Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Author Ann Shorey - THE EDGE OF LIGHT - Free Book

I'm happy to welcome Ann Shorey with her debut novel. Ann, tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

A little bit of myself works its way into many of my female characters. In The Edge of Light, the little girl, Luellen, is me as a child.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

My husband and I danced on a tabletop at a military ball when we were dating, just like in the old Fred Astaire films. Crazy, but fun. Neither one of us drinks alcohol—we were just in love and goofy. Fortunately, the table held our weight or it wouldn’t have been so funny.

How romantic. When did you first discover that you were a writer?

When I was in high school. In my junior year we were given an assignment to write a story. When my English teacher handed the papers back, she encouraged me to continue writing. Before that, I’d made up stories and scenarios with my sister all through our childhood—just didn’t write them down.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

Almost everything but sci-fi/fantasy, and even some of those if the story captures my imagination. I’m never without a book or two on my nightstand. I love historical novels, literary fiction, and read mysteries for fun. I also enjoy nonfiction, such as Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air. One of the best things about reading is being entertained while learning new things. A recent novel, The Hearts of Horses, by Molly Gloss, is a good example. Her captivating story is set in eastern Oregon during World War I. It fascinated me to learn how that conflict affected families in rural areas. And of course, as a writer of historical fiction, I read many nonfiction books for research.

What other books have you written, whether published or not?

I wrote a nonfiction family history, which was privately published in 1998. The title is A Great Cloud of Witnesses. That’s the project that inspired my fiction series. I’ve also written a couple of “practice” novels, which I’m now grateful were never published.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

With quiet times of Bible reading and prayer; walks with my dog; and escaping into a good book.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

I look for names that reflect my characters in some way. For instance, in The Edge of Light, there is a blacksmith named Jered Pitt. To me “Pitt” sounds kind of dark and harsh, which fits my image of this character.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

I’d have to say it’s the friendship between my grown daughter and myself. Throughout her childhood, I prayed we’d have a lasting, loving relationship, and the Lord has graciously granted my request. On the professional level, I am thrilled to have my three-book series, At Home in Beldon Grove, contracted by Revell.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

A wild and free lioness. I love the desert, and the images of lions in Africa conjure up warmth and freedom. On the practical side, being a beloved dog would be comfortable, but there’s something about the idea of running across the open veldt just for the joy of it . . .

My friend, Lisa Harris, who with her family is a missionary in Africa, often has videos of lions they've seen on her blog. I love watching them. Now what is your favorite food?

Chocolate.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

Discouragement. So often I’d be on my knees asking the Lord if He really wanted me to write, or should I quit? I never sensed Him telling me to quit, so I persevered.

I spent many years like that, too. What advice would you give to an author just starting out?

Consider your first book or two as practice runs. There’s no better way to learn to write fiction than to write and re-write. If a book is rejected several times, learn from it and start another. Take your writing seriously and don’t let people diminish your dream. Go to every good conference you can afford and take the classes offered that pertain to your work.

What would you like to tell us about the featured book?

The Edge of Light is set in 1838 in Missouri and Illinois. Molly McGarvie has three small children and is pregnant with her fourth when her husband dies of cholera. She believes life can’t get any worse—but it does. The story offers a look at women’s lives in a time when their options were severely limited. According to advance readers, how Molly carries on in the face of disaster is page-turning fiction.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

http://www.annshorey.com/

Thank you, Ann for spending this time with us.

Readers, you can order The Edge of Light by using this link:

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book.

34 comments:

Deborah said...

please enter me! i've been dying to read this book as soon as i saw it was coming out!

Kristi said...

Please enter me for this book - I am from the midwest and would love to read a book set there!

Kristi
kherbrand(at)comcast(dot)net

Jill said...

This book sounds like one I wouldn't be able to put down!

I enjoyed reading your interview with Ann. Thanks for Sharing :)

Simply Stacie said...

Please enter me. I'd love to read this!

Anonymous said...

sounds like a book i would enjoy. please enter my name.
thanks,
sarahwoll at hotmail dot com

windycindy said...

Hi, I live in Illinois and this reminds me of my paternal grandmother. It would be fascinating to read Ann's debut novel. Please enter me in your drawing. Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Alli said...

Please enter me! This would be great!

Annie1 said...

Oh, this I would so enjoy reading!

Thanks!

I'm in Canada, hope that's ok, if not, please delete me!!

Thanks again

nancyrobster@gmail.com

The Hinkle Hut said...

I love reading and I'm always interested in new Christian fiction. Thanks! Please enter me to win.

apple blossom said...

Oh, this sounds like my kind of book. I love reading books. Please enter me in the drawing.

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Ann Shorey said...

I'm thrilled to hear that readers in the midwest are interested in my book. The story was inspired by the life of one of my great-great aunts, and really did take place in Missouri and Illinois. My husband and I took a research trip back there in the late 1990's. Loved all the towns with town squares. We don't have those where I live in Oregon.

Ann Shorey

Bonnie Leon said...

Wonderful interview. I've known Ann for many years and I've learned something new--a lion? I never would have guessed. :-)

I don't need to be in the drawing, I already have a copy of Ann's fabulous book.

But everyone who doesn't win should get a copy. It's a great read!

Bonnie

www.bonnieleon.com

angela said...

Congratulations, Ann. Were you at OCW this year? You look familiar. I would love to read your book.

Ann Shorey said...

To answer Angela's question, yes I was at the OCW conference last summer. I've been a member for years, and rarely miss the conferences. I'll be attending the one-day conference in Salem on Feb. 28, Lord willing.

Carolyn Sharkas said...

I would love a chance to read this book. I love that Ann is so proud of her relationship with her grown daughter, as my daughter turned 18 today and it has been hard to keep a good relationship between us throughout the past few years, but things are starting to look up.

thanks so much to both of you for sharing

ceashark at aol dot com

Alyce said...

I would love to win this book!
akreese (at) hotmail (dot) com

Carole said...

From all that I've read about it so far, The Edge of Night promises to be a book that I would really enjoy. Thanks so much for the opportunity to win a copy.

Ann, my daughter an I are best friends also, so we share in the blessings that brings.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

Renee G said...

I would love to read this.

rsgrandinetti(at)yahoo(dot)com

Samantha R said...

I would love to win this book! Please enter me :)
sras7508 at gmail dot com

Merry said...

I love the quirky dancing on the table! Please add me for The Edge of Light.

worthy2bpraised{at}gmail{dot}com

Anonymous said...

I would love to read this book, as well, as her book, "Great Cloud Of Witnesses.

Please enter me in the contest.

Thank you,

Becky C.

rec(at)hiwaay(dot)net

Ann Shorey said...

To comfort those of you who don't as yet have great relationships with your daughters, her teen and early twenties years weren't always that close! One year I had to tell her that no matter what her friends said about Mother's Day being a Hallmark sales tool, I expected a card!
Thanks for sharing your own "daugher" experiences.

Ann

Martha A. said...

Oh, I really want to read this book now!!
Dancing on a tabletop? That sounds like something my sister would want to do! We joke about bursting into song when we are in the store or something, tap dancing down the aisles.....yeah...well, we love old movies!
martha(at)lclink(dot)com

Christina Tarabochia said...

Along with Bonnie, I've know Ann for years and was THRILLED when she landed the contract. (Yes, a wee bit jealous at first, but soon thankfulness crowded that out!)

I can't wait to read it, as well, and would love to be entered. Great interview, Ann!

Anonymous said...

I love to try this new author, please enter me.

Sandee61 said...

This looks like a wonderful read, and I always enjoy mother-daughter stories. Please enter my name in your giveaway. Thank you!

Blessings,
Sandy

Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com

Megan said...

I have never heard of this before, but it sounds very interesting!

thanks for the giveaway!

megan.nadalet[at]gmail.com

Ausjenny said...

this also sounds like an interesting book. there are so many good debut authors out there at the moment
ausjenny at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

please enter me for the book competition. Thank you best wishes.
Pat
grist(at)mweb.co.za

Carolynn said...

Sounds like a great story...I love reading about this time period. Thanks for the chance to win!
carolynnwald[at]hotmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

I love reading and love reading historical fiction. Please enter me in the drawing.

Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

Ann Shorey said...

I'm enjoying everyone's comments. Can't wait to see who's the lucky winner of the free book!

Ann Shorey

mommyjen99 said...

Sounds like a great uplifting book!
Please enter me.
jen62728@aol.com

jbafaith said...

I like what you said about not letting others diminish your dream.