Q&A with August LIH authors!

[Wendy]

Sherri wrote: "I had a great time writing this book! I realized since I had a character with seven older brothers, I should saddle him with a bunch of girls. I had a great time thinking of new and inventive ways ..."

Like!

Hi Sherri ~ Where did the idea for this story come from?

[Sherri]

There are some subtle differences in dealing with an all-female crew vs. a male crew!

[Wendy]

Hi Lacy ~ sorry I missed you yesterday.

I loved . I need to read the books about the children ~ they sound great.

Favourite cowboy film ~ Sunset Serenade starring Roy Rogers. Love that singing cowboy, and enjoy most of his films.

[Sherri]

Keli wrote: "Sherri, Does your knowledge of them come from firsthand experience, interviewing cattle ranchers or a lot of..."

Hi Keli! I was an avid horseback rider as a kid/young adult. (Not so much these days! (Although I definitely miss riding.) As for the cattle research, I read, contact people, and watch a lot of movies.

This book was inspired by John Wayne's movie, The Cowboys. Great film! My brother and I watched that movie a million times because my dad loved John Wayne. And, back in the olden days, there was only one tv in the house and dad usually controlled the channel.

[Valri]

Sherri, you know I adore this book! I loved helping you with it! Your characters are fantastic and fun! I know everyone will enjoy reading the book!

[Sherri]

Valri wrote: "Sherri, you know I adore this book! I loved helping you with it! Your characters are fantastic and fun! I know everyone will enjoy reading the book!"

Thank you again for your help, Valri!

[Jenn]

I so have to read this book, this sounds like so much fun!

[Sherri]

Wendy wrote: "Sherri wrote: "I had a great time writing this book! I realized since I had a character with seven older brothers, I should saddle him with a bunch of girls. I had a great time thinking of new and ..."

I answered this with the wrong question - sorry! I loved the movie 'The Cowboys' with John Wayne. All the men have left town because of a gold rush, and John Wayne doesn't have a crew to take his cattle to market. He hires the local boys. I figured girls would be a lot more fun than boys! I made the herd a lot smaller and the distance quite a bit shorter to make the story work.

[Sherri]

Jenn wrote: "I so have to read this book, this sounds like so much fun!"

Another favorite part of this book was recalling all the games we played as kids. Does anyone else remember 'Say, say oh playmate?'

[Brittany]

Sherri, your book sounds like a lot of fun. It sounds like the heroine will be a very strong character with definite ideas about how she should proceed with her future. My question is: How long (start to finish) does it usually take you to write a story? And another question: Do you have a favorite writing spot?

[June]

Sherri, it sounds like the type of book that will keep me entertained as well as keep my children asking why I am laughing. I always laugh when the hero gets tortured ;) Can't wait to read it.

What do you like to do when seeking inspiration on a story? (besides collecting mismatched socks, which is actually the style they wear these days!)

[Sherri]

My question is: How long (st..."

It takes me about four to six months to write a book. I usually have at least three projects going on at once. There's the new book I'm working on, the book I'm finished with that's in the editing process, and the newest book that's releasing that I'm promoting. (Sometimes, I get names mixed up during all that!

For example, right now I'm promoting The Cattleman Meets His Match, I just finished editing The Engagement Bargain, and I'm working on the proposal for Courting the Real McCoy.

As for where i like to write, I have a chaise lounge where I love to sit and write. I can see my desk in the distance, and I often feel like I should be closed up in my office, but I prefer sitting comfortably by the window :)

[Katie]

Answer to previous question, I must agree with Sarah about the favorite cowboy book, its hard for me to narrow it down but I have to say Karen Kirst's book (The Reluctant Outlaw) or Karen Witemeyer's Head in the Clouds or Short-Straw Bride. :)
Sherri, your new book looks awesome and I can't wait to read it! It looks really interesting, I do love books when the heroine goes on a cattle drives and such. How long did it take you to write this book? :)

[Paula-O]

Hi Sherri, good to see you with the group today. I enjoy this type of story and have read one before that was females moving cattle to mkt. different yes but some women are strong and determined.
Would you say you are this type of woman and that may be part of why you wrote the story??
have read couple of your books but I find too many good authors and stories and not enough time to get to all of them. will be looking for yours though.

[Cheryl]

I love this story--the premise and the execution. You did a fabulous job with all the characters. I got a kick out of all the girly touches on the cattle drive - like the hankie tablecloth on the back of the chuck wagon. lol

[Karen]

Katie wrote: "Answer to previous question, I must agree with Sarah about the favorite cowboy book, its hard for me to narrow it down but I have to say Karen Kirst's book (The Reluctant Outlaw) or Karen Witemeyer..."

You made my day, Katie! Thank you :D

[Sherri]

Would you say you are the type of woman and that may be a part of why you wrote the story?

No! I'm the exact opposite. My idea of 'roughin' it' is going to a hotel without room service :)

[Sherri]

Katie wrote: "How long did it take you to write this books?"

It's funny, I don't talk about my favorite books because I know most of the authors! (Although I do have favorites :)

My editor asked for a book in March of 2013, and I delivered the book in August of that year. So I guess about six months for this one!

[Sherri]

Cheryl wrote: "I love this story--the premise and the execution. You did a fabulous job with all the characters. I got a kick out of all the girly touches on the cattle drive - like the hankie tablecloth on the b..."

Ah, thank you, Cheryl. I had a lot of fun with John having to reconfigure his 'motivational speeches'!!

[Sherri]

I love the comments!

So, if you lived in the Old West, would you rather be an outlaw or a lawman?

While I might say 'lawman', I have a feeling I'd have had leaned toward outlaw....

[Britney]

Hi Sherri! Sorry to be stopping by so late today. The Cattleman Meets His Match sounds like a great story! What is your favorite part of the writing process?

[Sherri]

Britney wrote: "Hi Sherri! Sorry to be stopping by so late today. The Cattleman Meets His Match sounds like a great story! What is your favorite part of the writing process?"

There's usually a moment toward the end of the book when I feel like everything is falling apart and the plot is dumb, and the characters are all wrong, and I'm convinced I've written the worst book ever...Then, there's a magical moment - like making meringue, when everything just forms together and you realize, "I did it!! I wrote a book!!" That's my favorite part of writing :)

[Brittany]

Sherri wrote: " My question is: How long (st..."

It takes me about four to six months to write a book. I usually have at least three projects going on at once. There's the new book I'm working on, the book I'm f..."
Yes, I can imagine that would be quite a few characters to juggle at once!

[Ausjenny]

wow your book and Lacy's have a similar thread. this book sounds so much fun what did you learn when researching this book. Did many trail herds have women? will there be more in the series.

[Britney]

Sherri wrote: "Then, there's a magical moment - like making meringue, when everything just forms together and you realize, "I did it!! I wrote a book!!" That's my favorite part of writing :)"


Love it! What a fantastic feeling! :)

[Karen]

Thanks to everyone who joined in the conversation with Lacy and Sherri! Dorothy Clark will be announcing the winners. See you all in September :)

[Laura AKA Loves 2 Read Romance]

I am late to the discussion but I love the sound of both these books!! Thanks for sharing with us!!

[Melody]

I am late too. Fun catching up on what everyone said anyway!

[Paula-O]

I enjoy going back and seeing all the questions and then the answers, couple of good authors and books we will get to read, thanks ladies.

[Sherri]

Ausjenny wrote: "wow your book and Lacy's have a similar thread. this book sounds so much fun what did you learn when researching this book. Did many trail herds have women? will there be more in the series."

Women were rare on trail rides! I may have taken some liberties with fiction writing :) There will definitely be more books in the Prairie Courtship series. I have one that's finished and another I'm working on.

[Dorothy]

ATTENTION: Hi all. I'm sorry to be late posting notice of this months's book winners. I got smacked with another, unexpected deadline. Here are the...

WINNERS!

Penny

Jenn

Congratulations, ladies! I will be sending you notice of your winning one of this month's books via your Goodreads inbox. Please respond with your full name and mailing address, so I can pass the information on to the appropriate author.

Until next month...
Dorothy Clark

[Paula-O]

Congrats to Penny and Jenn, Happy reading.

[Brittany]

Congrats to Penny & Jenn!
Lacy & Sherri, it was fun chatting with you!

[Valri]

Congrats, Ladies! Enjoy your books! Both fantastic authors and I know you'll enjoy the reads!

[Jenn]

Wow! That's so cool!! Thanks:)!

[Wendy]

Congratulations Penny & Jenn!

[Britney]

Thank you for another great chat! Congratulations to the winners!

[Laura AKA Loves 2 Read Romance]

Congrats to all the winners!!

Any idea when the September Q & A will be? I know they typically start on the first Monday of the month but for September that would be Labor day. So will it be the 1st - 5th or the 8th - 12th??

[Karen]

Laura AKA Loves 2 Read Romance wrote: "Congrats to all the winners!!

Any idea when the September Q & A will be? I know they typically start on the first Monday of the month but for September that would be Labor day. So will it be the ..."

Let me check with the Q&A host for next month and get back to you.

[Karen]

Unless something changes, the September Q&A will be held the first week beginning Tuesday 2nd. We'll post an announcement when it gets closer.

[Lyn]

Sherri wrote: "Wendy wrote: "Sherri wrote: "I had a great time writing this book! I realized since I had a character with seven older brothers, I should saddle him with a bunch of girls. I had a great time thinki..."
Have any of you seen the old (really old) John Wayne film--THE ANGEL AND THE BADMAN?? One of my all time favorites!

[Ausjenny]

I have that movie Lyn.