Monday, March 26, 2012

Welcome Carrie Turansky!

Tell us a little about yourself and your background.

Thanks, Anne, I appreciate the invitation to visit with you and your readers on your blog today. Here’s a little about me. I’m originally from Oregon, but have lived in New Jersey for the last 23 years. Scott and I have been married for 34 years. We have five children and 3 grandchildren. I homeschooled my children for a number of years, and as they graduated I had more time for writing. My first book was published in 2005, and I’ve had nine novels and novellas published since then.

What do you feel is the most challenging aspect in writing?

One of the most challenging skills a writer needs to learn is to silence the internal editor that slows you down and questions every word and sentence. Turning her off helps your creativity flow. You can write more quickly and your unique writer’s voice appears on the page.

Which comes first? The character's story or the idea for the novel?

For me, the ideas and characters simmer together at the same time. I like to use resources from My Book Therapy (Susan May Warren) and Michael Hague to create my characters and plot. Both of these teachers encourage you to work on your characters and plot at the same time, step by step.  

Is there a message in your novel you want readers to grasp?


In A Man To Trust, the heroine, Adrie Chandler, is trying to decide what’s more important to her in life. She has spent years training as a classical musician and wants to play her flute professionally with a symphony, but when the opportunity finally arrives, she’s not sure she should follow through on that dream. I hope readers will identify with Adrie’s desire to find God’s will and discern how to best use their gifts and talents. I also hope they’ll see how trusting God and forgiving hurts in the past can help build trust and stronger relationships in the present.

Is there a particular Bible verse that has helped you through a difficult time?

I love the Psalms. That’s where I usually run for comfort and guidance when I am facing a difficult time. Psalm 46 has been very meaningful to me: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” He doesn’t promise to just send us help and strength, he says He IS our refuge and strength, and He is always available to help us. That is so comforting!

Who would you pick to play the lead roles if this book was made into a movie?

If A Man To Trust were made into a movie, I’d choose Jim Caviezel to play Ross Peterson, and Amy Adams to play Adrie Chandler.


 

Do you have any writing habits that people might find unusual?

One of my most creative times is when I am just waking up. I like to stay in bed for a few minutes and think about my story and what comes next. Going for a walk is also another way I can think through a scene and figure out what to do when I feel stuck. 

What do you like to do in your spare time? Hobbies?

I enjoy reading and watching movies. In the warmer weather I like to work in my flower gardens and spend time outdoors. Cooking for friends and family is fun for me. And I love to arrange flowers for weddings and special events. I’ve done the flowers for two of my children’s weddings. It was a lot of work, but very rewarding to be able to use my gifts to bless them and give them beautiful flowers for their special day.

How do you choose a title?

I usually brainstorm a long list of words that relate to the story and then group them together and switch them around. My editor always makes the final choice and chooses from the list and sometimes comes up with something completely different. Of my ten books, only two have the original titles I chose. All the rest were chosen by my editors.

Do you use character charts? How about photos of real people to inspire a character?

Yes, I use character charts to help me get the facts down about my hero and heroine. I also like to use The Book Buddy, by Susan May Warren, to help me answer key questions about my characters and plot. I like to find photos for each of my main characters. I created a Pinterest board for my characters and setting for A Man To Trust. You can take a look here: http://pinterest.com/carrieturansky/a-man-to-trust/

Can you give us a sneak peek into what book you are working on right now? When does it release?

A Man To Trust is the second book in The Bayside Treasure Series. The first is Seeking His Love. The third book is Snowflake Sweethearts. It will release in late November 2012, and is a sweet holiday romance. Each of these books features a group of four senior-age friends known as The Bayside Treasures. They love to get together each week to play Scrabble, share the latest news and work on matchmaking plans for their younger friends and relatives. They are great prayer warriors too. In Snowflake Sweethearts they hope to match Irene’s grandson Alex with Annie, a young single mother with a five year-old daughter who is a personal chef. 

Where can readers find you on the Internet?

I love to connect with readers on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and through my website: www.carrieturansky.com. I offer an email newsletter every other month with book news, recipes, encouraging articles, book recommendations, and more. The signup is on my website.

I’d be happy to give away a paper book or eBook to any US resident, or a PDF to read on an eReader to anyone outside the US.

Thank you for all the insights into your writing experience, and for sharing some favorite activities with us, Carrie!

I read A Man to Trust and thoroughly enjoyed the story of Adrie and Ross. The tension between the two was just right. He's flirty and she's a little reserved, which is what makes this one such fun! 

I thought Adrie's desire to make sure she made the correct decision about her future and her hesitancy to trust Ross was presented in realistic fashion. After all, he's a new believer and a girl can't be too careful. Right? 

Thankfully, she learns to trust him because he lives his new found faith and proves to be a trustworthy friend. 

Biblical truth is woven beautifully throughout. 

I'd never actually finished a Love Inspired book until A Man to trust. The only thing that would have made it better is if it was longer J

Carrie is offering a print book or eBook to any US resident, or a PDF to an International reader! Leave a comment to be entered! Giveaway ends on April 3rd!

Feel free to ask Carrie some questions! She is happy to interact with us :)

35 comments:

  1. Hi Anne, thanks so much for inviting me over to your blog. I love the special photos you found to go along with the interview. Hope readers will enjoy learning more about A Man To Trust...and someone special will win a copy. : )

    Blessings,
    Carrie

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  2. Glad to have you here! Thanks for being so patient with my technical skills, or lack thereof :)

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  3. I have not read this book yet, but after reading this blog, I cannot wait to read it!!!

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  4. I have never read one of Carrie's books and this one looks like a good place to start!

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  5. Hi Angel and Rebecca, thanks for stopping by to learn more about A Man To Trust. I love connecting with readers....especially new readers. Hope you will enjoy this story.
    : )

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  6. This looks like a fun, romantic, inspirational book - can't wait to read it - and I'd love to get a book free too!

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  7. Please enter me. I know I would enjoy it.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  8. I already have A Man to Trust on my wish list and looking forward to reading. I have not read any of Carrie's books but now have her as new author and will reading soon.
    Thanks for the opportunity to enter giveaway for a paper book of "A Man to Trust".

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  9. Hey Rebecca,
    It's a sweet and quick read! I'm looking forward to reading more of Carrie's books :)

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  10. Thanks Angel! I hope you keep coming back :)

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  11. Hey Beth,
    I know you'll enjoy it! Best wishes :)

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  12. Hi Carole,
    It is all of those things! I thoroughly enjoyed it :)

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  13. The great thing is that Carrie's not a "new" author so we should be able to get hold of some more great books by her :) Happy reading, MissKallie!

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  14. I love Love Inspired books! This one sounds really interesting, its going on my to be read list.
    Thanks for the giveaway! =)

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  15. Hi Melissa, Nice to have you here today. Do you have a favorite Love Inspired story?

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  16. I'm a lover of the Psalms also, it speaks to me wherever I am at the moment. A Man to Trust sounds terrific and the third book in the series is one I'll watch for since I'm a Scrabble nut. Please add me!

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  17. Hi Merry, Thanks for stopping by. I love Scrabble too. Have you ever played Speed Scrabble? That's a fun version where each player is creating their own puzzle and then each time one of the players uses all their letters they alert everyone by saying, "Go!" and you all have to take one more new letter. You can rearrange your letters at any time and the game goes until all the letters are used up. The winner is the player who has the highest scoring word puzzle. It's faster paced than regular Scrabble. We like to play both versions.

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  18. Looks like a great book! I really enjoyed the interview.

    And I am a Scrabble addict!


    Katy Lee

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  19. Finally got back on the internet! Our cable was out since yesterday afternoon.

    I'm not much of a gamer but Scrabble is always fun. In our family, it's a free for all, which makes it a riotous time! No one ever follows the rules :)

    If anyone has any questions for Carrie, please feel free to ask! She'll be popping in & out to answer them!

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  20. LOVE Carrie and LOVE Carrie's work!!! Thanks, Anne, for having her on.

    Carrie, the Pinterest page for A Man to Trust is VERY cool, and the guy on there??? HUBBA, HUBBA!! :)

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  21. Hi Julie! Thanks for stopping by and for checking out the Pinterest board for A Man To Trust. Yes, the hero Ross Peterson, is handsome and he has a great heart too. I've had a few readers tell me they wish he was real and available. : )

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  22. The book sounds wonderful, I know in my own life it's be hard to decide the right thing to do.

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  23. Hi Merry! Yes, the Psalms always seem to have just what I need, any time. They're so beautiful!

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  24. Hey Julie! Thanks for coming by. I was so glad Carrie said she would come on here and I'm so excited to introduce her to some of my readers. I really enjoyed this story. Ross is soooo sweet and I loved Adrie's grandmother :)

    I think Jim Caviezel and Amy Adams would make the perfect pair to play these two characters! Carrie "done good" picking them ;)

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  25. Theresa, I know what you mean! Sometimes it's so difficult to know if I am making the right decision but I know that if I seek God's will through His Word, he will make the way clear :) Thank you so much for coming by and entering!

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  26. This book looks great-I'm looking forward to reading it. I haven't read the first book in the series yet, do they need to be read in order?

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  27. Hi Rebekah, Thanks for your question. Each of the Bayside Treasure Series stands alone and they can be read in any order. The Bayside Treasure Ladies are secondary characters in all the books, and of course the setting, Fairhaven, WA, is the same for each book.

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  28. Love your choices for the movie and your books have just been added to my to-read list.

    Loraine Ertelt

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  29. Hey Rebekah,

    I didn't read them in order and had no problem keeping up with who's who :) Carrie does such a great job with characterization! Thanks for coming by and entering. Hope you have a great weekend.

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  30. Hey Loraine! I know, aren't they great actors to play the part?! Especially Jim ;) Have a great weekend!

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  31. I'm always glad to hear about new authors...ones whose books I've not read...thanks for the info.

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  32. absolutely love your inclusion of seniors in a series ! so rare ~ and life is not all and only about 20 somethings' romances :) so this is verrry encouraging! bless you !

    and thanks for your giveaway generosity !

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  33. Hi Faith, Hope and Cherrytea - Yes, those Bayside Treasure Ladies are a hoot. Marian, the owner of Bayside Books is a widow and has her own romance in A Man To Trust. I hope you enjoy the story. Thanks for stopping by!
    Carrie

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  34. Since I am now a Senior, this series sounds very intriguing. Would love to read it and thank you for the opportunity.

    Blessings,
    Jo

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  35. God gave me my man to trust when I was 30. I would love to read this book and review it! Thank you! Audrey

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I am so delighted that you've taken time to come by and comment. Blessings for a joy-filled day!

1 Corinthians 1:3 ~ Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.