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8 July 2010

Getting to know you Thursdays with Glynna Kaye and a chance win a book.

Please welcome Glynna Kaye to my blog today. Its been cool getting to know Glynna over the past few months.


1. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I grew up the Midwest USA in small farming and mining communities. Now I live in Arizona (where we had over 12 feet of snow this past winter—this state isn’t ALL about heat and cactus!).  (Jenny here I learnt something as I didn't realize there were areas in Arizona where it snows)

2. When you were a child did you have a favourite book or books?

My first love was horses--so naturally books with horses in them were favorites (like Anna Sewell’s Black Beauty, Marguerite Henry’s stories (Five O’Clock Charlie, Misty of Chincoteague, etc.), and Walter Farley's "The Black Stallion" series).

3. Do you have a favourite Genre to both read and write?

I read in multiple genres, both inspirational and non-inspirational---romance, mystery, mainstream, women’s fiction, and literary. Non-fiction as well, including books on the writing craft, Christian growth, biographies, and a bookcase full of American and British history. I'm currently loving writing small town inspirational romance for Steeple Hill Love Inspired. They’re set in the beautiful mountains of northern Arizona—a rugged, more-than-mile-high elevation surrounded by brilliant blue skies and towering ponderosa pines.

4. Did you have favourite authors growing up who have influenced you?

Too many to name! But by the time I hit junior high (7th grade) I was enjoying the classics--Dickens, Austen, Bronte, and even Shakespeare!  I imagine everything we read influences us to some extent.

5. When did you know you wanted to be an author?
I began writing short stories and poems in grade school. By the time I was in my late teens I’d started a book-length fiction set in the early 1800’s. I worked on it off and on for several years, but never came close to finishing it. I didn’t have a clue what I was doing. Premise? GMC? Pacing? Writing commercial fiction wasn’t included in my college writing courses. No internet classes or writer’s conferences were available back then. I didn’t know any real-life writers who could give me pointers.

6. How did you go about becoming an author?
I'm definitely NOT an overnight success story! When I finally discovered Romance Writers of America (RWA), I began to learn about the publishing industry, the craft of writing commercial fiction, and ventured into entering contests. I learned SO MUCH from years of contest feedback. In many ways it was like taking a customized course with personal tutors.
In 2005 I teamed up with 14 other unpublished contest finalists to share industry news, provide feedback or an occasional kick in the seat of the pants, and pray for each other. (Check out our www.seekerville.blogspot.com)  By 2006 I’d won the American Christian Fiction Writers’ “Genesis” and RWA Faith, Hope & Love’s “Touched by Love” contests with a chick-lit flavored romantic suspense. But I still wasn’t certain I was in the “right” genre, so in 2008 I prayerfully wrote something totally different---a romance targeted for Steeple Hill. I entered it in the Golden Pen contest later that year, it finaled, won, and in January 2009 the finals judge (Melissa Endlich, Senior Editor at Steeple Hill) called to buy it. “Dreaming of Home” was fast-tracked to an October 2009 releases!

7. If you were not a writer what would you like to be? 
An artist -- maybe a watercolorist or jewelry maker or graphic designer. I also love history and visiting new places, so academic researcher would be high on my list of dream jobs, too.

8. Outside reading and writing what do you like to do?
I enjoy photography, hiking, gardening, trying new recipes, and sewing for my home (I even made a quilt!).

9. Do you have a place you love to visit or would love to visit? 
I absolutely loved spending time in England, Scotland and Wales. It was like going home to a place I’d never been before—maybe because books by British writers, modern as well as classics, have always been favorites. Ireland, Europe, New Zealand, Australia and Canada are dream destinations as well. I grew up on National Geographic magazines, so have an interest in countries and cultures worldwide.

10. If you could have a meal with 3 living people who would you choose and why?

Edith Schaeffer , author of the non-fiction “What is a Family?” “Common Sense Christian Living,” “Christianity is Jewish,” “The Tapestry” and others. Her books (many of which are about the L’Bri Ministry she and her pastor husband Francis founded in Switzerland), are big on practical application and challenge me to think more deeply, more Biblically.
Joyce Meyer, Bible teacher.  Her books, CDs and TV program are so very practical, very to the point, very Bible-based. She challenges me to grow spiritually and I always get a “take away” from her that I can’t squirm out of.
Sarah, Duchess of York.  Just for the fun of it! J

Finally can you tell us about your current books and/or any that will be coming out soon. Also where we can find you on the web.


My current book is a Steeple Hill Love Inspired, "Dreaming of Home,” set in the fictional community of Canyon Springs, Arizona.  Because of all the demands of a first book coming out so quickly after its sale, I wasn’t able to finish a second in time to have one out this year. However, my next book (“Second Chance Courtship”) is a February 2011 release. And currently I’m having loads of fun with a third story set in Canyon Springs! You can find me at   www.GlynnaKaye.com  ,   www.seekerville.blogspot.com and www.loveinspiredauthors.com .




Glynna is going to give away an autographed copy of Dreaming of Home to one reader who leaves a comment. To enter please leave a way to contact you if you win if I dont alreadly know your addy. You have till Thursday 6pm Australian time the 15th to enter.  Thanks Glynna for donating a book.

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well Glynna I just found out a whole new side of you!!!

Great interview Jenny!!

Jo said...

Thanks for the great interview, Glynna. Really found it very interesting and look forward to reading your books.Please enter me in the giveaway.

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

Patsy said...

I have read some of Glenda's books and they are great. She's a really good author. Would enjoy reading Dreaming of Home as well.
plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Patsy said...

I have read some of Glynna's books and they are great. She is a really good author. Would love to read Dreaming of Home.
plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Glynna Kaye said...

Good morning, Jenny! Thanks for inviting me to your blog! I sometimes pop in to read your author interviews, so it's fun to have mine here, too!

Glynna Kaye said...

Hey there, Tina! Tina's one of my Seekerville writing buddies! Check out our 15-author blog -- lots of fun and almost always a book giveway drawing!

Glynna Kaye said...

Good morning, Jo! It's fun to look back and see how far I've come in this L-O-N-G writing journey! Some days it still doesn't seem REAL that I'm holding a copy of my own book in my hands. Seems so strange to turn the pages at random and see MY words!

Glynna Kaye said...

Hi, Patsy! I hope people get as much enjoyment out of reading my stories as I get out of writing them! I'm diligently working on my third Love Inspired!

Julie Lessman said...

Great interview, Glynna and Jenny! Don't enter me because I am already lucky enough to have read Dreaming of Home and LOVED IT!! Cannot wait for the next one, Glynna!! Sooo much fun learning more about you.

Hugs,
Julie

Cara Lynn James said...

Hi, Glynna! I didn't know you were artistic or that you once made a quilt. When I lived in Vermont I took several quilting courses and made many quilts. It was lots of fun! I still have most of them.

Can't wait to read your new book next winter. It seems like a long way off, but it's really not.

Glynna Kaye said...

Hi, Julie! Thanks for the "plug" on Dreaming of Home! I had so much fun writing it. I'm looking forward to YOUR next book,too! Absolutely love all your gorgeous covers.

Glynna Kaye said...

Good morning, Cara! Thanks for stopping by to keep me company! I think Jenny may be asleep--she's 17 hours ahead of me--almost into Friday, I think!

Yes, the next book seems a long way off, but that's what happens when you get "the call" and barely six months later have a book in your hands! It was fast-tracked to publication due to an open spot when Steeple Hill expanded their Love Inspired releases from 4 to 6 a month. So I hadn't even had time to start a second book in the Canyon Springs series, let alone finish it!! What a roller coaster year!

How fun that you made quilts, too! A big job, but sewing is so relaxing.

I loved YOUR "Love on a Dime" and can't wait to read the next one!

Sandra Leesmith said...

Hi Glynna, How fun to learn more about one of my favorite authors. I read all the "horse" books too. Weren't they great? I knew we were kindred spirits.

Maybe we should all go to Australia and meet Ausjenny. That's one of my dream trips too. Can you picture how fun that would be?

I loved DREAMING OF HOME and can't wait for your next one to be out.

Glynna Kaye said...

Hi Sandra! Yes, wouldn't it be fun to go to Australia? I absolutely fell in love with the country in "A Man from Snow River!" So glad you enjoyed Dreaming of Home!

Ann Lee Miller said...

Toss my name into the hat, please. :)

Ann

Ann_Lee_Miller@msn.com

Janet Tronstad said...

Hi Glynn -- I need to get your book. Somehow I missed it when it came out. I write the Dry Creek series with Love Inspired so am all for small town romance! It was great to learn more about you -- hope to meet you someday (I won't be in Orlando for RWA, but maybe next year in New York).

Unknown said...

Ah! Austen and Bronte...can't go wrong with those two! I think I missed your first book when it came out! Don't know how that happened since I check every month for the new ones. LOL This one looks good too!

Mary Connealy said...

Hi, Glynna. Hi Jenny. Great interview.

Glynna, Walter Farley's Black Stallion books were among my FAVORITES as a child.

It's the first memory of reading a book where I'd look at that book and realize what he'd accomplished. How he'd hooked me. How COMPLETELY I was in the middle of those horse races.

He'd take a horse race...aren't they about two minutes long? Five minutes long?

And he'd write for twenty pages, every pounding hoofbeat, every thought, the press of the bodies, the action, drama, intensity.

I recognized the talent even as a child and wondered HOW DID HE DO THAT???

I can't wait for your next book, Glynna.

Myra Johnson said...

So nice to learn even more about you, Glynna! I loved Dreaming of Home--a lovely, sweet romance!

And I just love a good horse story. Man from Snowy River remains one of my favorite movies. I still regret never having a horse of my own.

Ausjenny said...

Wow everyones been busy while I slept. Im up now Thanks for all the nice comments. Also thanks to the ones who have commented about the loss of my friend I am still in shock over finding out she passed away.
I would love to meet you all in australia (I suggest coming not in July! this June/July has been really cold)

Audra Harders said...

Hi Glynna, hi Jenny! Great interview! Things you can find out about someone with someone else asks the questions, LOL.

I loved hearing about all your hobbies and interests. I think I'd like to try my hand at jewelry making, too. Beading is fun and almost as rewarding. And trying new recipes? Too bad those pesky ol' day jobs take up so much time!

Dreaming of Home is firmly seated on my keeper shelf, Glynna. I can't wait for the next book to come out!

Glynna Kaye said...

Hello, Janet! Oh, yes, I definitely recognize your name as I've read a number of the Dry Creek series! Thanks for stopping by!

Glynna Kaye said...

Hi, Jennifer! I was just thinking the other day that I need to RE-read Austen & Bronte again. It's been so long. It would be fun to re-read the horse stories I loved as a kid, too!

Glynna Kaye said...

Mary -- I loved those Black Stallion books. You're right, Farley could just throw you into a horse race and you were riding right along with Alec on The Black, racing toward that finish line. Dare I admit I cried as a kid when I read that scene--and again when I watched it in movie form as an adult? Shhhh.

Glynna Kaye said...

Myra! I'm shocked! You're a horsewoman so I always assumed you owned one of your own. I had one when I was a teen--an American Quarter Horse.

Glynna Kaye said...

Hi, Jenny!

How cold is "cold" where you are?

Ausjenny said...

Not as cold as in america but for us around 11c which is about 52F. No snow but chilly. the past few days have been much better.

Glynna Kaye said...

Hi Audra! Thanks for popping in! The months are flying and it won't be long before YOUR and Tina Radcliffe's debut Steeple Hill Loved Inspireds will be coming out in January 2011! I love cowboy heroes!

Glynna Kaye said...

Jenny -- any way you look at it, 52 is sweater & jacket weather for sure!

Anonymous said...

enjoyed this posting/interview...thanks for the chance to read this wonderful novel :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

rbooth43 said...

Dreaming Of Home reminds me that I have lived in the same home all my life-66 years. Not many people can say that. By the interview this book sounds very interesting.

rbooth43 at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

Please enter me for the contest.
writerbev (at) aol (dot) com

Glynna Kaye said...

"rbooth43" -- That's amazing you've lived in the same house all your life! So "home" has a VERY special meaning for you!

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