Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have four books out right now, but three more will be completed soon.
Books available right now are: Perfect Match, A Smoky Mountain Christmas, A Matter of Taste and Christmas at Apple Lake.
I read every moment I can.
I love to paint, but haven’t painted in a few years, I’ve always loved the feel of a brush in my hand moving over canvas.
On the other hand, being a grandmother is a wonderful career in itself! I’m married with one awesome son, a fabulous daughter-in-law and a tremendously, bright and talented grandson.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Christmas at Apple Lake. (Available now in Christmas on Main Street Book 2. Anthology.
Christmas at Apple Lake will be available as a stand a lone book mid-January 2016.
I wanted to create a character that had lived too long under someone else’s control and finally comes to realize she’d lived in her husband’s shadow. Now she’s ready to break the mold, but finds her children are unwavering in their persistence to continue where their father left off before his death. They’d learned control too young and too well.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Well…yes. Staying up too late, although I’m sure there are many writers who write into the wee hours of the morning. I sometimes stay up until three or four in the morning. After breakfast, I try to clear a few hours to do nothing but write. If I’m on a roll, writing time can run into five or six hours. I screen my calls in case of an emergency, but no phone calls. The phone is a big distraction for me. I keep photos of my family close by for inspiration. I also have photos of what I think my characters look like. That helps keep them fresh in my mind.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Celestine Sibley, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Susan Wiggs, Rae Anne Thayne, Debbie Macomber, John Grisham.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on three novels right now. A Smoky Mountain Christmas Wedding, Loving Lexi and Forget Me Not.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m one of ten authors at Authors of Main Street. We publish at least two books per year as an anthology. Our latest has five authors for Christmas and is Christmas on Main Street – Book 2. I use Twitter and Facebook and also have a website. http://caroldevaney.weebly.com/ I have two Facebook Pages. https://www.facebook.com/Carol-DeVaney-116690041776153/?ref=hl and https://www.facebook.com/caroldevaney.author
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write from your heart. Without emotion, the story is meaningless. Write something everyday. Keep that brain muscle exercised. Grab the reader within the first sentence or first few sentences .
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write from the heart. Write what you know. Know your story’s beginning, middle and ending. Outline your story. Outlines aren’t set in stone, and will most likely change as the characters become real to you. Get the story down, then you can revise and polish. Leave your editor in the other room until it’s time for him/her to work with you.
What are you reading now?
Christmas on Main Street – Book 2. The five books are brand new and all have a Christmas theme.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I have several books with short outlines to be written. I also have a children’s book to publish. There’s no shortage of stories in my head.
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?
The Bible, Gone With the Wind, The Stand, anything by John Grisham.
Author Websites and Profiles
Carol DeVaney Website
Carol DeVaney Amazon Profile
Carol DeVaney Author Profile on Smashwords
Carol DeVaney’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
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