Giveaway and Interview w/ Jo Huddleston

Today I am Happy to introduce 

Jo Huddleston to you!

Please tell us a little about yourself (your Bio):

Jo Huddleston is a multi-published author of books, articles, and short stories. Her debut novel, That Summer, Book One in the Caney Creek Series has just released. Book 2 in the series is scheduled to release April 2013, and book 3 in the series is scheduled to release September 2013.

What is your favorite Bible verse?

Phillipians 2:5: “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” (NIV)

What fun thing can you tell us about yourself that we don't know?

In high school I played varsity basketball.

What do you enjoy doing when you're not writing?

Being with my children and grandchildren, spending time at the beach, and of course reading.

How did you become involved in writing?

I minored in English in college and reading the literature in classes whetted my appetite for the written word. After that I became a voracious reader. When I retired from working, I sent a few short stories out. When the swift rejections arrived, I decided maybe I needed to know more about writing than just reading it. After reading writing craft books and magazines, my first article was accepted. I was hooked. Three years later my first two books released.

Where do you write? Do you have a dedicated office or a corner or nook in a room?

I have a desk, which I’ve used since high school, in the corner of a bedroom for my laptop, printer, day planner, etc., etc.

Can you use 3 words that describe you?

Positive, hopeful, enthusiastic.

Do you always know the title of your books before you write them?

In my mind I do. I plot my book in my mind. I choose a title that describes or summarizes that story. None of my titles have been changed by a publisher—yet.

Please tell us about *That Summer:

That Summer is the first book in The Caney Creek Series. The book is an inspirational Southern historical novel set in the Appalacian Mountains of East Tennessee. The Great Depression brings devastation to all, but love’s triangle survives.

To escape his poppa’s physical abuse and their dirt-poor farm life, Jim flees to an imagined prosperous city life where he can make his own choices, ignoring God patiently knocking on his heart’s door. Settled in town, Jim strays from God and the way of faith his momma taught him. He meets a girl and loses his heart … and meets another girl and loses his willpower. Jim wrestles with social and moral dilemmas as he makes a choice beside Caney Creek that will alter the lives of five people.

What do you hope readers takeaway after reading this book?

That Summer is the story of God’s forgiveness so readers will understand that no matter how far they may stray from Him, His forgiveness is available. The book’s message is that God does not abandon His children, but rather they let go of God. The reader will discover that God is always close, waiting on the other side of their heart’s door; waiting for the straying one to love Him and depend on Him.

Where did you get the idea for That Summer?

All of my ancestors and I were raised in the East Tennessee Appalachian Mountains area. I listened to their entertaining stories, especially at family reunions, about their times past. As my ancestors began to pass away, I felt that their stories should not be forgotten. That Summer is NOT a true story. It is a story of many stories with a good bit of embellishment from me.

Did you have to do research?

Yes. Thank goodness for the internet where I found factual details to include in my book.

How long have you been writing? When did you sell your first book?

I began writing in 1990, sold my first article in 1991, and sold my first book at a writers’ conference in 1993.

What are you working on now?

That Summer has just released. I’m writing on book two in the Caney Creek Series, planned to release in April 2013.

What advice would you give to writers just starting out?

Read all you can about the craft of writing. Find a writers’ conference near enough to be affordable for you to attend. Soak in all you can in the workshops and from the speakers, editors, and publishers even at meal times. Be prepared for rejection. They won’t be rejecting you but what you wrote. Margaret Mitchell received over twenty-five rejections for Gone With the Wind! They told her nobody wanted to read about the Civil War.

What encouragement could you give to writers who are playing the 

waiting game to get published?

In you’re writing for publication please remember that one of the fruit of the Spirit is patience. You already have patience. But when writing for publication, you’ll have many spaces of waiting time. Expect them. Prepare for them: build up your patience muscle by praying every day for God to help you. I’m positive that without His help I wouldn’t be a writer, much less a published one.

How was writing Fiction different than your usual Non-Fiction?

It is more fun. Writing fiction allowed me to stretch my imagination down any rabbit path you choose. While writing nonfiction, I’m confined to facts. While writing fiction, I can construct dreams for my characters and put those dreams down on paper. Writing fiction is no easier to get published than nonfiction is but the writing part is more fun for me.

What made you write a Fiction book?

This story has simmered in my mind for many years. I didn’t start the story when it first came to mind because I was unsure of my fiction writing talents. I finally told myself to just go ahead and put it on paper and see what it looks like and go from there.

Please tell our readers where they can get your book.

It should be available in paper book and in Ebook at Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com, CBD, and on the publisher’s website.

Where can our readers find you?

My website/blog: http://www.johuddleston.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jo.huddleston.hope

Amada, thank you for having me on your blog. It was fun talking with you and your readers.

Thank you Jo for talking with us today!  I pray you do well in all your en devours and especially with That Summer!

Note to all readers:Jo's publisher will sell her novel, That Summer, at a discounted price through this month of December only. You can buy the book for $9.99 if you click on this link  http://donaldjamesparker.com/sosproducts.aspx?p=473&c=5

No limit to number of books purchased, but only discounted through December, 2012. The Kindle and Nook books should be online this week. Paperback will be on Amazon, B&N, and CBD whenever they put them on their websites.

*Jo has graciously supplied a copy of her new book That Summer to be given away!  All you have to do is leave a comment on this post.  Make sure you leave your email address so you can be notified if you are the winner.  (Any comments with no email address will be disqualified from winning the book)   If you are worried about Spammers replace the @ and . with {AT} and {DOT}.  :) Happy Commenting! :)


P.S. I would LOVE it if you would follow my blog!  Just hit the "Join this site" button and GFC will tell ya what to de! :)