Interview with Author Dorothy Wiley

Best Selling Author Dorothy Wiley

Is visiting with us today. I am kind of geeked because I just got done reading all three of her Wilderness books and I abosuletley loved them. The characters came to life for me and hearing about their trials and tribulations life back in 1800's. These books are exceptionally well written and very entertaining. They will have you crying, laughing and chearing on the hero and heroines. Each book is different yet ties together in a beautiful family way.

Here is Dorothy!

What state do you live in: Texas

A Little about yourself:

I grew up in southern California and found my own romantic hero in Austin, Texas, where I received a Bachelor of Journalism degree, with honors, from The University of Texas. After a 35-year corporate career in marketing and public relations, I am living my dream—writing historical romances—and residing in central Texas with my husband (the same wonderful guy) on our beautiful cattle ranch. Yes, dreams really can come true!

1. & 2. Is being an Author what you thought you would do with your life?

What made you decide to be an Author?

At the University of Texas, I majored in Journalism. After graduating, I worked in marketing/public relations for corporations in Houston and writing was a big part of all my jobs. I primarily wrote annual reports, speeches, news releases, magazine articles, etc. But I always wanted to try writing a novel. Eventually, I just had to try. I had characters in my head who needed their story told. At the time, I was a VP for a major corporation and could only find time to write for a few minutes or hours here and there and it was hard to make significant progress. But I did get my characters and setting fully developed. Almost two years ago, I decided to retire early so that I could begin writing novels full-time. That opportunity has been a real God given blessing and I have loved every minute of it, especially that minute in July of 2014 when I opened the box that held my first book’s proof copy. That’s when I really felt like a writer! What a thrill.

3. What would you tell any new authors that are breaking into the business?

Most importantly, don’t rush your first novel to print. It will forever represent you, so make sure it’s your best work. Like top athletes, writers must continually train. With each draft, you build more stamina. With each edit, you increase muscle and get rid of fat. With each skill you practice, such as showing not telling, you add beauty and style. Be sure you ruthlessly proof for errors and format the manuscript professionally. And dress for success—invest in a quality book cover designer to produce your cover. Learning how to produce quality manuscripts is not easy or quick. To really shine, a book requires many drafts and countless edits. After writing for more than 30 years, I still have a lot to learn and believe that each of my novels will be better than the last because I am continually learning to become a better writer.

Second, I would tell new authors to be willing to work long and hard or don’t even start. There is nothing about publishing novels that’s easy. Writing is the easiest part for me and, as I’ve said, that takes a tremendous amount of effort. And, unless you are very computer savvy, publishing is complicated and time consuming. But marketing is even harder. I work very long hours, full-time, and still never have enough time to do all the marketing things I would like to. I say all that not to discourage you, but to tell you the honest truth. But in your heart, if you have a great story to tell, by all means tell it. Just be aware that writing it just the beginning.

4. What is the strangest thing you have written about?

The strangest thing for me is how my characters take over. My primary approach to writing is to allow the characters to drive the story. I believe a writer must really get to know their characters. I would like to be a plotter, but I confess to being a pantser. For those of you who are new to writing, pantser means writing from the seat of your pants rather than following a detailed plot outlined in advance of writing the book. For me, it means plots driven by the characters. I spent a lot of time initially conceiving the characters and describing them to myself, both physical characteristics and personalities. Then, in my head, I put them in a room or situation and just follow their lead. Strangely, they always seem to know what to do or say. I guess that’s my subconscious driving them forward, but it seems to work for me. I often receive compliments on my characters such as this one from a reviewer on Amazon, “The author's well-sculpted cast of characters, not only come alive, but you actually begin to really care about them and want them to succeed in their journey west. Her evil characters are truly scary and her good characters are painted gloriously.”

5. What is the hardest part of being an author?

The competition. Amazon has opened the publishing world up to tens of thousands of aspiring authors who otherwise would never have been published. That’s the good news. The bad news is that the competition has skyrocketed.

6. Do you love what you do?

Absolutely! Writing is exhilarating for me. Publishing is even more thrilling. And winning contests and getting 5-star reviews is very rewarding and encouraging. I love to hear from readers too.

7. Do you have a family?

Yes, my husband of 38 years and I have two children and two grandchildren. I love them all dearly.

8. What was your first published work?

WILDERNESS TRAIL OF LOVE published August 2014.

9. What are you currently working on? Can you share any of it with us?

I am working on the fourth novel in my American Wilderness Series Romances. I am a little more than a third of the way through writing it. Each book in the series is the story of one brother and this book is about Bear.

10. New release book cover?

I have not yet had the fourth book cover designed, but I’ll be doing that soon. Here are the other three:

11. Have you ever wanted to quit writing? If so why?      Never!

12. What genres do you write? Historical romance. I love history and I love romance, so it’s the perfect genre for me.

13. Anything else you would like to share?

My American Wilderness Series Romances, WILDERNESS TRAIL OF LOVE (Book One) NEW FRONTIER OF LOVE (Book Two), and WHISPERING HILLS OF LOVE (Book Three), are set in 1797 colonial America. My husband’s ancestors, who really did journey from the New England area to Kentucky in the late 18th century, inspired this series. I wanted to honor these and other first wave settlers of early America by writing these books. The arduous journeys, brave battles, and daily sacrifices of these first-wave pioneers should not be forgotten. Although the books are only inspired by America’s ancestors and are not based on actual people, I’ve attempted to balance the hardships of the frontier with amusing, romantic, and vividly compelling characters that I hope will be very memorable.

14. Give us some unusual fun facts about you.

I am half Scots (father) and half Italian (mother). My father was an artist—I think that’s where my creativity comes from. I love music—especially rock & roll, 60’s, Motown, and some more contemporary artists. Love Matchbox Twenty’s Overjoyed, Bon Jovi’s You Want to Make a Memory, and anything by Rod Stewart, but especially one of his newer songs, You Can’t Stop Me Now. That song is my writing anthem and inspiration. Listen to the words and you’ll see why. My favorite thing to do is to sit out on our terrace, enjoy our great view of the ranch, and listen to music with my husband while enjoying an adult beverage—usually a Manhattan. One’s my limit. I also love wine and cooking—which works out well since we live about an hour from any great restaurants.

15. Share with us your links. (Facebook, Tumbler, Twitter, Instagram, Etc)

Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/dorothywiley

Facebook: Dorothy M. Wiley https://www.facebook.com/DoraMayWiley

Twitter: @WileyDorothy https://twitter.com/WileyDorothy

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/dorothymwiley/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8441725.Dorothy_Wiley

WILDERNESS TRAIL OF LOVE

• Historical Novel Society (HNS) Editor’s Choice and long listed for the prestigious

2015 HNS Indie Award.

• Readers’ Favorite Five-Star Award 2015

• Finalist in the CFRWA Touch of Magic Contest 2014

      NEW FRONTIER OF LOVE

• Amazon's Breakthrough Novel Award (ABNA) Quarter-Finalist 2014

                WHISPERING HILLS OF LOVE

• BookBzz.com Prize Writer Finalist – Romance 2015

READER AND REVIEWER COMMENTS:

• "This work has that memorable feel I associate with big historicals  (i.e. Lonesome Dove)."

           "A deft new writer of intelligent romantic fiction."
          "A must read. One of the best books I've ever read."
         “Fresh, unblinkingly gritty, & highly readable, her romance novel reads like a classic American adventure story.
        "Nothing mindlessly emotional here"
        "Skillful, entertaining and sparkly.”

Wiley received a Bachelor of Journalism, with honors, from The University of Texas in Austin. After a distinguished 35-year corporate career in marketing and public relations, she is living her dream—writing historical romances.

CONTACT Dorothy through her website www.dorothywiley.com

CONNECT with Dorothy on:

Facebook at Dorothy M. Wiley

Twitter @WileyDorothy

Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/dorothymwiley/

WWW.DOROTHYWILEY.COM

What is Real and What is Illusion?

Third dimensional time ~ as we know it ~ is an illusion, but Divine Timing is real ~ we only need to tune in and touch base with our higher aspects to know planetary transformation is NOW....we are moving into completion as our planet aligns itself with the galactic center.

Will it be the center of the earth, the center of our being or the center of the ocean? One must ponder and trust in the alignment to show us.

Historical Kentucky, My birthplace.

Many of you don't know this but I was born in Louisville, Kentucky in 1963. I wanted to share the history and culture of the place I call home. I currently live in Michigan. But am planning on moving back to my birthplace soon. I hope you enjoy this little bit of history.

History of Kentucky

Modern archaeologists classify Kentucky's prehistoric past into six cultures that spanned 13,000 BC to 1,650 AD. These cultures were the Paleo-Indian culture, the Archaic culture, the Woodland culture, the Adena culture, the Mississippian culture and the Fort Ancient culture. From about 1650 until the arrival of the first white settlers, Native American battles broke out over control of the "Great Meadow" between the Shawnee tribes from north of the Ohio River and the Cherokee and Chickasaw tribes from south of the Cumberland River. During this time, no Indian nation held possession of the land that would eventually become Kentucky.
Dr. Thomas Walker and Christopher Gist led the first surveying parties into Kentucky in 1750 and 1751, respectively, but the outbreak of British and Native American battles in the French and Indian War in 1754 delayed further exploration of the state for over a decade. Daniel Boone visited Kentucky in 1767. In 1769, with a party of hunters led by John Finley, he returned to Kentucky for a two-year exploration of the region. In 1774, James Harrod constructed the first permanent settlement in Kentucky at Fort Harrod, the site of present-day Harrodsburg. Boonesboro was established in 1775, and many other settlements were created soon after.
One of the last Native American battles in Kentucky occurred at the Battle of Blue Licks in 1782 (where Blue Licks State Park stands today), although small skirmishes and raids would continue until 1813. Kentucky was originally declared to be a part of Virginia and was made a separate county of that state in 1776. Soon after the end of the American Revolution, a separation movement began in Kentucky. In 1792, after nine conventions to discuss the separation, Kentucky was made a separate state and was admitted to the Union as the fifteenth state. Isaac Shelby was chosen as the first governor. Kentucky's first constitution was drafted in April and May of that year (the constitution was rewritten in 1800, and again in 1850 and 1891), and Frankfort was chosen to be the Kentucky capital city. In 1818, the westernmost region of the state was annexed, following its purchase from the Chickasaw Indians.
When the Civil War erupted in 1861, Kentucky was torn apart by conflicting loyalties. Officially a neutral state, brother often fought against brother as Kentucky supplied approximately 100,000 troops to the North and 40,000 troops to the South. Ironically, Kentucky was the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln and the Confederate president Jefferson Davis. The two great men were born in log cabins within one year and 100 miles of each other. Kentucky's strategic potential was recognized by both sides in the conflict, and several bloody engagements and many guerrilla raids occurred throughout the state. The most violent battle took place near Perryville in 1862, with a toll of 1,600 dead and 5,400 wounded.
After the Civil war, Kentucky's economy underwent dramatic changes. As the hemp industry declined, the development of burley tobacco contributed to a tremendous increase in tobacco production.
The U.S. Treasury Gold Vault was established at Fort Knox in 1936. During World War II, Kentucky began to shift from an agricultural to an industrial economy, but it was not until 1970 that the state had more urban than rural dwellers. Tourism developed into a major industry, aided by an impressive state park system and new highways across the state.

Additional Reading

Learn more about Native American battles, the Civil War, economic changes and more Kentucky History with these books:

• "Kentucky: A Bicentennial History" by Steven A. Channing;
• "A History of Kentucky" by Thomas D. Clark;
• "History of Kentucky" by Richard H. Collins;
• "The Kentucky Encyclopedia" edited by John E. Kleber;
• "Our Kentucky, A Study of the Bluegrass State" edited by James C. Klotter;
• "A New History of Kentucky" by Lowell H. Harrison and James C. Klotter.

www.history.ky.gov

FREE BOOK THIS WEEKEND!

Troianne is FREE this weekend.

You really should take this chance to read the first book in the Time Travel Society Series.
http://amzn.to/VwhUw7

He said all the right things...
Then left her alone.

Troianne Shelden is your everyday, intelligent student. With a love for history and stunning figure, she's a catch for any guy. But after a night of passion with a handsome stranger, introduced to her by their mutual friends, she finds herself pregnant with nowhere to turn for advice.

Her parents passed away long ago and, soon after Troianne finds out she's pregnant, her grandmother passes, too. Left with a large inheritance, she looks forward to life with her new baby.

Fate takes the wheel when she goes into labor. On her way to the hospital, she passes out from intense pain and wakes up in a very different place...

The next thing she knows, she's hearing carriage wheels and voice shouting for help. Lightning illuminates the inside of what was, only moments before, the back of a taxi cab. When the door opens, she's greeted by a handsome man dressed like he stepped out of the past.

In shock, she realizes that she's somehow traveled back in time--
...and she has no idea how to return.

http://amzn.to/VwhUw7

Cover Reveal

Troubled Souls
By: Genevieve Scholl
Genre: Romantic Mystery
Cover Reveal: March 5^th
Release Day Blitz: April 15^th (103^rd Anniversary of the sinking)
Hosted by: Author Sandra Love

 

The sinking of the Titanic was one of the most shocking tragedies in history. Rosalee has always had a strange fascination with the whole thing. She never understood why she was so curious about the ship, the passengers, and the sinking… Until she visited an artifact exhibit in Las Vegas, and started having dreams of being a passenger on the ship in 1912.

Once she finds out which passenger she is portraying in these visions, she does some research and finds out that not only is the woman buried nearby, but she also has a striking resemblance to her.

Now she has a million questions, and the only thing that can help her get the answers is the spirit of the passenger… And possibly the handsome Historian in a suit.

Excerpt:

Bradley snapped his head back at Rosalee’s question. The doctor hadn’t said there was any possibility of amnesia, but he guessed that was why they kept people for observation. Bradley could only hope it was temporary. After pressing the nurse’s button, he gently sat on the edge of the bed and carefully grabbed Rosalee’s hand in his, making lazy circles on the top with his thumb. He didn’t want to say anything for fear of jarring her memory and causing some kind of damage.

A nurse walked in to the room and smiled when she saw that Rosalee was awake. “How are you feeling, Rosalee?” she asked sweetly.

Bradley winced at the mention of her name, and looking down at Rosalee’s creased brow.

“Who’s Rosalee?” she questioned. “My name is Emily,” she added.

The nurse—whose name was Daphne, according to her badge—looked between Rosalee and Bradley in confusion. “She seems to be suffering a little amnesia,” he told her. “Is it a cause for concern?”

Daphne’s smile reappeared, though it wasn’t as cheerful as the last time. “It’s possible with any head injury, of course; though we weren’t expecting it with such a minor bump. But that’s why we keep people in for 24-hour observation.” She moved a chair close to the bed and took a seat. “After I gather a bit of information and check her vitals, I’ll have the doctor stop by to talk to you.” Bradley nodded, and Daphne turned to Rosalee. “Are you up for a few questions?” She nodded, and Daphne pat her hand before continuing. “Now, Emily,” she paused as she smiled at Rosalee. The use of the name made Rosalee visibly relax, and Brad sighed … she really did believe her name was Emily, “do you know your last name?”

“Lancaster,” she answered immediately.

Daphne nodded, and wrote on the paper she held. “Do you know why you’re in the hospital?”

Rosalee shook her head. “The last thing I remember is standing on the ship.”

“What ship?” Bradley asked gently.

“The Titanic, of course.”

About the Author:

I'm just a small town girl with a heart for the country life. I'm very shy and pretty much a loner, but my writing helps me be more outgoing and talk to various people that I would otherwise have a hard time approaching. I don't write for the money or the fame, but rather to tell a story that needs to be told; whether that is my story or a character's story. As a lot of people know, from my various interviews, I started writing to express my anger and hurt over the bullying that I experienced in High School, but eventually I just realized that I loved to tell stories. I was born in Texas, grew up and still live in Upstate New York, and want to retire in Ireland.

For updates on the story, the release, or to chat with Genevieve …

• Email : Gswriter1215@gmail.com
• Mailing Address : Po Box 163, Yorkville, NY, 13495
• Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/groups/701088989922814/
• Also, if you’d like to check out her Amazon page and her past published titles : http://www.amazon.com/Genevieve-Scholl/e/B00DFPXH9S/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

To sign up for Genevieve’s newsletter and receive a Save the Date card like the one pictured above, feel free to fill out the form: http://eepurl.com/9jzV1 (to ensure a Save the Date card is sent to you, physical address is required—if no physical address is given, you will still receive the newsletter in your email, but will be opted out of receiving any physical mail/swag).