Saturday, April 9, 2011

Interview with Rosslyn Elliott and GIVEAWAY!

Hey everybody! Today I have another wonderful author who just had her debut novel published! Rosslyn Elliott is here today with her new novel, Fairer Than Morning. I have received a copy for review and I will be posting my review next week. Just haven't had time to read it all yet:) But, Rosslyn will be interviewed below and she has graciously offered a copy of her book for a giveaway!! And did I mention it will be signed:) Read on and find out how to win a copy.

Thank you for being with us today, Rosslyn!!!

My pleasure! It’s so exciting to have a first novel come out, and I’m glad to get a chance to chat about the book.


How long have you known you wanted to be an author?

Like many writers, I’ve been dreaming of it my whole life. Creative writing was always my first love. For years, I wasn’t brave enough to pursue it professionally, so I kept following parallel tracks like studying theater or studying literature. That way, I was still close to creative writing without having to make that leap of faith and risk rejection. Thank goodness I finally got up my nerve to start writing novels. As Woody Allen used to say, 80 percent of success is just showing up. So if anyone else out there has an unwritten novel in your head, go for it. Don’t be afraid to try. The process of writing a novel offers tremendous rewards regardless of whether it ever sees the light of day through a traditional publisher.
Can you tell me a little bit about your new book?

Fairer than Morning is an adventurous heroic romance based on the true story of the Hanby family of Westerville, Ohio. Here’s a brief description of the story: Ann Miller could choose a life of comfort and beauty with her poetic suitor, but her compassionate heart calls her to help another man whose life is in danger. Is it love, or freedom, that will prove to be Fairer than Morning?

The story behind this first series of mine struck me like a thunderbolt when I visited a small house museum in Westerville, Ohio. When I learned about the family who had once lived in that house, I knew I had to novelize this incredible story of love and courage that involved the Underground Railroad. The whole time I was writing the first and second novels, I was just praying to do justice to the story. Since I had been blessed with the opportunity to tell it, I wanted to tell it really well.



When a reader gets done with your book, what do you want them to come away with?

I hope readers will be filled with the conviction that love is real, and that ordinary people can make a difference even when circumstances seem overwhelmingly against them. I hope readers will be uplifted by the way that true romance is sacrificial, like divine love.

Is there a place you have always wanted to visit? A vacation spot, historical monument, overseas, etc?

Oh, so many places! More than anything, I’d like to travel Europe with my family. I lived in England as a child for three years, while my Air Force father was stationed there. I’d love it if my daughter had the chance to see some of the ancient historical sites, plus the natural beauty of the countryside.

If you could have dinner with 2 people, who would they be?

I’d really like to have dinner with some of my oldest friends. They’re all long distance right now. Can you tell I’m missing my friends? Writing can be a lonely business at times because writers spend their work time alone with their thoughts. It makes me value my oldest friendships all the more.

What one event would you love to be at? Historical or future?

OK, I’ll dream big. I’d love to be present at the creation of the world. How gorgeous that would be, to see the universe come into existence: first light, and the appearance of land and sea and my favorite of all, the animals. Breathtaking—or breathgiving (hee hee). I think C.S. Lewis has come closer than any other author to depicting that kind of creative majesty.

Do you have a favorite hobby?

I love to sing. My daughter and I make up cute little songs about our dogs, or anything we’re thinking about at the moment. I also have a passion for classical music, but I’m mostly a fan. The only way I can participate is by singing choral classical pieces, since I don’t play an instrument, but I’m also more than happy to just listen.

Is there something about you most people wouldn't know?

Oh, that’s a hard one for me, because I don’t try to hide much. But I think different parts of me would surprise different people. For example, my professors from grad school mostly saw my analytical, scholarly side. Some of them may be surprised by the deep emotion and depiction of faith in my fiction. But as a novelist, you have to be willing to reveal who you really are to your readers.

Do you have any suggestions for the aspiring writer?

Don’t be afraid to try! But also, take your time and enjoy learning to write. Once you have a contract and a deadline, you lose the luxury of time and experimentation, so take pleasure in those gifts while you are learning. Find other supportive writers who will become friends and mutual cheerleaders. I have so much fun laughing with critique group friends at something that didn’t come out quite the way I intended! That’s the beauty of trusting one’s partners.



Any last thoughts for your readers?

Just a heartfelt thanks to every reader. I hope Fairer than Morning blesses you as much as writing it blessed me.
And how can they connect with you?

Please feel free to visit me at my website www.rosslynelliott.com (note the two Ls and two Ts—Elliott can be a tricky spelling!) I blog there and I love to talk with reader and writer friends in the comments section, or through the contact form.
Thank you so much for being here today! It was a pleasure having you:)



Okay, so I know you all are anxiously waiting the news. How to enter for your own copy of this wonderful book! You seriously do not want to miss this. Sometimes a new author makes you hope that their books get better but some, like Rosslyn, make you wonder if they really are new at writing:)

MANDATORY ENTRY-
Since this book is a historical fiction, tell me what item you would most miss if you were living back in this time period. This must be done or the extra entries will not count.

US ONLY!!

EXTRA ENTRIES-Please leave a comment for each entry.
1.Blog or post about this on Facebook. Get 3 entries for each.
2.Follow my blog via GFC, subscribe through RSS Feed or follow me on Twitter. Get one entry for each you do.
3.Enter any of my other currently running giveaways. Let me know which ones.
4.Leave a comment on any of my review only posts. This must be for reviews only! Leave a comment for each.
5.Tweet about this giveaway. Can be done three times a day.

6.Go over and leave a comment on Rosslyn's blog. Please tell her you came from Giveaway Lady.
7.Follow Rosslyn's blog via GFC. Let me know what you did:)
8.Follow Rosslyn on Twitter. Let me know your username.

This giveaway will end 4/18. Winner will be chosen through Random.org. They will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.

37 comments:

debbie said...

I would miss my kitchen appliances - the stove, fridge, and the washing machine and dryer. Those time saving and back breaking appliances would be really missed.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Jennifer Earnest-King said...

Hands down: the air conditioning. I live in Louisiana.

maincobain@yahoo.com

Vanessa said...

I with miss my a/c. I live in Florida and walking to my car in August is miserable!!

Carla Gade said...

Thanks for the great review! Sounds like a fascinating book.

I'd really miss my computer! Also, my washing machine & dryer.

I'm following your blog now!

Carla Gade said...

Following you on twitter!!

Carla Gade said...

Following Roslyn on twitter.

Carla Gade said...

Left Rosslyn a comment on her blog!

Carla Gade said...

I'm following Rosslyn's blog! :)

Lil Grit said...

Please enter me for a free copy! I would miss most of all the freedoms that I have as a woman in 2011. We have worked so hard to simply be considered equal to men, and it's still an ongoing fight. I can't imagine living in a time when I would have been so limited by my gender. Thanks for interviewing Rosslyn!

Debra E. Marvin said...

novacaine.

Thanks for hosting Rosslyn, so we could learn a bit more about her. I've been looking forward to this book for quite awhile, after hearing little snippets about the plot.

Anonymous said...

I would love to read this book.
gardnerad@juno.com

Keli Gwyn said...

I"d miss my computer most. I spend countless hours in front of it.

Please don't enter me in the drawing, though. I'll be receiving Rosslyn's book from Amazon any day. =)

Susan said...

I'd miss hot running water to fill a bathtub with. As simple as it sounds, that's what I most look forward to after a few weeks in the wilderness which is what I imagine is the closest thing to Rosslyn's time period that I've actually experienced.

Rosslyn Elliott said...

Hi everybody!

Thanks so much for coming by and leaving your comments. I really appreciate your support, and I look forward to sending out the book to our eventual winner.

Taffy said...

I would miss flushing potties and TP!


taffy(dot)lovell@gmail.com

Taffy said...

I'm a follower via GFC.

Pamela J said...

One of the things I would most miss 'back in the day' would be my computer. I use it for many things. I have lost an external hard drive recently that made me realize how much I do depend on the computer every day.

I'm thrilled to have my name entered for Rosslyn Elliott's debut novel. Wouldn't computers have made information so much easier to keep track of during underground railroad times?

I commented on two of your posts, though they are not reviews of books but one on mom's wise words and one on medical lawyers information.

I made a comment on Louise M Gouge's interview though I already have this book and don't need to enter the giveaway for myself.

I went and made a comment on Rosslyn's blog and told her you sent me.

I'm now a follower of your blog.

Pam Williams
cepjwms at wb4me dot com

Sylvia said...

Well, I would probably miss electricity the most. We use it sooo much that we probably don't realize the some things won't run without it.

This book looks great and I'm looking forward to reading it!

nina4sm/at/gmail/dot/com

Sylvia said...

I am a follower.

nina4sm/at/gmail/dot/com

Sylvia said...

I commented on the giveaway for Louise M. Gouge's book.

nina4sm/at/gmail/dot/com

Sylvia said...

I am a follower of Rosslyn's blog.

nina4sm/at/gmail/dot/com

Sylvia said...

I commented on the review for Denise Hunter's new book "A Cowboy's Touch".

nina4sm/at/gmail/dot/com

Sylvia said...

I commented on the review for Lisa Morrone's book, "Get Healthy for Heaven's Sake".

nina4sm/at/gmail/dot/com

Anne Payne said...

I would definitely miss running water, especially HOT running water :)

homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

Anne Payne said...

I'm a follower of your blog.

homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

Anne Payne said...

I left a comment on your review of Denise Hunter's new book.

homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

Anne Payne said...

I'm following Rosslyn's blog.

homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

Anne Payne said...

I left a comment on Rosslyn's blog post about the lady who left the Amish community.

homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

Courtney said...

I would most miss the ease of communicating in historical times. Today we can pick up a phone, write an e-mail, send a text to pretty much anyone all over the world. In historical times communication far away takes a lot longer! :-)

kcmelone/at/yahoo/dot/com

Courtney said...

I follow you on twitter

kcmelone/at/yahoo/dot/com

Courtney said...

I also commented on the interview/giveaway for Louise M Gouge's book. Thank you.

kcmelone/at/yahoo/dot/com

Ann Lee Miller said...

I would miss airplanes. :)
Ann_Lee_Miller@msn.com

Ann Lee Miller said...

I'm a follower.
Ann_Lee_Miller@msn.com

Jo said...

I would definitely miss the air conditioner as I live in Arizona.

Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

the washing machine
galyettina(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

computer and internet, unfortunately
devotus at yahoo dot com

Giveaway Lady said...

And Sylvia was the winner! Congrats!

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