CAROLE BROWN IS VISITING THE BLUE ROSE WRITING ROOM

I’m so excited to have Carole Brown is visiting the Blue Rose Writing Room today!

Welcome Carole!

So, let’s get right to it and learn a bit more about you.

Do you use a pen name/pseudo name? If so, why. If not, why did you decide to write under your own name?

No, I don’t. I thought about it and in some ways it seems like a fun and good decision, especially if a person wants to write several different genres. But I probably won’t be doing that. Most, if not all, of my work will have some level of suspense in it.

What’s one thing you absolutely can’t tolerate during your writing? One thing you can’t write without?

Too much noise. I like quiet or at least subdued music, talking, etc. in the background. Same goes with writing in a public place. It distracts me too much. I need my attention focused on the page/screen before me, not on what’s going on around me. And people are way too fascinating!

I’m like you; I need quiet to do my best writing.

Place you absolutely want to visit before you die?

Can I list several? I’d love to go to Spain, Italy, Australia and to Alaska to round out our list of states we’ve visited. A family trip to a certain island is in my plans too, and hopefully that won’t be in the not too far off future. J

I’ve been to Spain, but boy do I want to go to Italy and Australia. Hubby’s dying to go on a hunting trip to Alaska.

Why did you choose to write in this genre? Have you ever written any other genre? Do you plan on doing so in the future?

Why? Because I grew up loving Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, and lots of other suspenseful stories that kept me breathless and stirred my imagination. I’ve tried romance and had critique partners snicker and roll their eyes (forgive the body part use!) I guess I didn’t show enough romantic attraction. JSticking to suspense with a touch of romance suits me better. I can write contemporary suspense, historical suspense, romantic suspense (some of all these already) women’s fiction with suspense and romance (my current novel releasing October 21). I also have on the back burner of writing ideas a suspense with a touch of fantasy.

Is there any genre you won’t read? Write? Can you tell us why?

I can read most genres, or at least give them a try, but writing them is a different story. Still, as long as I can write suspense in a genre, I would probably tackle it if I got a great idea plot for it.

What are you most proud of about your writing?

How far I’ve advanced. I’m not bragging; just realize and acknowledge what a lot of growth I’ve done. I’ve certainly not arrived, but can see the progress, through great critique groups and writing partners, I’ve made. It hasn’t been easy and I still am growing.

I think that’s true of every author, isn’t it? It’s wonderful to see our progress, but there’s always more we can do to improve our craft.

How do you respond to negative reviews?

Haven’t had any yet, but if I do, and I read it, I hope I have the courage and grace to realize not everyone will like my story. Just because I have good reason to suspect (notice my wording. Lol) the reviewer is biased in their reading of it or may have not even read it (lol) doesn’t mean I need to reply with unkind words. Sometimes I think the best action is too ignore negativism. It’s always a smart move to ask others to give reviews which hopefully will counteract the negative review.

That’s a great attitude. Authors have to be a bit thick-skinned, because as you said, not everyone will like your story, and that’s okay. I haven’t liked every story I’ve read, though I don’t post reviews for books I haven’t enjoyed. There’s no point.

What is something you are determined to do?

The best that I can do or be. I believe with all my heart that I need to shoot for the stars. I may only hit the moon, but at least I’m higher than I would have been. The talents I’ve been given I need to use wisely and continually as I’m led. I don’t think anyone should hide them or let them gather dust!

What are you most afraid of?

Snakes and heights fight for top supremacy in my terror. I don’t like a lot of things, but these two would have to be the worst. I had a horrible experience once as a young person that has built on that terror. Of course, that fear has lent itself well in writing the use of snakes as a scare tactic in one of my books.

I’m chuckling here. I just wrote a post on what makes me nervous and heights was the first thing I mentioned. Spiders were also on the list.

Tell us something unusual, quirky, or odd about yourself?

I’m very decided in my likes and dislikes. I would hope not rude or ugly about it, but I know whether something appeals to me or not; whether a food is at the top of my list or a number seven, almost there but not quite; whether a book cover is (in my mind) a number ten or five.

That doesn’t mean I’m right and no one else is: just, for me, what feels right and is my own personal taste is what I like.

To add to that, I might say: we’ve been in ministry work for years, so I’ve always tried to be tactful, polite, and mellow in proclaiming my own thoughts on certain issues.

Okay, now for the quickie questions: Answer in three words or less. Ready? Go!

Favorite Disney Character? Winnie the Pooh

Favorite Fruit? Oranges

Favorite Hero? My husband J

Favorite Eye Color? Exotic green shades

Best Vacation destination? Anyplace with family

Food you can’t stand? Liver, gross foods

What annoys you? Rude, impolite people

Coffee, tea, or something else? Definitely coffee!

Nightgown or Jammies? Love luxurious nightgowns

Prefer dogs or cats? Dogs, friendly, obedient

A bit about Carole

CAROLE BROWN IS VISITING THE BLUE ROSE WRITING ROOM 2

Carole Brown’s debut novel is entitled The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman. Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, she enjoys mentoring beginning writers. She loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?

CAROLE BROWN IS VISITING THE BLUE ROSE WRITING ROOM 3

The blurb

How far would YOU go to avenge a daughter’s cruel death? Cara is considered rebellious and inappropriate to befriend. Dayne is the apple of Elder Simmons’ eye—until he takes a stand against their teachings. Can his prayers and love reach Cara and show her the way to redemption? Will Cara realize God’s love and forgiveness before she goes too far?

The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman is a novel of hope shining through the darkness with strong elements of suspense and romance and was a semifinalist in the Genesis contest. Release date is October 21, 2013 from the Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, an ACFW approved publisher. You can request it at your favorite book store or library or go to Amazon here:

On SALE NOW for preorder:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1938499948/

Enjoy an excerpt from The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman

Chapter One

Twenty years earlier

The shadow creatures on the wall shook their wings and legs. Heads with horns nodded. Scary, dark faces watched.

The little girl clasped her floppy-eared rabbit against her chest and stared into the dark.

“Mmm …” Mommy’s murmur reached to her through the walls, and the giggles from her mother tiptoed in, shooing the fear away.

Whoosh. She blew out a breath and squeezed her rabbit tighter. “Mommy has a friend with her, Ramsey. She loves me just like I love you and will give me hugs in the morning after the man leaves.”

Ramsey said nothing. She ran her fingers over his face and could feel his black button eyes staring at her, trusting her to protect him.

“And she’ll read to us and I’ll sit on her lap and we’ll snuggle—all of us together.” She nodded and tugged on Ramsey’s left ear then rolled over.

Real live whispers and laughter floated into the room.

Opening her mouth in a wide yawn, she patted Ramsey’s tummy and whispered again, “Don’t be afraid. I’m right here.”

“Please. That hurts.”

“Mommy?” The little girl frowned but her eyes wouldn’t open. Just like they did when she and mommy put cucumbers slices on their eyes.

“Stop it—”

Rubbing at her eyes the little girl sat up. Mommy had never sounded like this before, and neither had any of the men—the men who brought flowers and candy and money.