CHATS

 conversation with my AMAZING publisher -

A few words about CYNTHIA HICKEY - The head of WINGED PUBLICATIONS is a prolific writer. Ms. Hickey's over-active imagination helps her in penning cozy mysteries, romantic suspense, and historical romance. She is constantly critiquing movies, stating ways to make them better and more believable. You can link with her online at www.cynthiahickey.com

q. What are the 3 most important keys to an engaging story?

a. Characters are number one. The readers must care about the characters. Then the plot, then the scene.

q. What's the number 1 rule to successful editing?

a. To make the story the best it can be.

q. How do you balance maintaining the author's voice with making necessary edits?

a. We strive for the book to "remain" the authors. It's their voice the readers want, not ours. 

q. What resonated most with you about surrender?

a. That the fallen could be redeemed.

q. What do you think heaven is like?

a. Pure Joy!

conversation with my ACCOMPLISHED editor -

A few words about DIANE TATUM - Her first book, Gold Earrings, began as an assignment in her high school Creative Writing class. Life intervened. She retired from teaching middle school fulltime when her husband said, “Come home and write your stories.” That was in 2011. She now has 20 books available on Amazon, including Gold Earrings, and she edits for our publisher, Winged Publications.

Website: www.dianeetatumwriter.com

q. What are the 3 most important keys to an engaging story?

a.1. Engaging characters with whom the reader can resonate.

   2. A believable conflict that is realistic as well as dire. The reader will want to help the engaging characters solve the problem.

  3. I believe a relationship with either a dear friend or a romantic partner raises the desire for the reader to see them succeed.

q. What's the number 1 rule to successful editing?

a. The first rule is to never assume you will find all your own text issues. You as the writer know what it’s supposed to say. As a result, you will fill in missing words, miss the punctuation problem, or not know there’s a problem. Fresh eyes can see those things clearer.

q. How do you balance maintaining the author's voice with making necessary edits?

a. It depends on the type of edit required. If it’s simply grammatical, adding a comma or changing a word/sentence construction should not interfere with the author’s voice. If the problem is more organic, a major theme or character problem, I make suggestions about how to ‘fix’ the text and story problem.

q. What resonated most with you about surrender?

a. From the beginning, the story is emotional and explosive. The relationships and lives of the characters are at stake from an unknown entity: spiritual warfare in the guise of alien infiltration. A different take on sci-fi.

q. What do you think heaven is like?

a. I think it’s hard to know before going there. I often wonder about people who die but are brought back to life. Is it a good thing to bring someone back from heaven? Eternal bliss, no pain, and no sorrow are all worthwhile enough for me. The trappings, golden streets, mansions, crowns, all the other speculations are side issues compared to the presence of God in His perfect place.

conversation with an avid reader -

A few words about GABBY JACOB - One of God's true faithful, Gabby lives a life of gratitude. She's currently a student of Sociology with an interest in youth education.

q. What do you struggle with that when you read a romance novel you feel better?

a. Just when I need it, they are a timely reminder of God's love for us. Setting a standard of what could be out there, just waiting to be discovered. We shouldn't accept anything less.

q. What if anything was lacking, or missing from the story?

a. A bit more character development of Duncan & Danielle. I wanted to learn more about them & get more invested in their stories.

q. What resonated most with you about surrender?

a. Rissa's view of heaven being like a constant moment of time. Also, the wisdom in Alcindor's words when he said - "The human journey of faith is all about learning to look only to Him. For He alone is The All Powerful One, Creator, Comforter, Provider, Deliverer, Healer, Protector."

q. What do you think heaven is like?

a. Heaven is simply being in God's presence, but I also believe we can have heaven on earth that way too. By recognizing and living in Him here too. 

q. In one word, describe how surrender made you feel.

a. Excited!

Thanks ever so much to Ms. Hickey, Ms. Tatum and of course Gabby for taking the time to respond to my questions. Oh, and no worries, Gabby, I expect you'll see Duncan again, 😉 plus there's a whole lot more on the way about Danielle, coming up in her very own story transform. Available soon.

Cheers!