Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Author Interview & Giveaway - Mindy Starns Clark - Part 2


Today, we'll continue our interview with Mindy Starns Clark, co-author of The Amish Midwife and The Amish Nanny. Unfortunately, Leslie Gould, her co-author, was unable to participate at this time. Hopefully, we'll have her on the blog in the future.

Don't forget the giveaway! Mindy has generously agreed to provide not one, but two books for this drawing. See details at the end of the interview.

4) You and Leslie live on opposite sides of the country. How do you handle that dynamic? Have you ever met in person for a writing session?

I would give anything to have Leslie right next door! Being so far apart is very difficult, even in this digital age.

She and I have only gotten together in person twice, once when she came out here and once when I went out there. Mostly, we use email, though when we're down to final edits, we can also be found texting, calling, scanning and sending, faxing, or whatever else it takes. It would be a lot easier if we lived closer, but we manage to make it work.

5) Do you have something to share about your writing life, but nobody has asked that particular question? Feel free to express yourself here. :)

Actually, I'll share a little story about my co-author. :) Last winter, when she and I were working hard to wrap up The Amish Nanny and meet our deadline, poor Leslie was also having to deal with the fact that her husband, who's in the Army Reserves, had been called up for active duty to Afghanistan! I think the book was due the day before he was to leave the country. It was awful for her, but she was a trooper to the end and somehow managed to pull it off.

He's been gone a year, but would you believe it, he returned from Afghanistan the exact day before our next book, The Amish Bride, was due! Again, poor Leslie was having to finish up a novel in the midst of all of that. Even once he arrived, she had to find internet there on the base and continue to shoot files back and forth with me to get the book done and in on time the next morning. Which we did, I'm proud to say.

I've known lots of "poor author" stories about books finished while on the way to a funeral or while lying in a hospital bed, etc., but I think Leslie's situation ranks right up there. I have always had great respect for her, but after this, I've decided she's like a writing superhero.

Thanks, Mindy, for an awesome interview and giveaway. Okay, folks, we've got a deadline looming here at Christian Writer/Reader Connection: Saturday, March 10, 2012, at midnight.

1) The contest is open to both current and new Followers of Christian Writer/Reader Connection. To be eligible, you must be a resident of the United States.

2)  Four (4) chances to win! Comment on each interview post, mention the giveaway with a link on your blog, and/or Facebook. Please make a note in your blog comments if you've linked via your blog or Facebook.

3)  Leave your email address in the comment section. Sorry, no email = no entry.

4)  The winner will be notified via email on Sunday, March 11, 2012, and a notice will be posted on the blog that day. I'll provide Mindy with your snail mail address, and she will mail out a book to each winner.

Disclaimer: I did not receive any remuneration for this interview.

Writers & Readers: What was your favorite part of this interview? What nugget did you take away?



10 comments:

Jessica Nelson said...

Oh my goodness, what a challenge for Leslie! Wow.
I can't imagine trying to write with another author...it would definitely take a lot of collaboration and work, but I bet it has its fun stuff too. :-)

Marja Verschoor-Meijers said...

Thanks again Susan, great job! And what a challenge to finish a book under such circumstances, wow. Perseverance indeed!

Terri Tiffany said...

I like knowing that it worked so well for them. They overcame challenges that many of us couldn't!

Karen Lange said...

Great interview ladies! I liked seeing how well a collaborative effort works out. :) Kudos to both Cindy and Leslie. I agree, Leslie is a writing superhero.

Thanks and blessings,
Karen
klange61AThotmailDOTcom

Jeanette Levellie said...

Wow, I say she gets a huge trophy--both of you do!!

My favorite part here was the story of Leslie finishing books when her hus. left and came home. What a challenge!

Jeanette Levellie said...

Oops, forgot my email: jeanettelevellieatgmaildotcom

Thanks!

Loree Huebner said...

Great interview, Susan and Mindy!

Your co writer, Leslie, surely had her hands full.

Congrats on your success!

Loree dot Huebner at yahoo dot com

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Jess - Yes, I can't imagine the pressure she must have experienced.

Hi Marja - Thanks. Someone should do an anthology of authors meeting deadlines. :)

Hi Terri - I'm sure the difficulties they've been through have strengthened both their personal and professional relationships.

Hi Karen - It's an inspiring story, especially for us. :)

Hi Jen - It makes all our excuses sound lame, that's for sure!

Hi Loree - I have a new appreciation for their book since I heard their story.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Diane said...

Great interview and a collaboration is difficult but not impossible. Congrats to both of you! :O)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Diane -

I was surprised that Mindy is collaborating with more than one author. Talk about juggling!

Blessings,
Susan :)