Any new book by Colleen is bound to be a winner !!! =)
I Would love to win Colleen’s Book. I have Read Smitten and Lonestar Angel and loved them both.
Another great interview, Suzanne! Sounds like a good book, too.
Was a good interview Colleen. I have read every book that you have writting since the Rock Harbor series. They have all been superbooks and am looking forward to reading “Blue Moon Promise”. Also I understand you will be writing another Rock Harbor book. Please enter me in the “Blue Moon Promise” give away. Have been following you on your new mode of eating.
Blessings to you.
Pat Hines
221 West Franklin
Monmouth, Illinois 61462
pshines@frontiernet.net
Thank you so much for the Interview, very interesting as always.
Please add me to you giveaway.
Many Blessings
ingrids62448(at)yahoo(dot)com
Great interview! So sorry about the loss of your brother, Mrs. Coble. Goodness, how God uses the hard times in our lives and brings out the good! I look forward to reading your books!
It sounds like a wonderful book that I am really looking forward to reading.
I LOVE Colleen’s books. I have reviewed a couple on my blog. I would love to win a copy of this new one. Thanks for the chance!
I agree… great questions! I LOVE Colleen and have read most, if not all, of her books! Just finished Blue Moon Promise and really enjoyed it! I liked the way Lucy had to learn to give up control and trust the Lord… great reminder! 🙂 Thanks, Suzanne, for spotlighting her!
Thanks for sharing. I always enjoy learning more about authors’ backgrounds and inspiration!
Sounds so thrilling & exciting. It’s awesome how her husband is her greatest encourager, too. Having her precious granddaughter as a distraction is too cute. Maybe she gives Colleen ideas to write about 🙂 It sure would be interesting to meet Colleen at a bookstore for a Book signing….I’d ask whether she plans to write a series. Blue Moon Promise sounds like a sure hit. A Beach series! how exciting….a sure vacation reward. Best Wishes and may memories of your brother ever be a comfort to you dear Colleen. Sincerely, Ana Harshaw….to the winner enjoy the books (it’s on to the series 🙂
I would love to win and read this book.It sounds very interesting.Great interview.Thanks
I’ve loved reading Colleen Coble’s books. Enjoyed your interview. 🙂
I loved the interview with Colleen. Was very interesting. I would love to win her book. It looks and sounds very good. Maxie ( mac262@me.com )
Suzanne, I tried writing a comment to win Colleens book and it wouldn’t take it because it said it was a duplicate, and I had not entered before this.
Please enter me. Maxie ( mac262@me.com )
Oh gosh…I would LOVE to win Colleen Coble’s new book…’Blue Moon Promise’………..
Sounds great! Would love an opportunity to read. Thanks.
I’ve always wanted to visit the Outer Banks. Now I can if I read your book.
Would love to read this book. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy.
I would love to win a copy of her book! I’ve read a few of Colleen’s books and have enjoyed them all! Loved the interview.
I met Colleen in Massachusetts this year at the CBD and she is such a wonderful lady! I have read many of her books and since meeting her i now I have signed by her, would love another of her books, thanks for the chance
Love Colleens Books.
Loved the interview! I have so much respect for authors now that I have spent time reading these interviews – I guess I always thought that it was “easy” for the many writers out there – not the hard work it really is! Will add Colleen’s books to my reading list and can’t wait for the Outer Banks series
Thanks for the info. I would love to win a copy of her book. Please enter me in her contest.
This book is on my Amazon wishlist. Would love the chance to read her book.
What a great article, thank you for sharing, I can’t wait to read the book!
Thanks for the fun interview, Suzanne! And love chatting with you all. 🙂 Ana, some of the cute things my granddaughter does and says ends up in my books! LOL
I would love the chance to read Colleen’s Book. I enjoyed the interview! Thanks for the chance to win!
Colleen is one of my favorite authors. I read everything
she writes. If u haven’t u should. Her books r great!!
I really enjoy Colleen’s books, and would love to win a copy of Blue Moon Promise!
We lived in North Carolina for 4 1/2 years while my husband and I earned graduate degrees from Duke University, and I taught French in a local school. We were so busy that we never made a trip to the Outer Banks. Therefore I would love to win the book and read about the place.
Kaye Whitney
I really enjoy Colleen Coble’s books. I have read her Mercy Falls series and have Blue Moon Promise also. She is one of my favorite authors.
I absolutely LOVE Colleen’s books! Plus, she is fun to “chat” with on Facebook and email. She truly cares about her readers. I sure hope I win Blue Moon Promise!!
enjoyed reading the Q&A and learning about you, Colleen!
I love reading Colleen Coble’s books! It would be great to win one!
Would love to read this book! I have some of her other books and they are great!
Very nice interview. I have not read any of Colleen’s books but I am always up for a new author. This story sounds very interesting. Thank you for the chance to win her new book.
I love Colleen’s books, I have read almost all of them! I cannot wait to read the Blue Moon Promise.
I enjoyed your interview with Colleen Coble and would love to win a copy of her book:)
LOL, you had me at Lucy Marsh. Marsh was my maiden name. I have been wanting to read a Colleen Coble book. I won once but it got lost in the mail. If I win this one and love it, I am sure I will buy the other one. I have heard so much about her books that I think this has just got to be great.
I have never read Coleen’s books…would love to. count me in!
I love reading Colleen’s books. They always keep me anxiously awaiting the next chapter and the next books. She has such a way of telling a story. I would love to win a copy of this book. Thanks for the blog and the interesting answers from Colleen.
The Outer Banks is a great place for a novel to take place. Actually any place in NC is a great place!
It’s fun exploring new authors. Thanks you for the opportunity to try for one of Collen Coble’s books. She is a new author to me.
Would love to win. Colleen God has gifted you anduses your books as an encouragement and uplift. I love your books and have for a long time. God Bless
Looks great! I would love to read this!
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