Saturday, June 19, 2010

Interview With Deborah Vogts and Book Giveaway!



Thank you for being with us today, Deborah!


How long have you known you wanted to be an author? - Ever since I was in high school. I began writing my Great American Novel as a junior—Splendor of the Sun. That earned me an A++ in Senior English. LOL

I studied English and journalism in college, but it wasn’t until 2002 that I began taking serious steps to be published. I joined a local writer’s group and ACFW, (an online writing organization). I also joined a critique group, started reading writing how-to’s and attended writing conferences. I met my first agent at the ACFW Nashville Conference in 2005. We hit it off at our meeting, and she gave me some tips on making my book series “bigger.” I did that and submitted my idea to her and she took me on. We shopped my Seasons of the Tallgrass series for a year and had a few bites (one of them Zondervan) but no sale. In the end, she released me, which was a real heart breaker. However, we don’t always see the big picture like God does, and six months later I signed with agent, Rachelle Gardner with WordServe Literary, and we had an offer from Zondervan three months after that in May 2008.



When a reader gets done with your book, what do you want them to come away with? - I
’d like readers to remember how important family relations are and that we can get through our difficulties if we remember to love and forgive each other. I also hope to give my readers a taste of the Flint Hills and of how God’s beauty rests on the prairie and in the hearts of those who live there.

Can you tell me a little bit about your book? - Seeds of Summer is the second book in the Seasons of the Tallgrass
series. It’s a heart-warming contemporary romance set in the Flint Hills of Kansas where a former rodeo queen abandons her dreams in order to care for her deceased father’s ranch and her two half-siblings, only to realize with the help of a young new pastor that God can turn even the most dire circumstances into seeds of hope.

Is there a place you have always wanted to visit? A vacation spot, historical monument, overseas, etc? - Like most people, I think it would be fun to go to Europe and travel the countryside for a month, but I don’t suppose that will ever happen. Did I mention I have an aversion to flying? LOL. That said, I think it would be awesome to travel across the United States in an RV with my husband. I love the mountains, so I’m sure that would be in our travel itinerary.

If you could have dinner with 2 people, who would they be? - I’d like to visit with
movie producers, maybe Larry Levinson or Michael Landon Jr, and try to convince them to make a movie out of my book! LOL. For my newest release, we could get Megan Fox to play Natalie and Keanu Reeves to play Jared Logan. J


What one event would you love to be at? Historical or future? – I think it would have been neat to have lived in the
late 1800’s when the American West was being settled. I love historical fiction and always try to include in my book research various historical aspects about my setting. I especially enjoy reading journals or nonfiction books about ranching and or the Flint Hills. Writing a historical novel may well be something I try to tackle one day.

Do you have a favorite hobby? -
I like to take walks with our two golden retrievers or dig in the dirt in my flower beds or garden. I also enjoy playing the piano, baking something, sewing or scrapbooking! Oh the joys. J

Is there something about you most people wouldn't know?
- I am weird in that I LIKE to mow. We have a large yard, so it takes me about two hours on an industrial-sized mower, but I enjoy this time to just think or sing. LOL. Yes, I sometimes sing when I mow. It’s also a good time for me to pray or to plot out scenes in my current writing project.

Do you have any suggestions for the aspiring writer? -
Write what is on your heart and don’t be discouraged. Read LOTS of books (especially those in your genre), join a writing group and/or a critique group. Write, and continue learning the craft. Be open to criticism and helpful advice. Never give up.

Right before I landed my second agent, I almost gave up on my dreams, and I am so thankful I didn’t. Not that God would have let me. I searched and asked that he give me scripture answers that would lead me in the right direction. Some of those he gave were: Isaiah 41:13, Deuteronomy 31:8, Proverbs 3:5-6, and my favorite one that ministered to me and still does today, “Be Still and Know that I am God.”



Any last thoughts for your readers? -
Keep smiling, stay faithful to God and to yourself, and enjoy the moments He gives you. Thank you, Charity, for having me on your blog. Many blessings to you and your readers.

And how can they connect with you? – Author Web site:
http://www.deborahvogts.com or visit me at my Country at Heart Blog: http://www.deborahvogts.blogspot.com

Author Bio: Deborah Vogts and her husband have three daughters and make their home in Southeast Kansas where they raise and train American Quarter Horses. As a student at Emporia State University studying English and journalism, Deborah developed a love for the Flint Hills

Deborah has offered to give one of my readers a copy
of her newest book, Seeds of Summer.

TO ENTER-Leave a comment stating whether you have read any of Deborah's works. This must be done or the extra entries will not count.

Extra Entries-
1.Become a follower of my blog.
2.Become a subscriber through my RSS Feed.
3.Become a follower of me on Twitter.
4.Tweet this giveaway. Can be done twice a day.
5.Blog about this giveaway or post on Facebook.
6.Enter any of my other giveaways.
You must leave a comment for each extra entry you do so I can add them all up. And if you are already a follower or subscriber, etc, leave a comment letting me know. Thanks everyone!!


This giveaway will end 6/25 Winner will be chosen through Random.org.

34 comments:

Steve Capell said...

I haven’t read any of this author’s books, but your review sounds like a book that I would take pleasure in reading.

Thanks you so much for hosting this giveaway.

steven(dot)capell(at)gmail(dot)com

Ariel Wilson said...

I haven't read any of her books, but this one sounds very good.

pinkdaddysgirl[at]msn[dot]com

Ariel Wilson said...

I am a follower of your blog.

pinkdaddysgirl[at]msn[dot]com

Ariel Wilson said...

I have entered a few past giveaways. Two I remember for sure are the mailing labels and the Tyson chicken coupons.

pinkdaddysgirl[at]msn[dot]com

Deborah Vogts said...

Thanks for having me on your blog, Charity. Blessings to you & your readers!

karenk said...

i haven't read any of deborah's books (yet)..thanks for the chance to read this one :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Mystica said...

I havent read any of her books (as yet)

mystica123athotmaildotcom

Mystica said...

I follow on GFC

mystica123athotmaildotcom

Mystica said...

I have entered the Hannah Alexander giveaway.

mystica123athotmaildotcom

Michelle said...

I have never read any of Deborah's books.
I've actually never heard of her til now.
I would love to read this book.

Michelle said...

I am a follower of your blog.

Ann Lee Miller said...

I haven't read Deborah, but would like to.

Thanks,
Ann
Ann_Lee_Miller@msn.com

Sandee61 said...

I've read Deborah's "Snow Melts in Spring" and enjoyed it very much. I'd love to be entered in the giveaway for "Seeds of Summer". Thank you!

Blessings,
Sandee61

Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com

Sandee61 said...

I'm a follower!

Sandee61

Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com

Casey said...

Love the new look for you. :) Would love to be entered, this book looks fantastic! I am a follower and have entered giveaways on your blog in the past. Email in profile and thank you!

misskallie2000 said...

I have not read any of Deborah's books but have her on my new author list and her books on my wish list.

I follow your blog via google

Follow on twitter(misskallie2000)
tweet
misskallie2000 Win Seeds of Summer at http://giveawaygal.blogspot.com
less than 20 seconds ago via web

Thanks for hosting this giveaway and the opportunity to enter.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I am a follower of your blog.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dit)com

Anonymous said...

I have never read any of her books but I would to!

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

karenk said...

rss subscriber :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Nancye said...

I haven't read any of Deborah's books yet.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I subscribe via RSS Feed

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I follow you on Twitter
@NancyeDavis

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I entered your giveaway for "A Simple Amish Christmas"

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Tweet! Tweet!
@NancyeDavis

http://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/16829580658

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Diana Ferguson said...

No, I have never read any of her work. So.......that's why I have my little fingers crossed!!!

Diana Ferguson said...

Sorry...I meant to tell you in the first comment that I entered another giveaway as well.

Thanks

Tori said...

I have never read any of Deborah's works
vrtheriot@gmail.com

Tori said...

I am a follow of this blog
vrtheriot@gmail.com

Tori said...

I entered your glass blower giveaway
vrtheriot@gmail.com

skgaff said...

I have never read any of Deborah Vogts' books
glass.stephanie(at)gmail(dot)com

skgaff said...

subscribe via rss feed
glass.stephanie(at)gmail(dot)com

skgaff said...

entered peter rabbit organics giveaway
glass.stephanie(at)gmail(dot)com

Pam said...

I've read Snow Melts in Spring; it was very good. I also met Deborah last fall when she graciously took time for lunch with my book club. She's a very nice, down to earth lady. Thanks for featuring her on your blog.
pmk56@sbcglobal.net

Deborah Vogts said...

Thanks everyone for stopping by to say hello and enter a chance to win Seeds of Summer. Blessings to you all.

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