Don’t forget if you want Colleen’s most recent book, leave a comment with your email address or email me at margaretdaley@gmail.com. The drawing ends on Sunday evening.
1. What made you start writing?
I’d always wanted to write but didn’t start the process until I lost a younger brother in a tragic lightning accident. It was a wakeup call that if I ever wanted to follow my dream, I’d better get on it because none of us know how long we have.
2. How long have you been writing? When did you sell your first book?
I began that first story in 1990 but didn’t sell it until 1997. That’s seven, count ‘em, SEVEN years. God’s number, perfection, so I tell myself that’s all right! LOL
3. How do you handle rejections?
In the early days, I’d cry for a while, then I’d rework the book and send it out again. Some might see the editing process as rejection of how they wrote the book, but I love that part of it. I crave the feedback from my editor. It’s a team effort and we both want the best for the book!
4. Why do you write?
Writing helps me make sense of the world. The spiritual themes that make their way into my books are often truths that I’ve learned or am still learning.
5. What would you be doing with your free time if you weren’t writing?
6. What are you working on right now?
I just turned in a new Rock Harbor book. I’ve told myself I’m taking off the entire next month but I have a sneaking feeling I won’t be able to do it. Already the characters for the next book, a psychological suspense set in the Charleston area, are whispering to me.
7. Do you put yourself into your books/characters?
All the time. Every character, even the villain. Isn’t that a scary thought?
8. Tell us about the book you have out right now.
It’s called Anathema and it’s an Amish romantic suspense. A young Amish woman comes home from a secret tryst to find her family murdered by strychnine. She runs from the thought of forgiving the killer by marrying her beau—a terrible decision when he turns out to be abusive. After escaping him, she’s forced back to her Amish family to find out the truth about a child she thought was dead.
9. Do you have any advice for other writers?
Of course! ☺ Read extensively in your genre, attend at least one great conference a year (the ACFW one comes to mind) and never give up. Never give up. NEVER give up!
10. How important is faith in your books?
Faith is at the core of who I am. My books are written from my worldview that God exists and cares about us. That believe doesn’t usually come out in a heavy-handed way, but it’s woven through there if you look.
11. What themes do you like to write about?
I often start out with a theme but I find I’m writing about forgiveness before I know it. ☺
12. What is your favorite book you’ve written and why?
Oh wow, that’s like asking me which of my two children do I love the most! LOL I love each one when I’m writing it. I can tell you that my Rock Harbor books are the ones READERS email me about over and over again. Something about that search dog Samson. . . But then again, I get a lot of mail about the Aloha Reef series and Nani the dolphin. ☺
My new book Anathema is my current darling though. I have some Amish friends I dearly love. I feel such peace in their home so it was fun to visit there through the few months I wrote the book. And forgiveness is the beat of my heart so that made the journey even more enjoyable.
13. What is your writing schedule like?
Hectic! I write every day from about 9-4. Okay, I admit I do a lot of email in that time too. Okay, okay, maybe MORE than a lot of email. LOL I try to pound out the first, rough draft in about 6-8 weeks so that it’s easier to see how it’s all coming together. Then I spend more weeks polishing and honing, often changing entire plots. And yes, sometimes even changing the villain. ☺
Great interview! Would love to be entered in the drawing for Colleen’s book.
cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com
I love Colleen’s books and Anathema sounds just as wonderful. I would love to win a copy. Thanks for the interview Margaret. It was fun to learn more about Colleen.
pleblanc_1 at charter dot net
Thanks for the interview Margaret and Colleen. I’m on year four now, so I guess I’m not due to give up yet.
I’ve read several of Colleen’s books (and Margaret’s too) and would love to read Anathema.
Please enter me in the drawing.
eileenastels [at] rogers [dot] com
Oo oo oo, I’d LOVE to win a copy. Great interview!
georgiana.daniels at gmail dot com
I can’t wait to read Anathema, and the new Rock Harbor book Colleen said she just finished writing. But, Colleen, ARE you going to write another Aloha Reef book? Please?
I would love to be in the drawing.
sdjohnson@praisemail.com
What a great interview. I have enjoyed several of Colleen’s books and would love to win a copy of this one. Thanks!
Carrie
carrie(at)turansky(dot)com
Okay Colleen, just which part of you comes out in your villians?:-) I can’t wait to read Anathema.
Great interview Colleen. I love Colleen’s books and believe every single person in this world should own them all. So while I’d love a copy of the book, don’t enter me in the contest. I’d rather someone new to Colleen win it. They will certainly run out and buy all her backlist books.
Colleen do you plan to write more books in the Smoke Jumpers series and when? I loved FIRE DANCER! But then I love all your books. Even got my mom hooked on you.
Gotta have more fans for Colleen!
hugs,
WendyK
This book sounds fantastic! Please enter me…
Janna
ryanx6 at msn dot com
Hello, I have read a few of Colleen’s interviews and book reviews. Books that are set in the Amish country always fascinate me! It also has some suspense elements which are my favorite. Please enter me in your fabulous book drawing. Many thanks,
Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
Hey WendyK! I’m planning to write about Buck in Fire Dancer. I bring him a bit into Lonestar Secrets which comes out with the Bookspan book clubs (Crossings, Doubleday, Literary Guild, and Rhapsody) this summer. It will be available through the clubs for a year then out in the bookstores. The yet untitled third Lonestar book will be all about Buck. So stay tuned!
Mindy, the secrets that hide behind my smile, huh? LOL
Thanks Colleen. I have the first LONESTAR book.
I still don’t know how you keep all your series seperate.
My mom loved the Rock Harbor Series the best so far and the FireDancer.
I can’t say I have a fave, I love them all. But do you have a fave? A series that is like coming home to family for you more than others?
WendyK
PS sorry I’m later coming back but it’s been a long few days and my son is about to graduate from K this week!