Today's COTT hostess is Michelle Massaro
I had the great pleasure of interviewing Elaine Marie Cooper, and her enthusiasm has blessed my socks off! A wonderful lady, and dear new friend, I am thrilled to share with you all a bit of our conversation:
Michelle: Elaine, you're the first self-pub'd author to grace our general arena. How do you feel about that?Elaine: I feel very honored to break this ground. Many in the field of writing feel that Indie-published means "poor quality." But what makes a good novel is an engaging story that is told well and edited carefully. I am very proud of my thrice-edited (by professional editors) debut novel with a cover that compares well with those from traditional publishers. My book has received excellent reviews, including from Kirkus Discoveries. My novel is not perfect—but I do not know of a book that is, other than the Bible.
Michelle: Your excerpt is competing for Most Romantic Moment. But real life love stories are my favorite. Tell me, what's the most romantic experience you’ve had?
Elaine: It would probably have to be my wedding day. I remember praying that I would not be nervous because so many of my friends said that they didn’t even remember the details of their own wedding day because of stress. All I could think was, “Not remember my wedding day? No!” Well, God answered my prayer and not only did I remember it but Steve and I were able to just focus on each other, despite all the commotion around us. And unbeknownst to Steve, I had written a song just for him that I sang during our wedding ceremony. I thought he was going to cry! We spent our wedding night on the Queen Mary. It was truly the perfect romantic ending to a perfect day!
Michelle: Recreating that perfect moment on the page is an art. How do you know when you’ve really nailed a passage?
Elaine: When I read it, does it thrill my heart and make me cry? Do I really feel the emotion between the couple? That’s when I know it is just right for my story.
Michelle: Sounds like you better keep a box of tissues near the keyboard then! =) Describe how God fits into the romantic aspect of your story.
Elaine: When Mary first senses a presence in the woods, there is almost a supernatural leading to discover Daniel as he is hidden in the woods. Realizing that he is an enemy soldier, Mary is at first terrified; yet her Christian faith beckons her heart to be a Good Samaritan. Daniel is overwhelmed by her kindness and is immediately attracted to this young woman who cares for him so selflessly. Then one day when her sister is ill, Mary sings a hymn about the shepherd of our souls to comfort her. Daniel is smitten by the words of the song, as well as by the voice of the singer. But it is when Mary herself becomes deathly ill and Daniel is forced to face his fear of losing her that he finally reaches out to God in desperation. It is the beginning of his faith journey—and their romance.
Michelle: God often does use difficult circumstances to accomplish His purpose for us, doesn't he? Tell us about your hero and heroine. What makes them the perfect couple?
Elaine: Daniel Lowe and Mary Thomsen are an unlikely couple for a romance as they are on opposing sides during a bitter war. He is a British soldier, wounded and being marched to a POW camp. She is a young farmwoman, grieving bitterly over the loss of her beloved brother who was killed in the war. But circumstances draw them together as her compassion takes precedence over her hatred for the enemy. She knows he will die without her intervention and she bravely undertakes nursing him back to health, which puts her at odds with her mother and places her whole family in danger.As his physical healing occurs, Mary begins to heal emotionally as well. And they soon come to understand that they have more in common than they thought. Their mutual friendship becomes shared affection as their differences in background and personality become complementary strengths that begin to forge a bond that cannot be broken by the bitterness of war. And through all the trials and dangers, their faith in God becomes as strong as their bond of love.
Michelle: So do they ever get their happily ever after?
Elaine: You’ll have to read the book to see! J
Michelle: I had a feeling you'd say that! What do you want readers to take away from your book?
Elaine: I want them to feel like they have read a really good story, filled with historical facts that make the era of the American Revolution come alive for them. But I especially want the spiritual messages of faith, forgiveness, and dependence on God during trials to refresh the hearts and souls of the reader and give them hope.
Michelle: Mmm, beautiful and timeless messages. Is there anything you’d like to say to our readers before we say goodbye?
Elaine: I would just like to thank everyone that has taken the time to read this interview and thanks, especially, to those that have read The Road to Deer Run. I so appreciate you and pray that my novel is a blessing. The Road to Deer Run is actually the first in a trilogy. The second book is nearly complete and I am very excited about this sequel!
A retired registered nurse, Elaine has been a magazine freelance writer for many years, and is currently a regular contributor to a blog on the Midwest called The Barn Door (http://www.thebarndoor.net/) . She can be reached on Facebook or visit her website at: http://www.deerrunbooks.com/
Feel free to ask a question or leave an encouraging word for Elaine.
18 comments:
Sounds wonderful, Elaine. Love learning more about you. Can't wait to read your book.
Elaine,
This sounds wonderful. I love reading about the revolutionary war and I like your cover!
Elaine, how long did it take you to write The Road to Deer Run?
Thanks, Julia! The artist who painted the cover did an oil painting after reading the manuscript. I am SO pleased with her work. She is currently working on the sketch for the sequel which is nearing completion called "The Promise of Deer Run."
Michelle, It took two years to write "The Road to Deer Run" including the research. There were so many simple details to the colonial era that needed to be portrayed authentically. The details are so critical to transporting the reader to 1777, so I'm glad I took the time to study! Thanks for asking.
Hi Elaine!! How fun to have you here. I agree. Historical detail is essential. Do we get a teaser into The Promise of Deer Run?
Let's see...I think I can give a teaser! It is now 1790 and although the war has ended, the emotional wounds of battle are still being felt by many in Deer Run. And there is one soldier that has never returned from the war, causing isolation for the one family member who still believes he is alive. Of course there is plenty of romance—including an unexpected one between two characters that readers of "The Road to Deer Run" have already met.
well done, Michelle!
and ConGrats Elaine for following your dream in going for publishing yourself!! intrigued...
xtra entry for following ... thx!
tea's on at FHC ~ Welcome ")
Wow I didn't even realize this book was self published. You're right Elaine the cover does compare to those of some of the published books I've seen. It sounds wonderful too!
XOXO~ Renee
Thanks Renee! Most do not realize that it's self-published unless it is pointed out to them. But the proof of a quality read is in the pages—not who publishes it. Thanks for reading the interview and I hope you get to read my book. Blessings!
I read the whole book and didn't realize it was self pub'd. Says a lot about the writer. ;-) And ruins the common stereo-type about self published books.
Thanks, April!
Congratulations, Elaine on your books success. I loved hearing about your wedding day. It sounds very romantic.
Thanks everybody for popping in and conversing with us! Lorna, can't wait for your interview tomorrow. Elaine, I'm looking forward to reading your book!
Thanks, everyone! I've enjoyed being part of the discussion. And Lorna, looking forward to your interview tomorrow!
Hurry up and get that book to print, Elaine! Lord, grant me patience, but hurry - indeed. Of course, I want to know which couple I've already met on the Road to Deer Run pairs up in the sequel. I just LOVE that aspect, and it makes me even more anxious to read it. If you haven't bought Elaine's wonderful book yet, I'd encourage you to order it today. I have it in the Kindle version and only regret not having the book because of the lovely cover - the colors are rich and beautiful - just like what's in-between the covers. SIGH. Thanks for the terrific interview today, ladies! Blessings.
You're making me smile JoAnn with your enthusiasm! But I won't spill the beans on my sequel—sorry. But I will hurry and complete this story that is close to my heart. I pray it will touch its readers as much as it has touched its author. I've already shed many tears while writing "The Promise of Deer Run" so ladies, get your Puffs ready! LOL
Today's interview WAS awesome, wasn't it? I love-love-love all the interaction. Thank you all for spending time with us!
{hugs}
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