Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m married to an amazing man, am the mother of 4 sons, and almost 10 grandkids which I love hanging out with. I ride horses and compete here and there in Extreme Cowboy and Mountain Trail competitions, writing kinda gets in the way! I’m smiling. I have an old dog who used to ride with me, but now she mostly sleeps all day, and love photography. Four of my books covers are my photos. Can you guess which ones? I have written eleven novels, four workbooks (check out my curriculum on my website), two short stories, one of which won an award. The other will soon be a gift for those who sign up for my blog. While I have mainly written young adult novels, I am making the switch to Romantic Suspense.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Lillian’s Legacy. Living on the Colville Indian Reservation is the inspiration for all of my writing. Years ago, I worked with a tribal elder, learning language and culture. Lillian first shows up as a infant in my True to Heart Trilogy, and I have now given Lillian her own book. I also am into natural medicines and married 1800s medicine with Native American plant medicines in this story of two healers coming together to fight female prejudices that concern physicians.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
While most writers are either pantsers or outlines, I’ve found through Randy Ingermanson I’m a snowflake writer, meaning I do more pre-planning than pantsers, but do not create extensive outlines. Check out the Snowflake Method. It’s pretty fun. I do like to write from 8-midnight because I have no distractions.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
For my young adult novels, Rosanne Parry, Dandi Daley Mackall, Susanne Morgan Willians, and Gary Paulsen were my inspirational authors.
Colleen Coble, Brandilyn Collins, and Mary Connealy are my greatest influencers for romantic suspense.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on the short story of how love and belief can give those who are suicidal hope, and a second novel for a series that covers how my characters overcome domestic violence. These are two hardships in my family and that are dealt with on a daily basis on reservations around the nation. While my strong female characters go through hell on their journeys, they survive and find love. Hope is a familiar theme in my books.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Other than speaking and holding workshops at conferences, I do most of my promoting on Twitter, but am now reaching out to sites like Awesome Gang and am excited to be a part of this promotional venue.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write. Sit in your chair and write. The more you know about your characters and their goals and values, your story goal, and obstacles that keep your character from reaching his or her story goal the better. Pack your stories with tension and suspense on every page depending on the genre. Don’t slow down or the reader will close your book and move on. And believe in yourself. You are a writer, take that seriously. Or no one will.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Like I said above, act like a writer and others will take you seriously. Study the craft, go to writer’s conferences in your area, get into a good critique group.
What are you reading now?
I just finished Fire Dancer by Colleen Coble and am about to start Last Call by James Scott Bell.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I will continue to write Romantic Suspense. I’m excited about this series. After my niece was beat to death by her husband, I knew writing about domestic violence would heal my heart and hopefully others too. Fiction is entertainment, but we can also weave important messages into our writing.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would bring my Bible, Writing a Novel Using the Snowflake Method and any book about horses!
Author Websites and Profiles
Carmen Peone Website
Carmen Peone Amazon Profile
Carmen Peone’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account