Friday, October 14, 2011

Birthday Bash Day Four: Anne Mateer


This is it. The last day of the Andrea's Take Blog Birthday Bash! With the last day, comes the last giveaway.  And it's a good one.  Anne Mateer's debut novel Wings of a Dream

Click here to read my review of this lovely coming of age romance...I'll wait.

And now that you're back, let's welcome Anne Mateer!

What is something about you that is little known to your readers? 
I am a sports fanatic. I love my Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, and Dallas Mavericks. I have also been that crazy parent on the sidelines while watching my kids play sports! :)

What was it that made you start writing stories? 
I've been a voracious reader since kindergarden. By late elementary, I learned the joy I received from putting words together to form stories or poems. By the time I actually started writing with an eye toward publication (in my early 30s), I actually had learned things about God and life that I wanted to convey to others. Since I love reading fiction and learn most easily through story, it became natural for my thoughts to come out in story. 

Cover ImageWhat inspired this particular story? 
Wings of a Dream was inspired by my great-grandparents' experience during WWI and the Spanish flu epidemic. I became especially inspired to write it as a novel after my grandmother passed away in January of 2000. 

What scene in Wings of a Dream stands out as your personal favorite? 
I think my personal favorite scene is the possum getting into the house and Rebekah having to deal with it. Not only is it a fun scene, I think it illustrates Rebekah's inner journey through the story. 


What has been the most pleasant surprise about getting your book published? 
The support of my family and friends. I knew they were all happy and excited for me, but they have gone above and beyond kind words. They have bought the book not only for themselves but for others, they have celebrated with and for me, and they have on their own helped spread the news to their own circles of friends and family. I have been frequently brought to tears by their words and actions of support for the book. 

What has been your biggest challenge? 
For me, the biggest challenge is in public appearances. I've done a couple of book signings and a library event, and while they all went well, it is a struggle for me to be "on" in a crowd of strangers. I'm truly an introvert. I prefer small groups. But the Lord is obviously using my weakness to display His strength! I'm grateful for the challenges and the opportunities, but I'm completely exhausted when they are over!

As a debut author, what words of wisdom do you have for those of us trying to break into the writing industry? 
Keep writing. Keep learning. Keep reading. Oh--and get used to a writing schedule of several hours a week even before the contract comes, for many publishing houses will want more than one book and usually want them a year apart. That is much harder to do if you haven't already been used to working at a steady pace each week. 

Can you tell us a little about what is coming up for you?
I have a second book coming out in September of 2012. No official title so far, but I can tell you it is about a girl who is passionate about missions and auto racing--in 1916! After that, we'll see what the Lord has planned!

Anne, I'll be keeping my eyes open for the next book. Thank you so much for sharing and for helping celebrate my "birthday." 

Readers~

You may now begin commenting to enter the drawing, or (just to get your 2 cents out there). For extra entries you may do any/all of the following

1.  Follow/Subscribe to this blog
2.  Follow Anne's blog, which you'll find here:  www.annemateer.com (I've been there, and I love it.)
3.  Like Anne on Facebook. (I did that too :)

If you choose any extra entries please leave separate comments. I'm doing the random drawing myself, and I'd hate to miss one. The giveaway closes at 11:59 pm on October 16.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
To all the entrants--This is important!

Drawing for all giveaways this week close at 11:59 pm on Sunday, October 16. I will post winners on Tuesday, October 18.

If I have email addresses for you, I will contact you. If not, you'll have to come back here to find out. If I do not hear from any winner by Sunday, October 23, I will choose a new winner.

Thanks so much for your patience with this newbie. Keep those comments coming!





24 comments:

  1. Great interview :) I loved reading about Ms. Mateer's writing journey :)

    crazi.swans at gmail dot com

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  2. I love reading about new authors and LOVE having the opportunity to read new books!!

    dcharlene63@hotmail.com

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  3. Andrea and Anne - thanks for the great interview. "Wings of a Dream" sounds great - love historical fiction. Thanks for the chance to win the book.
    Sharon Moore
    smoore@tcq.net

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  4. This book looks good and I've been wanting to read it for awhile now! It will be interesting too learning more about the influenza epidemic.

    I am a follower of this blog.

    nina4sm/at/gmail/dot/com

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  5. I've read several reviews of this book and would love to win a copy. I haven't read a book set in the time of the Spanish flu epidemic. I find it interesting that you were inspired by your great-grandparents' experiences.

    pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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  6. Great interview. The book sounds great!

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  7. Andrea - I also Liked Anne on Facebook.
    smoore@tcq.net

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  8. Wow! I get drawn away for a while, and have so much catching up to do when I get back.

    Faye~
    Thanks so much for stopping by. And I see you followed me too, so thanks for that.

    dcharlene~
    I'm with you. I get so excited about new authors and their books. It's even more exciting when I get to share the books with new friends.

    Sharon~
    You're very welcome. Anne and my other authors were wonderful to get involved on pretty short notice. Thanks for joining in.

    Sylvia~
    This could be your chance to read it. You won't be sorry. I think it's worth the wait. I did learn a little about the flu epidemic. Before this I knew there was one, and that was it ;) Thanks for following.

    Pam K.~
    Anne mentions her great-grandparents in a note at the end of the book. It's neat when authors draw from family history. I like knowing the fiction I love is inspired by a grain of truth.

    Ashley~
    It is a great book. Thanks for stopping by.

    Wishing you all luck in the drawing.

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  9. I was hoping to do one of the tours for this book but list was full. So I hope I can win a copy. Sounds like a very good read.
    I am following you on GFC and I subscribe by email.

    plb1050 at gmail dot com

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  10. Anne I am anxious to read your book. I subscribed to your blog by email.

    plb1050 at gmail dot com

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  11. Anne I liked you on facebook. Thanks for the great interview ladies and the giveaway.

    Blessings to You and Yours,
    Patricia aka Mamaw

    plb1050 at gmail dot com

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  12. Love your blog!!! I would be so blessed and honored to read ann's book!! Thank you for allowing all of us to join your blog yours is one I will follow

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  13. Hey y'all! Sorry I've been out of pocket a bit. Thank you so much for your interest in Wings of a Dream! And bless those of you who clicked over and liked my facebook page and/or subscribed to my blog! :)

    It's so fun to connect with readers, so even if you don't win I hope to see you out here in cyberspace sometime!

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  14. Hi Anne,

    It was so nice to meet you at the big Gala in St. Louis. I love your book cover and the story premise. Sounds wonderful.

    I can sure relate to the angst of an introvert having to promote a book. I must say you're doing a great job!

    Cheers,
    Sue Mason
    sbmason at sympatico dot ca

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  15. Paricia~ You certainly know how to enter a drawing! You're in. Thanks for subscribing. I hope you enjoy what you read here. Anne's book was very good. Good luck in the drawing.

    jewels67~ Thanks for your kind words about my blog. I hope to see you here some time. So glad you entered to win Anne's book. I think you'll enjoy it if you win it.

    Anne~ Thanks so, so much for stopping by. I've been part of online writers' communities for about a year, and I'm always a little star-struck when I get to visit with a writer.

    Susan~ Thanks for stopping by here and visiting with us.

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  16. Great Interview, I liked reading about her writing journey and a little bit about the books that sounds really good.

    Jen.whitney08[at]gmail[dot]com

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  17. I became a follower of your blog.

    jen.whitney08[at]gmail[dot]com

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  18. I am a follower of Anne's blog now too, which is really good!

    jen.whitney08[at]gmail[dot]com

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  19. and finally just liked Anne on facebook. thanks for this chance to win a book

    jen.whitney08[at]gmail[dot]com

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  20. Ok I know it is almost to late to comment and get an entry, but I am here now. Andrea I am so super proud of you and I thank God that he has shown you your calling. I hope seeing how many people follow helps boost the confidence this sister knows you have. God has done wonderful things in your life and I am so happy to be your big sister and get to be a part of the many more things he will provide for you. Oh yeah, and I signed up to follow your blog. (I did it Thursday) 1 entry here. I'll help you keep count

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  21. I became a follower of Anne's blog (entry number 2)

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  22. I liked Anne on Facebook (entry number 3)

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  23. I don't need to be entered in to the contest, because I already have the book! But I wanted to say that Anne's book is one the THE BEST books I have read lately. If you don't win it go buy it anyway!

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  24. Jen~

    You've been busy with entering giveaways and following blogs. I hope you got some rest last night. ;) You're in.

    Salena~

    I agree completely; it's a wonderful book. I'm glad you stopped by, and just because you wanted to. Wow! I'm honored, and I feel sure Anne will appreciate the lovely shout out as well.

    And Tiffany~

    Well, let me say, I'm glad this is a virtual room and not a real one because then every one would see me getting all misty eyed. Folks, I tear up pretty easily, but nothing gets me going quite so much as when my big sister starts saying nice things about me. And in public too. She really is the greatest big sister a girl could ever ask for. You're in, Sis.

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