Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Wednesday Promo- Harlequin Love Inspired author-Terri Reed


I'm pleased today to be promoing an author who I met several years ago. She and her two critique partners came to my RWA chapter meeting and did a presentation on critiquing. After that, even though I was a nobody and a person who is quiet and tends to stand in the corner by myself at large gatherings, every time one of those three saw me at a conference they made it a point to say "hi" or come sit by me. And all of them were published authors. Their openness and friendship made me a fan. And after I was published I had the pleasure of sitting on a panel at a librarian's conference with Terri. That was a thrill! And now without any more of my chatter here is some info about Terri Reed, Harlequin Love Inspired author.
BIO:
At an early age Terri Reed discovered the wonderful world of fiction and declared she would one day write a book. Now she is fulfilling that dream and enjoys writing for Steeple Hill. Her second book, A Sheltering Love was a 2006 RITA Award Finalist and a 2005 National Reader’s Choice Award Finalist. Her book Strictly Confidential, book five of the Faith at the Crossroads continuity series, took third place in the 2007 Book of The Year Award. Her December 2007 book, Her Christmas Protector, took third place in the 2008 Book of the Year contest. She is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. She resides in the Pacific Northwest with her college-sweetheart husband, two wonderful children, and an array of critters. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, gardening and playing with her dogs.

Being an author for Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense which line do you feel is the most challenging to write for and why?

Wow, tough question right off the bat. Each line is equally challenging for different reasons. In my opinion the Love Inspired romances focus more on the character arc. For me this is challenging because I tend to write more plot driven stories so I find I have to reel back the action and up the emotional quotient.

For Love Inspired Suspense the challenge for me is to remember the romance amid all the action. I have to work hard to balance the character arc with the plot.

What brought you to the decision to write Inspirational romance?


I didn’t know about the genre when I first started writing romances. I had read mostly historical romances at the time and that was what I started out writing but quickly deduced I needed to write a contemporary because doing the research for a historical required trips to the library which were difficult with a baby attached at the hip. So I targeted Silhouette Romance. Not long after that I heard that Harlequin was starting a Christian fiction line. At the 96’ RWA conference in Dallas, I went to the spotlight on Steeple Hill and decided to focus my energy toward Love Inspired. It only took eight years to finally sell to the line.

You are a mom, an author, and a regional director for Romance Writers of America, how do you find a balance and keep your sanity?

Sanity? Ha! Some days sanity is in short supply. I write/ do RWA business and my own personal business (such as writing blogs and email) during school hours. I try not to let my “job” as a writer interfere with my family life. Mostly what keeps my life running relatively smooth is prioritizing and not letting myself get bogged down by too many details that I can’t control.

Fall in love again with these uplifting stories from Terri Reed.


Love Comes Home

Twelve years ago, Dr. Rachel Maguire followed her faith into medicine, choosing her career over love. But time never diminished her feelings for Josh Taylor, and now God is giving Rachel another chance—if she can overcome the pain of the past.

A Sheltering Love

With her faith as strong as her shoulders, Claire Wilcox opens a shelter for runaways. But it's her mysterious handyman who causes her sleepless nights. As their attraction grows, Nick Andrews must decide if he can trust in God's power to heal.

As I did the research for this story, I was touched by the plight of homeless teens. The many stories I read brought me to tears. And I discovered that homelessness among the youth in this country is reaching crisis proportions in every city in every state. Young people are routinely sleeping in parks, abandoned buildings, alleys and doorways. Lacking guidance, many turn to drugs, crime and violence. Without intervention the street culture becomes home and family.

But there are many, like Claire, who've stepped up to the plate and are trying to make a difference by supporting their local teen shelters.

Paty, Thanks for having me!

You can purchase this book here.

11 comments:

chanceofbooks said...

Great interview with Terri! I remember when Terri spoke to our chapter. She's a truly classy woman.

Renee said...

I am unpublished and write historical romances, I love every bit of the research, well most of it. I am really pleased that Love Inspired has launched a historical line. I don't think I'd ever be able to write within the bounds Steeple Hill requires. Do you find it a challenge to write real characters, especially with contemporaries, within their guidelines?

Renee

Helen Hardt said...

Congratulations on your success, Terri!

Helen

Mary Ricksen said...

Terri I wish you the best of sales.
Congratulations on your success.
Great interview!

Debra St. John said...

Hi Terri and Paty, Very nice interview, ladies.

Genene Valleau, writing as Genie Gabriel said...

Hi, Terri and Paty!

Terri, it's so good to hear an update on your releases! So glad you took the time to visit Paty and that I noticed this -- though late in the day!

Lauri said...

Wonderful interview. Thank you Terri for sharing your journey with us, and thanks Paty for hosting! Two more books to add to my list!

Rebecca J. Clark said...

A fellow Pacific Northwesterner! Great interview. Congrats on all your success.

:)Becky

Anonymous said...

It took you eight years to sell to love inspired, but you kept at it and didn't give up. That's an encouragement to other authors.

Terri Reed said...

Hi, wow, I had the date confused, I thought the interview was posting today so I'm late to the party. So sorry.
Wavybrains, you're too kind.
Renee, I find building believable characters to be both easy and challenging, regardless whether for the Inspirational market or the ABA. It all comes down to character motivations.
Helen, Mary, Debra, Genene, Laurie, Rebecca and Elaine, thank you for your kind welcome.

I think my week is so screwy because I had to send off my manuscript today before leaving town in the morning for an RWA board meeting. The book is due on Monday. Whew. Talk about barely making it.
Thank you Paty for having me here. I love your blog and am adding to my favorites.
Terri

Paty Jager said...

Terri, Thank you for being a guest. I enjoy giving other authors space to let people learn about them.

Have a safe trip! I'm headed to the Spokane conference tomorrow!