An Interview with Rose McCauley and a Giveaway!

Welcome to Readers Write to Know! I asked you, my readers, what questions they would ask their favorite authors if given the chance. This week, I am thrilled to introduce you to Rose McCauley. When I first started writing Christian fiction, I met Rose at a local American Christian Fiction Writers group called Bluegrass Christian Writers. Now, we meet once a quarter, and I enjoy every single event I’ve attended with Rose. I’m so happy she’s joining me on my blog. Look for the books in her 4-in-1 novella series she’s doing with three other authors. I’ve linked the first release for you for you. Rose is also giving away a copy of her Christmas Belles of Georgia — so be sure to enter!

Tell us a little bit about yourself. I’m first a child of God, also a wife, mom to 3, and Mimi to 5 grandkids, and a retired teacher who now writes books.

website photos 002 (640x427)Tell us about your current release. It’s a Christmas novella titled “Christmas Grace” set to release on Kindle on Amazon November 21, 2014. It’s a 4 in 1 novella project about 4 cousins with 3 other authors.   Do You See What I See? by Delia Latham comes out first on November 15th, then Tiff Stockton’s Classic Yuletide Melodies will be released on November 18th, my book Christmas Grace is released on kindle on Nov. 21st and Jeanie Smith Cash’s book Sleigh Bells in the Snow will be out on Nov. 24th with an epilogue with all the cousins appearing

If you knew ahead of time your book would benefit only one person on their spiritual journey, would you still write it? Yes, because that is the reason I write—to bring people closer to the Lord. And He often draws me closer to Him and teaches me while I am writing, too!

Christmas Grace book coverWith all those characters in your head screaming to get out how do you write fast enough to get it all down? Some days it is like that. I even get hot from typing so fast! But other days, especially at the beginning of a new story, I have to stop and ask the characters some questions to get to know them better.

How do you push past the fear of your writing being average and be bold enough to sell it to a publisher(or agent or audience if you self publish)? I know I am certainly not perfect. No one is except the Lord. I continue to learn about writing, then do the best I can, and leave the results up to Him.

What inspired you to start writing, or did you always want to write? I always loved to read, and God gave me a desire to write later on. My husband and I try to walk in the afternoons, and for years he got to listen to me talk about all the characters in my head, so he encouraged me to retire from my teaching job which I loved in order to start writing about some of them. Now I love writing even more than teaching!

Do you have your plotline and character development already laid out before you begin writing a book, or do they develop as you write? I do a little of both. I want to have some main info about the characters and plot on paper before I start to write, but the characters often surprise me or the plot takes a turn I hadn’t seen coming at the start. That keeps me still writing, and I hope it will keep my readers reading, too.

Do you have pre-determined length in mind when you first begin a book? It depends. For many novellas, the publisher sets the limit around 20,000 words, so I just write the story and then go back and edit (with the help of some crit partners) to cut it down to close to that. I also have written two full-length novels that both came out at 87,600 words without planning on it, so that is fun, too.

What advice do you have for aspiring writers? KEEP LEARNING. Join a writers group (or two or three) I especially recommend www.acfw.com (American Christian Fiction Writers) if you want to write for the Christian market.

You can find Rose on her website and blog 

Christmas Belles of Georgia can be purchased in both kindle and paperback editions in most book stores

Christmas Grace is available NOW in kindle version only

 

Be sure to enter to win Rose’s Giveaway!
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6 comments

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    • Amy Smith on November 16, 2014 at 18:16
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    Glad I came across this post! I’ve been looking a for a good Christmas story to read!

  1. Hi, Rose. I’m a retired teacher who is just beginning a writing career. Thank you for the good advice. A Christmas story about cousins sounds different. All the best on your book.

    Halle, thanks for posting this interview.

    1. Hi Amy, I’m very glad you came to visit Hallee’s blog and found some new reads, too. I hope you enjoy them! Rose
      Rose McCauley recently posted…Delia Latham Interview/New BookMy Profile

    2. Hi Janet, gad to connect with you on Hallee’s blog. Sounds like we have a lot in common! Hope you read and enjoy these stories! Rose
      Rose McCauley recently posted…Delia Latham Interview/New BookMy Profile

    • Paula on November 17, 2014 at 08:39
    • Reply

    Hi Rose. I admire that you are pursuing a writing career after retiring from teaching. I just retired from teaching myself. Although I am more “mathematical thinking” and feel inadequate as a writer, I LOVE to read Chritian romance, suspense, etc. books and can’t wait to read your books!

    1. Hi Paula, thanks for your encouraging response. Always glad to connect with another teacher and someone who loves Christian romance–another kindred spirit!
      My book releases on kindle this Friday, but the first book in the series is already out and book two is supposed to release today or tomorrow if you want to read them while you are waiting for mine. Nice to cyber-meet you!
      Rose McCauley recently posted…Delia Latham Interview/New BookMy Profile

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