Introducing Award-winning Canadian Author Stacey Weeks with Giveaway

Sandra Orchard here.

I have the pleasure of introducing fellow writer and friend, Stacey Weeks. The Word Awards named Stacey’s debut novel, The Builder’s Reluctant Bride, the Best Christian Romance by a Canadian author in 2016. 

Her debut non-fiction book, Glorious Surrender, won the Women’s Journey of Faith award in 2016. Stacey and I met about six years ago. She read an article in the newspaper about my debut book series with Harlequin and noticed we lived relatively close together, so she emailed me. She soon became a valued brainstorming partner, instrumental in helping me finish several books, most memorably, Identity Withheld.

Thanks for being here today, Stacey.

I’m happy to be here! You know, I laughed when you said I was instrumental in helping you brainstorm and finish a few books because my first two novels would still be unpublished without your input and encouragement. I feel like I benefit from our writing friendship far more than you!

Ah, that’s so sweet of you to say. You have a new novel releasing soon. Can you tell me about that?

Yes, White Rose Publishing releases In Too Deep on November 3^rd, 2017.

Can you summarize the story in about 30 words?

A cautious lifeguard’s only hope of rescue rests with an adventurous risk-taking camp director, but his confidence wavers when a saboteur emerges determined to destroy the camp at any cost.

What inspired you to write In Too Deep? Where do you find most of your ideas?

I save newspaper articles with strange but true reports. A daring water rescue inspired one scene from In Too Deep. I used the idea near the end of the book, so I plotted the book backward – from end to beginning.

That’s interesting. Do you plot all your books that way?

As a planner, I always plot my stories, but plotting backward was a first. However, the plan doesn’t always transfer to the story the way I envision, and near the end of In Too Deep, I was frustrated because the characters unexpectedly led the story a new way. I was stuck. I discussed the issue with you, and I posted some questions onto my Facebook author page inviting my followers to comment. The solution came from a suggestion posted there, and you helped me weave it through the story.

Do you post questions to Facebook often?

I invite my followers to make suggestions for every book. Often, the best ideas come from avid readers. The most helpful tip earns one lucky commenter a signed copy of a book.

Writing definitely has it ups and downs. Can you share how you have navigated the disappointments?

Interestingly enough, when my first novel submission was rejected, I kept the email because it contained some encouragement and great advice. Years later, and I mean YEARS later, I resubmitted the book and that same publisher picked it up. The Builder’s Reluctant Bride.

What changed from the original submission in the one that sold?

Almost everything! The characters changed so much that I eventually renamed them. You and I reviewed the plot and your concerns matched the concerns of that first rejection. We worked together and a successful story emerged.

😊 Do you have a book to give away today?

Yes! The Builder’s Reluctant Bride is an ebook, and I will send a free download code to today’s winner.

That's awesome. Since our blog readers are all over the world, we'll give readers a few days to leave comments and randomly choose a name on Friday. Could you direct us to where readers can find you?

Website: www.staceyweeks.com - I post weekly devotionals and regular home renovation projects and crafts under the blog tab and you’ll find links and information to all of my books.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/writerSWeeks - This is where I post questions to readers and collect feedback for projects. It’s also where you’ll find the most up to date information.

Newsletter:   http://eepurl.com/cZgDb9  The newsletter is emailed once every spring, summer, fall, and winter and is full of information, deals, and opportunities available only to subscribers.

Twitter: @writerSWeeks

 Thanks so much for visiting with us today. 

Your Turn: Please leave a question or comment for Stacey to be entered for a chance to win a copy of her first novel. 

Sandra Orchard is the award-winning author of several books, including A Fool and His Monet; Another Day, Another Dali; and the Port Aster Secrets series. The winner of six Canadian writing Awards and a Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, Sandra has also received a HOLT Medallion Award of Merit, a National Readers’ Choice Award, and a Daphne du Maurier Award. She lives in Ontario, Canada. Learn more at www.sandraorchard.com.