Hello again! I hope you are all finding yourselves in the swing of the holiday season. I love the lights and the music and the glitter…okay, maybe not the glitter getting everywhere. But I just love this time of year. So much joy and goodwill!
On today’s blog, I am welcoming another author, Rachel Jones. She is dropping by to answer some questions and tell us about her book, Taking A Chance On Love. And she is offering a GIVEAWAY (details below)!!
Welcome, Rachel! First, tell us a little about your novel.
From childhood, Virginia Manning has planned for a career as a concert clarinetist. Blindsided by family circumstances, her plans are interrupted, taking her down a path she would never have chosen. As a music teacher, Virginia’s relationship with the football coach goes from problematic to romantic. After Blake’s brush with death, a scared Virginia runs away looking for the contentment music has always brought to her life.
Blake Oliver has experienced disappointment and pain, so he opts for a fresh start in a small New England town. Accepting the position of football coach, he isn’t looking for love when it finds him. When Virginia leaves to pursue a performance career, Blake realizes it’s not where you live but having someone to love that matters. His only problem is making her understand that as well.
I always ask about inspiration because I find the initial spark that ignites the story intriguing. What was it for Taking A Chance On Love?
I’m an accomplished musician and I love the arena of performing arts. I wanted to show how someone intent on following their dream would fare if they had to follow a different path.
Did you always want to be a writer? If not, what did you want to be when you were a child?
I wanted to be a teacher or a nurse. I taught in the public and private school setting for ten years before changing my profession to nursing.
So you have been living out your dreams! That’s great! When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I came to this realization after I finished my first manuscript, which I began at age fifty-seven. My writing began as a personal challenge. When I completed that manuscript and received a contract offer, I decided I wanted to pursue a writing career wholeheartedly.
We all have things that enjoy about the writing process and things we like a bit less. What part do you dread?
Listening to the comments from my critique partners, although I know their suggestions usually make my writing better.
Speaking of…do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer?
Set measurable goals. Write every day. Even a small word count of one hundred per day will grow to seven hundred words by the end of the week – words you didn’t have at the beginning of your week. Hone your craft. Read books and attend writer conferences or take online courses.
Great suggestions! Thanks! I know reading is a big one. Books on craft, but also reading fiction, absorbing others’ work. With that in mind, what are you currently reading?
I’m reading holiday stories. I’ve just started Melissa McClone’s “A Thankful Heart”.
One of the things that gets me in the writing mood is music. What kind of music, if any, do you listen to when you write?
I prefer to write in a quiet atmosphere. I know many writers listen to music while they write, but I have found I get pulled into the music and out of my writing. If I did listen to music, it would be classical music.
Do you have a favorite time of day to write? What about a favorite place?
Early morning, whether waking up or just coming home from work. My favorite place to write is in my office where I have everything I need to spend hours creating my stories.
How long does it take you to write a book?
At the present time with a full time job, it takes me twelve to fifteen months. I expect that to shorten in a few years after I retire from my nursing profession.
Tell us something about your newest release that is NOT in the blurb.
In his college days, Blake was a great athlete. He also possessed a polished singing voice that he never shared because of the memories associated with his singing.
Do you have any current projects your working on? Care to share?
I am close to finishing my third novel about a concert pianist struggling with illness and grief issues. The storyline includes a widower trying to build a new life amid family responsibilities that could pull him from his life in San Francisco back to Georgia permanently.
Thank you again, Rachel, for coming on the blog and for chatting with us today!
Taking A Chance On Love
Buy Links
More About the Author
A registered nurse by night and a writer by day sums up Rachel’s present life. This award-winning author spends her limited writing time composing stories about strong women and sweet romance. Her books reflect her love of the performing arts, and her career in healthcare has influenced the threads of medical drama woven into the storylines.
When she’s not working or writing, Rachel loves traveling, sewing and making music. She lives in Kennesaw, Georgia with her husband of thirty-eight years.
Giveaway
Author Rachel Jones is offering 2 eBook versions of Taking a Chance on Love. To enter the giveaway, simply comment on this blog post anytime between Friday, December 2nd and Friday, December 9th (by 11:59pm CST). Please feel free to ask a question, make a general comment, or respond to this question:
Have a hobby you wish you could turn into a job?