Ask the Author: Deb Kastner
Answered Questions (11)
Deb Kastner
Oh, there are so many good answers to this question. I would love to visit Narnia and Aslan. Or hang out with Elizabeth Bennet and her sisters in Pride and Prejudice. But most of all, I think I'd like to visit my own fictional town, Serendipity, and have lunch at Cup O' Jo's Cafe, just to spend a little quality time with the old, rambunctious redhead, Jo Spencer, who would be able to give me advice on ALL my problems.
Deb Kastner
The Lord is my biggest inspiration, and there's a little bit of my own real life hero hubby in all of my heroes. I find ideas all around me--characteristics, conversations and circumstances. My heart and mind somehow inexplicably work together to create new characters and stories.
Deb Kastner
For many years while my children were little I wrote articles. I didn't have enough self-confidence to even consider fiction, but my husband believed in me and pushed me to write what I liked to read. I joined Romance Writers of America, learned about the craft and sold my first book less than two years later.
Deb Kastner
It depends on the publisher you're targeting, but most of the time you need to start by getting an agent (unless you're self-publishing). Study the market and the kinds of books that are similar to the one you've written. Find out who reps those authors you like and respect. At that point you can either query the agents that interest you through email or regular mail (check their websites for exact details!) or better yet, go to a conference where the agent is attending and sit down one on one with him/her and pitch your project. You can often also get an editor appointment and pitch your project directly.
Deb Kastner
Cherish every step of the process. You'll never be in this same spot again. Learn the craft, learn the business and press onward, believing that the Lord has special plans for you and your writing. There's no one out there like you!
Deb Kastner
Most of the time I write through it. I've discovered that if I continue to write on days where I feel every word is awful, I'll go back the next day and discover it's not so bad. Writing is my job. I can't just not show up for work.
Deb Kastner
Alexis is the third member of the Little Chicks, a group of Serendipity, Texas ladies who deserved their own stories. Redeeming the Rancher closes out my Serendipity Sweethearts series. I already knew Alexis from her many appearances in other Serendipity novels, and I knew what she did on Redemption Ranch, working with troubled teens. It was only a matter of finding the perfect hero in Griff to throw her life into chaos.
Deb Kastner
There are so many best things. Creating and living with my characters. Sharing my faith through my stories. I love writing full time because of the freedom it gives me to be where I need to be when I need to be there (even if deadlines are sometimes tight!).
Deb Kastner
My first book came out in 1998 and I'm currently working on number 25!
Deb Kastner
I'm currently working on my 24th book for Harlequin's Love Inspired line (and my 25th altogether). It's the third book in my Cowboy Country series, set in the fictional town of Serendipity.
Deb Kastner
Inspiration comes from all around me and from within, but when it's time to turn my muse on and get to work, it's music that helps get me in the creative zone. I'm a huge Texas Tenors fan and their playlist is my fav.
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