Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Interview with Author Carrie Turansky

I am so excited to welcome talented author (and sweet friend) Carrie Turansky to CatMom's Corner today. In less than a week (October 15), Carrie's historical romance novel The Governess of Highland Hall will release! If you're a fan of the wonderful Downton Abbey series, you will love Carrie's book. I've had the pleasure of reading it, and truthfully did not want the story to end.
Welcome Carrie, and thank you for visiting my corner and answering a few questions. This is an honor and blessing for me!

1. How long have you been writing?
I've been writing fiction since 1997. Our family spent a year in Kenya before that as missionaries. After we returned to the U.S. I missed Africa so much that I decided to write a story set there as a way to relive some of our experiences. I poured out the story without knowing much about the art of writing fiction. I loved it! But when I showed it to an editor at my first writers' conference, I found out I had a lot to learn about writing novels. I almost gave up writing at that point, but the Lord used a kind neighbor to encourage me with a gift of several writing craft books. I sensed the Lord telling me to press on and learn what I needed to learn to become a skilled writer.
2. How did you get the idea/inspiration for The Governess of Highland Hall?
Early in 2012 I attended a librarian's conference in Philadelphia and had a conversation with Sue Brower, who was the Editor at Zondervan at that time. I asked her what she was looking for, and she said she'd love to find an English historical romance set in the same time period as Downton Abbey with a governess as the heroine and a brooding hero, a little like Jane Eyre, but inspirational. I loved that idea, but I wasn't confident I could do all the research necessary to write a story that rang true to the time and customs. My good friend and fellow author, Cathy Gohlke, had just published Promise Me This, which starts in England in 1912. She encouraged me and loaned me several research books. I jumped in, and found I loved that time period and the story just rose out of the research.
3. Where do you usually write?
I use a laptop, so I can write in several different places. I have a corner desk in our dining room for my office, and I write there sometimes, but I often sit in a recliner in the living room or in a comfy chair in my bedroom. When the weather is nice I like to sit out back on our patio and write there.
4. When not writing, what keeps you busy?
My husband Scott and I often travel on ministry trips and to see our kids and grandkids. We're very involved in our church and love to have people into our home for Bible Study or to share a meal. I am blessed with some great girlfriends, and I enjoy going out to lunch and shopping with them. Spending time with family is always a highlight for me.
5. Please tell us a little about your family.
    Do you have any pets?
We are blessed with five children who are all grown and on their own now. The older three are married, and my oldest son and his wife have three children. Having grandkids is a great experience! We love them so much. They live in California and we live in New Jersey, so that means we don't get to see them as often as we'd like, but when we do get together, it's very special. My oldest son is a pastor, and my oldest daughter is going to grad school at NYU studying International Health and Nursing Education. My younger son is a Marine stationed in Alabama. I'll tell you more about my two youngest daughters below.

We don't have any pets at home right now, but our younger two daughters, who are twins, are professional pet groomers. They took their rabbits and birds with them when they moved into an apartment a year ago. They are the only ones who live close by. They often come over and share fun stories with us about their pets and the dogs they groom, so we are very in tune with pets and pet lovers.
6. I'm always interested in "favorites" so if you'd please tell us your FAVORITE  FOOD: Homemade Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
    DRINK: Earl Grey Tea
    COLOR:Blue
    VACATION SPOT: England
     HOLIDAY: Thanksgiving
     BIBLE VERSE: "Send forth Your light and Your truth, let them guide me, let them bring me to Your holy mountain."  Psalm 43:3

Carrie Turansky is the award-winning author of eleven inspirational romance novels and novellas. Her latest are: The Governess of Highland Hall; Snowflake Sweethearts; A Man To Trust; and Surrendered Hearts.
Carrie lives in New Jersey with her husband Scott who is a pastor, speaker, and the author of several parenting books. Carrie loves to connect via her website:  http://carrieturansky.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorcarrieturansky?ref=hl
Twitter: https://twitter.com/carrieturansky
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/carrieturansky/boards/

I'm posting a few photos today featuring Carrie, her beautiful book cover, and just for fun a photo of Carrie and me at the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference in September. It was "Genre Night" for writers to dress as one of their story characters. Carrie was so lovely in her long dress and beautiful hat! Since one of my characters is a teacher, I wore one of my "schoolteacher outfits" from years ago.
Any reader leaving a comment on this blog post will be entered into a drawing for a copy of Carrie's wonderful book, The Governess of Highland Hall. ~ The winner will be announced on October 16!
 
 

10 comments:

Carrie Turansky said...

Hi Patti Jo, thanks so much for posting this info and sharing it with our friends. I love that photo of us together at ACFW. Happy memories!
Carrie

Wilma said...

Enjoyed the interview and love Carrie and her books.
Wilma Metcalf


wilmamet6(at)gmail(dot)com

CatMom said...

Hi Carrie, it's my pleasure to post your interview, and since I genuinely enjoyed your book so much, I want to make sure other readers know about it!
Yes, our time at ACFW was such fun!
Blessings, Patti Jo

CatMom said...

Hi Wilma,
Thank you for stopping by! Carrie is wonderful, isn't she?
I look forward to reading many more of Carrie's books in the future.
You are entered in the book drawing, Wilma, and thanks again for visiting.
Blessings, Patti Jo (CatMom)

Sandra Orchard said...

Hi Carrie & Patti Jo! Great interview. Huge congratulations on this book Carrie. So pleased that it came together for you! I'm probably one of the few who have never watched Downtown Abby, although I love all the PBS remakes of Jane Austen's books. Does that count? :) Wish you all the best in this new venture!

CatMom said...

Hi Sandra!
WHAT?! You haven't watched Downton Abbey? *grin* Seriously, I think you'd love it---after only one episode, I was hooked. And with Carrie's book I was also hooked--I did NOT want it to end, so I'm thankful she's writing more!
Thanks for stopping by, dear friend. Hugs, Patti Jo

Rebecca Maney said...

Would love to read this book! Loved browsing the Pinterest boards! I am following two, now.
Rebecca Maney rmaney@firstarpchurch.org

CatMom said...

Hi Rebecca,
Thanks for stopping by my corner, and you're entered in the drawing! Have a wonderful weekend.
Blessings, Patti Jo (CatMom)

Susan Marlene said...

Oh Patty Jo and Carrie Turansky what a wonderful interview! The cover on the book is absolutely beautiful!! I will check out this book soon!! :)

CatMom said...

Thanks for stopping by, Sue!
Be sure and look for Carrie's book---it's awesome!
Hugs, Patti Jo :)