Welcome to Readers Write to Know! I asked you, my readers, what questions they would ask their favorite authors if given the chance, and the authors visiting my blog answered them! This week, I am happy to bring you Toni Shiloh! Toni is giving away an ebook of her latest release, Finding Love — and you don’t want to miss this one. It sounds really good!
Tell us a little bit about yourself. I don’t know why, but this question always makes me nervous. I guess that’s the introvert in me. I’m a wife, mom, and Christian fiction writer. I’ve been a wife for twelve years this month. My husband and I have two boys, who keep me on my toes. I grew up in a household of girls, so the switch is like a cultural shock, lol. But I wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve been writing full time since 2014 and I adore it! I look forward to getting to know the readers.
Tell us about your current release. Finding Love is book two in the Maple Run series.
This story features Delaney Jones, sister to Dwight from book one, Buying Love. Delaney is a widow with twin boys (let’s here it for the boys!) who lives with her mother. Luke Robinson goes to Maple Run seeking absolution. He has a secret about how Delaney’s husband died while serving the country in the Army. I absolutely love these two and I hope you will too!
If you knew ahead of time your book would benefit only one person on their spiritual journey, would you still write it? Definitely! That’s a question I had to answer early on in my writing career. It just so happens that I attended a conference where one of the instructors taught on this very subject. After searching and examining my heart I knew I would continue to write, even if I could only touch one reader’s life.
What do you think is lacking in Christian Fiction? Honestly, nothing. I know that may shock people since I’m a strong advocate for more diversity in Christian fiction, but everything that is lacking is changing. There are men who are writing my stories. Authors who are adding diversity. Writers who are tackling the tough subjects that mar our lives and remain in secret. Christian fiction isn’t a perfect genre, but neither are its readers and authors. I think we’re all working to better it.
With all those characters in your head screaming to get out how do you write fast enough to get it all down? Lol, I don’t. I have TONS of ideas mulling around in my head. Characters are all clamoring for my attention. Even though some of my friends call me prolific, I’m not God. So I write what I hear Him tell me to and look longingly at the ones waiting their turn.
Who was your first Screen/Musical Crush? Jordan Knight from New Kids on the Block, lol. I was young when they came out, but not too young to own a boom box and their tape. Since I grew up in the boy band craze I probably had a crush in almost every group.
Do you have pre-determined length in mind when you first begin a book? Oddly enough, yes. I’ve written novellas, novelettes, short novels, and full-length ones. Each time, I knew how long I wanted the book to be before I sat down and wrote it. It helped me know how detailed I wanted to be.
What advice do you have for aspiring writers? Step outside your comfort box! A lot of writers are introverted or just so full of fear they don’t know what to do first. Make a friend. The writing community is full of them. If you’re introverted, remember they may be too and make that move. If you want to write a book that’s different, remember you’re unique so your book will be too. Just don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone.
Where’s the strangest place you’ve ever had a great writing idea? The shower? Lol, actually I think most people get their ideas there. The strangest place I had an idea was while walking through the Federal Triangle in Washington D.C. I’m still waiting for the opportunity to use that idea.
Find Toni online:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authortonishiloh
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+ToniShiloh
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/tonishiloh
Instagram: www.instagram.com/tonishiloh
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/tonishiloh
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/toni-shiloh
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonishiloh
Blogs she’s a part of: http://puttingonthenew.com ; http://heartwingsblog.com ; http://diversitybetweenthepages.wordpress.com ; www.acfwvirginia.com/blog
Find Toni’s latest release online:
Toni is giving away an ebook of Finding Love! Here’s how you can enter to win:
I’m so grateful for your visit, today.
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6 comments
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Thank you so much for having me!
interesting place for an idea
What you said about writer friends is so true. We really need them and should not be afraid to reach out and find one.
Here here!
I learn a lot from you Toni. 🙂 Thank you for your words of wisdom.
I’m so glad I could help, Melissa!