Birthday Bash Day One: Penny Zeller

Hello, Wonderful Readers! This morning I'm kicking off the Blog Birthday Bash with our first interview and giveaway.

Please welcome Penny Zeller, author of Hailee.

Click here to see my review.

Hello Andrea, thank you so much for having me as a guest on your blog. It’s great to be here!

What is something about you that is little known to your readers? 

Hmmm. Let’s see…I met my husband through a prank phone call I made when we were both teenagers. J I wrote a humorous post about it here:

http://pennyzeller.wordpress.com/2011/02/02/do-you-have-any-grey-poupon-and-phone-pranks-part-2/

Take a minute to click the link and read this story. You won't be sorry you did.


What was it that made you start writing stories? 

I have had a love for writing since I was in second grade and rewrote Bible stories in my own little second grade commentary.J Throughout my school years, I would write stories and “publish” them in homemade cardboard books. In high school, I wrote stories where my friends were the main characters.

Fast forward several years to November of 2000 when I surrendered my writing to the Lord. I quit my fulltime job with a social services governmental agency so I could stay home with my infant daughter. That was the start of my career, beginning with writing magazine articles. Writing is my ministry and my passion and I pray I will glorify Him with each word I write.

What inspired this particular story? 

I knew beforehand that I would be writing a third book in this series. Hailee Annigan’s character was inspired by a piece of mail I received regarding orphanages. I knew I wanted to write a story about a girl placed in an orphanage and how she came to find herself in that predicament.

I introduced my main male character, Nate Adams, in the second novel in my series, Kaydie, and was excited to expound on his character and follow his struggles in answering God’s calling on his life.

What scene in Hailee stands out as your personal favorite? 

I have several favorite scenes, so it’s difficult to choose. One that comes to mind is the humorous scene when Hailee first arrives in Pine Haven. She’s looking for Reverend Nate Adams, whom she presumes is an elderly grandfatherly sort of man “graying and crouched over-with a soft-spoken wife and several grown children.”

After stepping off the train, Hailee attempts to locate Reverend Adams when she trips and falls, literally, into a man’s arms. Chastising herself for being so clumsy, Hailee notices that the man who caught her is “extremely handsome, with sandy hair, striking blue eyes, and a gentle smile” who teasingly tells her it’s his job to “prevent the pretty female passengers from tripping and falling.”

Hailee proceeds to ask the man if he could help her find Reverend Adams. That’s when he introduces himself to her as one and the same. It’s quite a humorous scene because Nate has his own preconceived notions of what Hailee would look like – an elderly spinster with thick spectacles and a tweed dress. It’s such a delightful way for Hailee and Nate to be introduced for the first time to each other!

I thought you set the stage well with those preconceived notions. I was actually eager to see their reactions to one another. It was a great scene. 

Among your body of work, what would you recommend to readers as your favorite novel or your best work? 

Wow! This is a great question! I honestly can’t say I have a favorite book I’ve written. My Montana Skies Series (McKenzie, Kaydie & Hailee) is very close to my heart as the Lord gave the series idea to me while I was going through a difficult time recovering from a car accident.

As a multi-published author, what words of wisdom do you have for those of us trying to break into the writing industry? 

When I chat with an unpublished writer, I ask what he/she envisions themselves doing for God’s Kingdom and how can I pray and encourage him/her in that pursuit. One of the most important things to remember in being a writer is that if God has called you to write, He will guide you, one step at a time.

God calls us all to do different things for His Kingdom. If He has called you to write, seek His guidance. Never give up, even when you feel like it or when someone has unkindly criticized you. Seek to please and honor Him in whatever you write, whether it is for the secular or the inspirational market; whether it be fiction, nonfiction, poetry, song lyrics, or a screenplay. Find a mentor and be open to ideas and suggestions from one who’s “been there, done that.” Join forces with other Christian writers. After all, we are all working for the same Boss.

I give more tips for writers, including sticking with writing and how to prepare for a writer’s conference here: http://pennyzeller.wordpress.com/sticking-with-writing/

Do you have a book trailer for Hailee? 

Yes, I do. J And I love the music the producer chose for my Hailee book trailer! It can be seen here: http://youtu.be/LEGoM43jtwA

Where can readers find you on the web? 

I love to connect with my readers at -

www.pennyzeller.com (website)

www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com (blog)

www.facebook.com/pennyzellerbooks (Facebook) where I include “Just-for-fun Friday chats and much more!

http://twitter.com/pennyzeller (Twitter)

Thank you again, Andrea, for having me as your guest. Thank you also for all you have done to help me promote Hailee. I appreciate you!

Thank you so much, Penny, for joining Andrea's Take for our Birthday Bash! It's been wonderful having you.

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Penny is such a sweet lady.  She has agreed to provide a bookplate, personalized to whomever wins this giveaway.

Thanks so much, Penny!

Readers~

Leave a comment in the comment section to be entered in the drawing. You can get up to two extra entries by doing the following:

Follow my Blog

     and/or

Like Penny's Facebook page (the link is above).

If you choose the extra entries please leave a separate comment for each entry. The giveaway closes at 11:59 pm on October 16.