Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Introducing Award-winning Canadian Author Stacey Weeks with Giveaway


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you said I was instrumental in helping you brainstorm and finish a few books because my first two novels would still be unpublished without your input and encouragement.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 3rd, 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.

23 comments:

  1. I love the relationship the two of you have! Iron sharpens iron and it’s great that 2 Christian authors can inspire each other so much! Wishing you much success on your new novel, Stacey!

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  2. Thank you! I am grateful the Lord saw fit to cross my path with Sandra. She is a gem!

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  3. I wish I had someone to brainstorm with! But I find it very difficult to brainstorm with anyone because it's so hard to explain what I need. It's like I have to keep it to myself until I'm finished. Although Sandra has helped me once before, but I think I was able to articulate the story by the time we brainstormed. lol Wishing you the best in your writing! And Sandra, hurry up with another Serena story!!

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    1. Ack! What I love about Stacey is she can read soooo fast, I don't have to explain the story, she just reads what I have and we run from there. :)

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    2. I love Sandra's Serena stories as well, but her romantic suspense are my favourites!

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  4. Congratulations Stacey on the release of your novel! A question: when you say you like to plan, how in depth does your plotting get?

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    1. Thank you, Carolyn. The more I write, the more detailed I plot. I just finished my third novel and I plotted it far more than the previous two and it was much easier to write. I am just starting to plot my fourth and it is very detailed. I won't start writing my first draft until I have it all figured out. It's not how everyone likes to write, but it works well for me. It enables me to pick it up and put it down with ease - which is helpful with three kids at home!

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  5. I love the cover and description of In Too Deep - I'll look out for it! Great interview - thank you, ladies.

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. Thanks, Iola, I was pleased with the final cover as well. My publisher designed it. If you read it, I'd love to hear your thoughts! (I had to delete my first comment because I was missing a word! lol. It wouldn't let me edit it.)

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  6. Hi Sandra, great "seeing" you once again on ICFW. And thank you for introducing Stacey to us. And lovely that the 2 of you have become great writing buddies.

    Hello Stacey, the cover of "In too Deep" reminds me of the "The Deep" a movie made in the 70s (yes, I'm showing my age) starring Jacqueline Bisset & Nick Nolte. Congratulations on your career to date and may this new novel find a beautiful new audience.

    I hope you might pop across to ICFW another time.

    Blessings,

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    1. Hi Ian, I've never heard of that movie. I'll have to look it up. Did you enjoy the movie?

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    2. Thanks for the warm welcome, Ian! Always feels like home. I'm afraid I haven't been around cyberspace much for the past while.

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  7. Love your partnership. I also love the idea of bouncing ideas off your fans. I have been doing this and it really builds a 'team' feel. They're helping me choose titles, get around blocks in the way and vote on covers. The book sounds great.

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    1. I one-upped that with my Serena Jones Mysteries. I invited my readers to choose who the heroine would end up with by the end of the series. And they didn't vote for who I expected! And the talley didn't come in until a month before the final book was due!!!

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    2. Hi Christine, I love the interaction that Facebook allows. It is always great for fresh and new ideas.
      I thought Sandra was so brave to let her fans choose Serena's love interest. It made for some last minute changes! It was super fun to read her fan's comments. They were really invested.

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  8. Stacey, can't wait till I start reading the BOXED Set of mystery books I won with the interview with Sandra Orchard today.

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    1. That was actually connected to my blog from last week. So not one of Stacey's books, but one of Patricia Bradley's. So glad you're excited to start reading them. :)

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    2. Congratulations on the win! I hope you enjoy Patricia Bradley's books.

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  9. Thanks to everyone who left a comment for Stacey! Our winner of her debut novel is Carolyn Miller. Carolyn watch for a FB or Google+ message (if I figure out how to do that) with details how to download it. If you don't see it, please email me via my website and I will email you back.

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    1. Yay! Thanks so much, Sandra and Stacey. Looking forward to a great read!

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    2. Congratulations, Carolyn. I hope you enjoy The Builder's Reluctant Bride!

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