Hi Sara, Thanks for asking. My favorite part of the writing process is writing THE END. 🙂 Actually, what I love the most is brainstorming the books, playing with the characters in my mind.
The next Rancho Cameron Adventure SHOULD be available possibly by fall. It’s written but needs a lot of revision at this point.
How did I come up with the names of the books? That’s a good question but I’m not sure I remember so long has gone by. I like titles that have a kind of element suggesting adventure – Catastrophe, Fiasco, Calamity… so I played with those.
Hi Emmy, Great questions! Glad you like the interview.
To answer your last question first – I have been published by traditional publishers in the past. The Rancho Cameron books will be self-published. Other books, such as the Saddle UP – Rawhide Ranch Adventures – began with a traditional publisher but have since gone to self publishing. It’s easier and I (and my excellent editorial consultant, Susan K. Marlow) have more control over the finished product.
My favorite thing I’ve ever written? Hm, I’m not really sure I write so much! I guess I’d have to say a story I wrote when I was 12. Can’t remember the title now but it was a mystery. My friends in 7th grade read it at lunch time and passed it around the classroom. That was the most fun writing. There was no expectation of getting published, just having fun with my friends.
That’s a hard question to answer. I HAVE started a book for teens – set in the late 1950’s – a mystery. Will it be a series, I don’t think so – it’s more a stand alone book.
My teenaged years weren’t really happy so I enjoy writing more for a young age. But, I’ve learned never say never. It could happen!
Hi Makenna! I love Westerns too and grew up watching a lot of them with my dad. In fact, our whole family loves westerns so much that most of my nephews are named either for characters from Western TV shows or movies or places in the West.
As a little girl, I thought it would be paradise to live on a big ranch with a lot of brothers (I do have one!) and all those horses. Now I live in a rural area but I am too busy sadly to keep a horse.
Hello Abigail! At the moment, I don’t have horses. But when my parents first bought our farm in the country, we did have two horses. Starfire must have been an ex-circus horse. He was terrible about letting anyone ride! His favorite thing was to run into the barn – it had a very low doorway – and topple anyone on his back. We eventually had to find him a nice home where he wasn’t too bothered with a lot of people. 😦
Then, my sister worked for a Horse Ranch (totally cool job right?) and the owner let her have a colt as partial payment. She named the horse Lady Diana Spencer (my sister was big into royalty then.) Lady lived a long happy life but is now gone. I took care of her most of the time so she was very special to me.
Other hobbies? I’m like you – too many! I do enjoy sewing, crafting, gardening, reading, embroidery, traveling and trying new things. The only thing I’m really terrible at is baking! But I have to say I’m never bored.
Hm – good question. Usually I have no problem with characters except getting them to be quiet! Most of the time a character pops into my mind and I have to write about them.
My hardest part is keeping the middle of the story interesting. I can usually think of a beginning and how it ends – but the part in the middle sometimes drags along. And I don’t outline so that can be a problem.
Wow! The books look so cool! Thankyou for doing the giveaway! What is your favorite part of writing books? Also how do you get your inspiration for writing books?
Hi Katie, My absolute favorite part of writing a book is having a reader tell me how much they liked it!
If you mean the actual writing part, I love just playing with the story, thinking of scenes and what could happen.
Inspiration is kind of like a bubble. It floats just out of reach, you try to touch it and POP! Ideas for stories can come from anywhere. With the Jenny books, I tried to imagine I was a character in one of my favorite westerns.
Hello, Actually I haven’t written enough about the brothers to see what type of personality they have yet. Mike is older so he’s kind of the strong one. Nicky is the youngest- closest to Jenny’s age. Ben is the middle brother and has more compassion for others.
The book sounds SO interesting!! I’ve been looking for a new book to read! 🙂
Thanks for doing this giveaway!
How do you finish one story and keep on track of it? I get new ideas for stories all the time and want to start that story or it takes me forever too finish a story/ get it right. The story I’m writing currently I have writers block. 😦 Any tips?
Hi Hope! Like you I begin many stories and then my enthusiasm simmers off about midway through. When that happens, there’s a simple solution. Just put that story in a file on HOLD. Go on to another story.
At some point, your original enthusiasm will come back for the story you thought you couldn’t finish. I actually manage to juggle several stories at once. When I’m tired or can’t think what will happen – I move on to something else.
Like you, I struggle with finishing and getting it right. Want to know a secret? There is no FINAL RIGHT way to write something. It’s impossible. Tell the story the best you can and then let it feel finished. I’ve gone back over stories from the past and thought, “why did I write it that way?” If you keep stressing over a certain way and thinking it will never be perfect, you’re right! Just tell the story to the best of your ability and move on. However you finish is the right way.
For writer’s block – stop writing for awhile. Go outside. Read a book. Talk to a friend. Bake something or craft something. Let the story simmer in your mind until it begs to be written again.
Character names – well – Jenny is for my niece, Jenny, although we didn’t even HAVE her when the idea for the book first came. It’s just a name I always loved.
Ambrose – or Brose came from my great-grandfather William Ambrose. It always sounded like a cool name for a boy. In fact, there are several babies that I know recently who are named Ambrose – so maybe it’s making a comeback.
Hi! Thank you for doing this giveaway!! Your books look really interesting! Did you model any of your characters (people/horses) after people (or horses) that you know ?
Hi Sara, Well, the characters are actually modeled somewhat after an old western TV show. 🙂 That’s how I got the idea. I always wanted to BE a daughter on the show (gee, doesn’t that sound familiar to Andi?) So I used my characters to make that happen.
The horses are just my creation. I was trying to find kid-friendly names for the horses. Jenny’s horse was so homely that she felt inspired to call her “Fancy” because she wasn’t. Pancho was just a cool horse name (or I thought) and it seemed very Brose-like. Hope that answers your question.
Hi Grace! Well, I do love horses but don’t have any at the moment. Maybe someday.
My favorite animal would have to be a cat – of which I have several! My first pet was a kitten named, Tabitha. I’ve always had one or two or MORE cats growing up. Now that I live in a rural area, I’m blessed to be able to make a home for probably too many cats who needed one. 🙂
Right now, I have a favorite cat named, Lucy. A barn cat named – Sandbag – he’s very lazy. And a tabby named Buddy. I would have given him a better name if I had planned to keep him. 🙂 I also have a trio – Maverick, Gideon and Simeon. Maverick is a girl, but I thought her name was cute.
Well, I guess it would depend on the reader. Brose is an 11-year-old boy, and he figures in most of the adventures. But, the story is told from Jenny’s POV so it’s mainly a “‘girl’s book.” In Book 3, I do plan to bring Jenny’s brothers into the story but again, it will be from her POV.
I’m not sure that I plan a spin off for boys. Not of this series. Sorry. 😦
Andi Carter's Blog
Thanks for the giveaway! The books look cool! 😀
What is your favorite thing about the writing process?
When do you plan on publishing the next two books in the Rancho Cameron Adventures? How did you come up with the name? 😀
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Hi Sara, Thanks for asking. My favorite part of the writing process is writing THE END. 🙂 Actually, what I love the most is brainstorming the books, playing with the characters in my mind.
The next Rancho Cameron Adventure SHOULD be available possibly by fall. It’s written but needs a lot of revision at this point.
How did I come up with the names of the books? That’s a good question but I’m not sure I remember so long has gone by. I like titles that have a kind of element suggesting adventure – Catastrophe, Fiasco, Calamity… so I played with those.
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Howdy Donna! Thanks for the great interview!
What is your favorite thing you’ve ever written?
And did you self or royalty publish?
Thanks!
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Hi Emmy, Great questions! Glad you like the interview.
To answer your last question first – I have been published by traditional publishers in the past. The Rancho Cameron books will be self-published. Other books, such as the Saddle UP – Rawhide Ranch Adventures – began with a traditional publisher but have since gone to self publishing. It’s easier and I (and my excellent editorial consultant, Susan K. Marlow) have more control over the finished product.
My favorite thing I’ve ever written? Hm, I’m not really sure I write so much! I guess I’d have to say a story I wrote when I was 12. Can’t remember the title now but it was a mystery. My friends in 7th grade read it at lunch time and passed it around the classroom. That was the most fun writing. There was no expectation of getting published, just having fun with my friends.
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Thanks!
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would you consider writing a series for older gals (15+ maybe)?
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That’s a hard question to answer. I HAVE started a book for teens – set in the late 1950’s – a mystery. Will it be a series, I don’t think so – it’s more a stand alone book.
My teenaged years weren’t really happy so I enjoy writing more for a young age. But, I’ve learned never say never. It could happen!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What has drawn you to writing the Western ranch style novels? (Westerns are my favorite genre so I love them lol)
-Makenna
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Hi Makenna! I love Westerns too and grew up watching a lot of them with my dad. In fact, our whole family loves westerns so much that most of my nephews are named either for characters from Western TV shows or movies or places in the West.
As a little girl, I thought it would be paradise to live on a big ranch with a lot of brothers (I do have one!) and all those horses. Now I live in a rural area but I am too busy sadly to keep a horse.
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Do you have any horses? I don’t, but I hope to have one when I move out of the house!
Do you have any hobbies other than writing? I could givegive you a list but that would take for ever!! I’m A Jill of all trades, but mistress of none!
Abigail Hadley.
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Hello Abigail! At the moment, I don’t have horses. But when my parents first bought our farm in the country, we did have two horses. Starfire must have been an ex-circus horse. He was terrible about letting anyone ride! His favorite thing was to run into the barn – it had a very low doorway – and topple anyone on his back. We eventually had to find him a nice home where he wasn’t too bothered with a lot of people. 😦
Then, my sister worked for a Horse Ranch (totally cool job right?) and the owner let her have a colt as partial payment. She named the horse Lady Diana Spencer (my sister was big into royalty then.) Lady lived a long happy life but is now gone. I took care of her most of the time so she was very special to me.
Other hobbies? I’m like you – too many! I do enjoy sewing, crafting, gardening, reading, embroidery, traveling and trying new things. The only thing I’m really terrible at is baking! But I have to say I’m never bored.
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What is your least favourite part of writing a story or book? I absolutely hate coming up with characters!!
Abigail Hadley.
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Hm – good question. Usually I have no problem with characters except getting them to be quiet! Most of the time a character pops into my mind and I have to write about them.
My hardest part is keeping the middle of the story interesting. I can usually think of a beginning and how it ends – but the part in the middle sometimes drags along. And I don’t outline so that can be a problem.
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It’s called “middle slump” and it’s the bane of all writers.
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Wow! The books look so cool! Thankyou for doing the giveaway!
What is your favorite part of writing books?
Also how do you get your inspiration for writing books?
-Katie
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Hi Katie, My absolute favorite part of writing a book is having a reader tell me how much they liked it!
If you mean the actual writing part, I love just playing with the story, thinking of scenes and what could happen.
Inspiration is kind of like a bubble. It floats just out of reach, you try to touch it and POP! Ideas for stories can come from anywhere. With the Jenny books, I tried to imagine I was a character in one of my favorite westerns.
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This is so interesting! Does Jenny has 3 older brothers and an older sister like in the Andi books?
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Hello! Actually Jenny does have three older brothers but no sister. They are at boarding school for boys.
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And do the older siblings have the same personalities as in the Andi books?
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Hello, Actually I haven’t written enough about the brothers to see what type of personality they have yet. Mike is older so he’s kind of the strong one. Nicky is the youngest- closest to Jenny’s age. Ben is the middle brother and has more compassion for others.
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The book sounds SO interesting!! I’ve been looking for a new book to read! 🙂
Thanks for doing this giveaway!
How do you finish one story and keep on track of it? I get new ideas for stories all the time and want to start that story or it takes me forever too finish a story/ get it right. The story I’m writing currently I have writers block. 😦 Any tips?
Thanks again!
LikeLike
Hi Hope! Like you I begin many stories and then my enthusiasm simmers off about midway through. When that happens, there’s a simple solution. Just put that story in a file on HOLD. Go on to another story.
At some point, your original enthusiasm will come back for the story you thought you couldn’t finish. I actually manage to juggle several stories at once. When I’m tired or can’t think what will happen – I move on to something else.
Like you, I struggle with finishing and getting it right. Want to know a secret? There is no FINAL RIGHT way to write something. It’s impossible. Tell the story the best you can and then let it feel finished. I’ve gone back over stories from the past and thought, “why did I write it that way?” If you keep stressing over a certain way and thinking it will never be perfect, you’re right! Just tell the story to the best of your ability and move on. However you finish is the right way.
For writer’s block – stop writing for awhile. Go outside. Read a book. Talk to a friend. Bake something or craft something. Let the story simmer in your mind until it begs to be written again.
LikeLiked by 2 people
This book sounds really good! Thanks for doing the giveaway!!
How did you come up with the names for the characters?
-Lelah
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Hi Lelah! Hope you enjoy the book!
Character names – well – Jenny is for my niece, Jenny, although we didn’t even HAVE her when the idea for the book first came. It’s just a name I always loved.
Ambrose – or Brose came from my great-grandfather William Ambrose. It always sounded like a cool name for a boy. In fact, there are several babies that I know recently who are named Ambrose – so maybe it’s making a comeback.
The adults just “came” – I picked names I like. 🙂
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Hi! Thank you for doing this giveaway!! Your books look really interesting! Did you model any of your characters (people/horses) after people (or horses) that you know ?
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Hi Sara, Well, the characters are actually modeled somewhat after an old western TV show. 🙂 That’s how I got the idea. I always wanted to BE a daughter on the show (gee, doesn’t that sound familiar to Andi?) So I used my characters to make that happen.
The horses are just my creation. I was trying to find kid-friendly names for the horses. Jenny’s horse was so homely that she felt inspired to call her “Fancy” because she wasn’t. Pancho was just a cool horse name (or I thought) and it seemed very Brose-like. Hope that answers your question.
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What is your fav animal?
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Hi Grace! Well, I do love horses but don’t have any at the moment. Maybe someday.
My favorite animal would have to be a cat – of which I have several! My first pet was a kitten named, Tabitha. I’ve always had one or two or MORE cats growing up. Now that I live in a rural area, I’m blessed to be able to make a home for probably too many cats who needed one. 🙂
Right now, I have a favorite cat named, Lucy. A barn cat named – Sandbag – he’s very lazy. And a tabby named Buddy. I would have given him a better name if I had planned to keep him. 🙂 I also have a trio – Maverick, Gideon and Simeon. Maverick is a girl, but I thought her name was cute.
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how many books will you plan to make for the series please?
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Hello, good question. At this point I have ideas for maybe 4. It could be more eventually. Jenny has lots of exciting adventures in store I’m sure.
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Is this a book that 11 year old boys will enjoy or do you plan to do a spin off for boys
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Well, I guess it would depend on the reader. Brose is an 11-year-old boy, and he figures in most of the adventures. But, the story is told from Jenny’s POV so it’s mainly a “‘girl’s book.” In Book 3, I do plan to bring Jenny’s brothers into the story but again, it will be from her POV.
I’m not sure that I plan a spin off for boys. Not of this series. Sorry. 😦
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