Hasn’t this been fun? I was already in the mood for Christmas, and now, I’m trying to figure out which beach to visit for the holidays.
Today, my friend and mentor Shannon Vannatter concludes our interviews about Candy Cane Wishes and Saltwater Dreams with her Christmas preferences and a behind the scenes look at her story, Coastal Christmas Charade.
Jenny: “Hi Shannon. Thanks for coming by today. Have you ever spent Christmas on the beach? If not, what was the most unusual Christmas you can remember?”
Shannon: “I’ve only been to the beach twice and both times were in the heat of the summer. I would like to go in the fall when it’s not so hot. My most unusual Christmas was when I was a kid. Maybe 4 or 5. My dad worked in drywall, so we’d followed the housing boom to Chicago. We visited my grandparents on both sides the week before Christmas and headed home for the actual day. But on the way, a snowstorm came and we had to stay in a motel for a few days. I was so worried Santa wouldn’t know where I was. But my parents had planned ahead and all my presents were in the trunk, so it all turned out ok.”
Jenny: “That sounds like it would make a great Christmas story, or even a movie. What about the story you wrote for this collection? Since it’s a novella was it difficult to keep your story short? Would you like to write about these characters again?”
Shannon: “It wasn’t difficult for me. I’m used to writing short. My first several books were published by Heartsong Presents with a 45,000 word count. My recent books were published by Love Inspired with a word count of 55,000 words. It’s easy for me to focus solely on my hero and heroine and not get into side stories too much. As a result, it’s easy for me to write short, but harder for me to write long and add side stories.”
Jenny: “I’ve loved all of your stories. I am sure you could write longer just as well. So, let’s talk holiday traditions. What dessert do you look forward to most this holiday season?”
Shannon: “Blueberry pie. My mom makes one just for me. And nobody else likes it, so I get the whole pie to myself. Yum. I’m not much on berries. But I love blueberries.”
Jenny: “Moms are the greatest, aren’t they? That pie sounds wonderful. What about music? What is your favorite Christmas Carol?
Shannon: “Oh Night Divine. I love the line: Fall on your knees. Gets me teary every time.”
Jenny: “I know authors really get into their stories. Did writing about the beach make you want to go there? Any new travel plans on the horizon?
Shannon: “Yes. I planned to visit my setting, Surfside Beach, TX before I wrote the novella. But life got in the way. Since I didn’t get to go, I want to even more now. We’re planning on going next Spring. We have family in the San Antonio area and it’s been a few years since we’ve seen them, so we have double reason to make the trip.”
Jenny: “Thanks for stopping by, Shannon. I always enjoy visiting with you. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!”
Award winning author, Shannon Taylor Vannatter writes contemporary Christian cowboy romance and has over a dozen published titles. A romance reader since her teens, she hopes to entertain Christian women and plant seeds in the non-believer’s heart as she demonstrates that love doesn’t conquer all—Jesus does.
She gleans fodder for her fiction in rural Arkansas where she spent her teenage summers working the concession stand with her rodeo announcing dad and married a Texan who morphed into a pastor. Shannon is Scrivenings Press Acquisitions/Content Editor. In her spare time, she loves hanging out with her husband and son, flea marketing, and doing craft projects.
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Coastal Christmas Charade: Lark Pendleton is banking on a high-society wedding to make her grandparent’s inn at Surfside Beach, Texas the venue to attract buyers. Tasked with sprucing up the inn, she hires Jace Wilder, whose heart she once broke. When the bride and groom turn out to be Lark’s high school nemesis and ex-boyfriend, she and Jace embark on a pretend romance to save the wedding. But when real feelings emerge, can they overcome past hurts?
I hope you enjoyed learning about five of my friends who have written some great stories that take place at my favorite time of year in some really dreamy locations. Now, head to Amazon and pick out your copy of Candy Cane Wishes and Saltwater Dreams. And here’s your final chance to win a special gift from my Christmas tree to yours. Just tell us below what you are looking forward to this Christmas. And come back next time for more insights into the life of an author of Christian Fiction.
Thanks for spotlighting the novella this week, Jenny. I enjoyed doing the interview.
Thanks for hosting us this week, Jenny. It’s been fun. I can’t wait to host you on my blog when your book comes out.