Friday, January 13, 2012

Harlequin Author Terri Reed--and a Giveaway!

Hi, all!   Happy Friday! I'm so please to have Love Inspired author Terri Reed with me today!

At an early age Terri Reed discovered the wonderful world of fiction and declared she would one day write a book. Now she is fulfilling that dream and enjoys writing for Steeple Hill. She is an active member of both Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers. She resides in the Pacific Northwest with her college-sweetheart husband, two wonderful children and an array of critters. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, gardening and playing with her dogs.

 
Describe a little of your writing routine for us. Do you have a set amount of time that you spend on writing per week?  
My routine varies depending on where in the process I am.  When I’m in the beginning stages, I do a lot of ‘pre-writing’ on a note pad and forms that I’ve gathered from various different writing instructors.  Then when I’m writing raw, I spend anywhere from four to seven hours at the computer during the weekday. Sometimes this is all day, sometime the hours are broken up with errands or appointments or volunteering at the kids school.  I’ll make up hours on the weekend if I fall behind and the deadline is nearing.  Sometimes I’ll make up hours lost during the day in the evening/after everyone goes to bed or early in the morning before anyone gets up.

Is there a different genre you would like to try and write someday?  I have some ideas for a few grittier thrillers and a few ideas for a couple of women’s fiction books.  But they are sitting on the back burner for now.  Love Inspired keeps me busy.   
How do you reward yourself for finishing or selling a book? 
I buy a latte after I’ve mailed the book and then I get a massage. 

What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten and/or advice you’d like to give to other writers?
There are several bits of advice I’ve taken to heart from some big name authors.  
1)Nora Roberts said, I can fix a bad page but I can’t fix a blank page.  I remind myself that all the time when I’m writing and find myself stuck or spending too much time trying to come up with the words. 
2) Susan Elizabeth Philips said Protect the work, whatever that mean for you. Protect the work.  For me protecting the work has been saying no to things I’d like to do when I have writing to be done.  It means ordering pizza instead of going to the grocery store when I’m on deadline.  It means preserving my voice when critique partners or editors want to me to make changes that aren’t true to my voice and style.
3) Jo Beverly said—Just tell the story.  I know we’re taught to show don’t tell when we’re writing and that is very true and valid, however, when I get stuck I remember Nora’s words and I remember Jo’s words and I just tell the story.  I can go back later and show the story but I have to have something to work.
4)My advice is never stop learning, believe in yourself and your writing because if you don’t who will? and don’t get so attached to the work that you’re unwilling to make it better.
Wonderful advice!!

Now for some fun questions!
Favorite Christmas gift you just received?  Pilates Reformer classes from my husband.
What are you reading right now?  Miracle Cure by Harlan Coben. 
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?  Pilates, Zumba and hang out with my family.
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Links where readers can find you:

Here is a little bit about Terri's new book out now: The Secret Heiress:

A Shocking Revelation
Finding out she is heir to a fortune shocks Caroline Tully to her core.  And to “qualify” for the inheritance, she just has to visit her newfound grandfather’s Mississippi home from Christmas to New Year’s.  Adopted as a baby, Caroline knows nothing about her mother’s family...and doesn’t realize they can’t be trusted.  When attempts are made on her life, there’s only one man who can protect her.  Donovan Cavanaugh—a man who made her lonely heart want to love again.  Posing as her fiancé, Don promises to find the would-be killer.  But will his protection-and his love-be enough to keep her safe?
Protection Specialists: Guarding the innocent.


GIVEAWAY:
Terri will be giving away a $10 Visa GC for both blog host with most comments and one randomly drawn commenter during the tour.
Please comment on today's blog for your chance to win!
To increase your chances of winning, be sure to visit Terri's other blog tour stops here: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2011/11/virtual-book-tour-secret-heiress-by.html

Thanks so much, Terri!

37 comments:

Goddess Fish Promotions said...

Thank you for hosting Terri today.

Old Kitty said...

"I can fix a bad page but I can’t fix a blank page" - I really really like this - it's a brilliant mantra to adopt! Thank you Terri!!

I wish Terri all the best with The Secret Heiress - love the mixture of romance and mystery!!!

Thanks Jennifer for hosting!

Take care
x

pol said...

Hello from Ga,
I am so happy to see Terri here today, love her books and this one about an inheritance and a visit to grandfathers sounds like a good story.
Enjoyed your blog, pretty colors and the coffee thoughts is a good idea...
thanks for sharing
Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)

Glynis Peters said...

Love the interview ladies, thanks for sharing.

Anne Gallagher said...

Great interview. Love the sage advice, especially "just tell the story". If it's not written down, you can't fix it.

And Terri's book sounds absolutely fab. On my TBR list right now.

Linda Kage said...

Great bits of advice!! It's nice to meet you Terri. I love how you get a latte and massage to treat yourself.

Karen H said...

Wonderful advice from some wonderful ladies...but I like your advice too. "Never stop learning, believe in yourself and your writing because if you don’t who will? and don’t get so attached to the work that you’re unwilling to make it better." Seems like this can be used in any walk of life.

Thanks for an interesting 2 weeks Terri. It has been fun getting to know you and your work.

Karen Lange said...

Jennifer, thanks for the intro to Terri! Will have to check out her book. :)

Happy Friday!

Jackie S. said...

Another hello from GA....
Terri, I think you are so right to treat yourself with latte and a massage! Blessings~~~
jackie.smith[at]dishmail[dot]net

Joanne said...

Thanks for the writing thoughts today, ladies. It's always fun to get a glimpse behind the page. Great advice too. I like the suggestion that we can fix a bad page, but not a blank one. Great motivation to get writing!

I'm passing on the giveaway, but do wish Terri much success :)

Carolyn V said...

Love it! Terri sounds amazing and I love that she does Pilates. Great interview.

Linda G. said...

THE SECRET HEIRESS sounds fantastic! Thanks for telling us about it. :)

MomJane said...

I have really loved following your tour. Good luck with your book, it sounds really good.

Jessica R. Patch said...

Thanks for sharing the wonderful advice, Terri! A massage after finishing the book. I like it. May have to adopt that treat. :)

Have a great weekend, ladies!

Terri Reed said...

Wow, so many people so early. I'm on west coast time. I just got the kids out the door and checked email etc.
Its a holiday weekend!!

Old Kitty, that mantra is brilliant, just like the lady who said it. Thank you for your well wishes.

Paula, thanks for stopping by. I’ve only seen a small portion of Ga but what I’ve seen I thought was very pretty. And I agree Jennifer’s blog is very eye catching.

Glynis, thank you for stopping in today.

Anne, if you ever are giving the chance to meet Jo Beverly, you’ll see she is a wise and gracious lady. Thank you for commenting today.

Linda, latte’s are my guilty pleasure. I could make coffee at home but it never tastes as good.

Karen H, thank YOU for going to all my stops and asking such great questions!

Karen L, happy Friday to you too!

Jackie, another Georgia girl! Blessings to you too!

Joanne, thank you for your well wishes.

Carolyn, Pilates has made a huge difference in my life. I can get so stiff and sore from sitting at the computer all day and can form bad habits in posture but Pilates loosens me up and realigns my posture.

Linda G., Thank you for dropping in today.

MomJane, I appreciate that you’ve followed the tour. Thank you.

Jessica, I highly recommend a massage. There’s nothing like the relief of having the kinks worked out.

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

Great post, with lots of useful bits of food for thought. As well as info on yet another book to add to my reading list. Thanks!

Terri Reed said...

Susan, thanks for stopping in and commenting.

Sarita Leone said...

This is a great post. Love the bits of advice, thanks for sharing them.

Best of luck with the new book!

Jennifer Shirk said...

So glad to have you here today, Terri!
Good luck with your new book!

Terri Reed said...

Sarita, Thank you. I love to talk writing.

Jennifer, I appreciate you hosting me today.

Heather Sunseri said...

Love the interview, ladies. Great advice, Terri.

Jennifer, I'm not sure what happened, but your blog got deleted from my Google Reader. Very upsetting. I'm glad you stopped by my place today b/c it made me sit up and say, "I haven't seen Jennifer in my Reader lately."

Anyway, Happy Friday to you both!

Cathy P said...

Terri, I loved your interview and great advice. I think it's great that you treat yourself to a latte and a massage after finishing a book. Looking forward to reading The Secret Heiress.

kscathy@yahoo.com

Misha Gerrick said...

Sounds like a great read. And I love the idea for the competition. :-D

Terri Reed said...

Thanks, Heather.

Cathy, there has to be something to look forward. A trip to Hawaii would be a good reward too but not practical. LOL
Thanks for stopping by.

Misha, the giveaway is a fun way to give back to readers. Thanks for dropping in.

Liz Mays said...

It would be really cool to see what she writes if she ever gets to that backburner thriller!

Carol Kilgore said...

Today has been an exhausting editing day for me. I'm so glad to read your four tips - especially #2.

Hi, Jennifer!

Terri Reed said...

Liz, thanks for stopping in. The few people I've my thriller ideas too have thought they sounded worth pursing. Someday I'll find out.

Carol, so glad you be of help. Editing can be exhausting. This has been a busy week for me too. I've a proposal due Monday. Finishing it up right now. Will have to FedEx it tomorrow.

Catherine Lee said...

I've enjoyed the tour. Best of luck with your writing.

catherinelee100[at]gmail[dot]com

Terri Reed said...

Thank you Catherine for following.

Mary Preston said...

It's been a great tour & I wish you well!!

marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Terri Reed said...

Thank you Marybelle, I appreciate your well wishes.

Susan R. Mills said...

Thanks to both of you! I love the advice about Just Tell The Story! Sometimes that's the only way to move forward, and like you said, you can go back and show the story later.

Nancy said...

My favorite part of her writing advice is to tell the story and then go back and show. I think the best thing for me is to just get it on paper. Then I can mess with it.

Anonymous said...

What fabulous answers. I love the advice given, all so true and worth printing off and pasting above my computer screen.
I love the buying of the latte after you've mailed the book I'd do that too, but get a pedicure rather than a massage.

Nancy Thompson said...

Love that line from Nora Roberts!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful advise received and taken to heart. It is so true that a blank page does not tell the story, so just write. You can always, always edit later. Thanks for interview!

Melissa Sugar said...

Thank you for the introduction to Terri. I will have to check out her book.