One-Year Blogoversary Celebration: Day One - Brandilyn Collins!

I'm so excited to welcome Brandilyn Collins to Christian Bookshelf Reviews! She's one of my favorite authors!

Brandilyn, thank you for celebrating my blog's one-year blogoversary with me!

Nice to be here.

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

Can’t say exactly. My love of Story grew from my love of drama and acting, which I began as far back as I can remember. Maybe my first part was in second grade, when I played Mary for a Christmas pageant. I had a black eye I’d gotten on the playground. Mom tried to hide it with makeup.

Anyway, after the birth of my daughter—and last child—in 1989, I said, “I’m gonna do it. I’m going to learn how to write fiction.” So I did.

What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

If you mean a quirk in my style of writing, I’d say my very tight style. Sometimes I’ll even drop words, like “and” after a comma. Or I’ll drop the subject from a sentence if I’m in very high action and want to show one quick beat after another. My tight writing lets me pack in a lot of plot with as few words as possible.

If you mean a quirk in my writing process I’d have to say my difficulty in coming up with ideas, and writing them when I finally do. Hah! That about covers everything, doesn’t it.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

Again, not sure what you mean by this question. If you mean a factoid I learned from my research, I could say all sorts of interesting things. When a tooth might float. What the rarest blood type is. How much a typical liver weighs. That erased photos off your digital camera aren’t really fully erased—when a techie wants to get at ‘em. And on and on.

If you mean what I’ve learned regarding the creation of fiction in general, it’s how very hard writing fiction is. Started hard, and it’s only gotten harder. Methinks in my next life I shall watch TV and eat bon-bons.

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

I’m currently working on my 25^th. I don’t know about having favorites, but the first two novels I wrote will always have a special place in my heart. Suspense: Eyes of Elisha. And a women’s fiction title: Color the Sidewalk for Me.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

Read. Jog. Make a lovely latte with my handy-dandy latte maker and drink it. Watch nature. Talks to my kids on the phone. Hang out with hubby. Sit on the deck in warm weather in our Idaho home.

Do you read books, if so, what is your favorite genre to read?

Suspense is my favorite, naturally. It’s the genre with the ultimate drama/tension. The main character finds herself in major trouble at the very beginning, and it only gets worse from there. But I read extensively and certainly not only suspense.

Do you have a favorite season?

Summer! I’m always cold, so it’s so nice to be warm.

Is there a place you'd like to visit, but haven't yet?

Australia. I’ll get there.

Do you have a favorite Bible verse?

My life verse: Psalm 138:8—The Lord will accomplish what concerns me. (NASB)

Are you currently working on any new novels?

I’m always working on a novel. I can be working on a novel when I have my feet up on the desk and am staring blankly out the window. It’s called thinking. Plotting. Characterizing. Or maybe just plain stuck gears.

Where can we find you on the web?

Web site: www.brandilyncollins.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/brandilyncollinsseatbeltsuspense

Book Giveaway!

Brandilyn Collins has graciously offered to give away a copy of her book 'Over The Edge' to one reader! I absolutely LOVED this book! 


For the blogoversary, I've changed the giveaway details - there are NO mandatory entries! Enter using the Rafflecopter below. Be sure to check back tomorrow for day two of the blogoversary celebration!

This giveaway is only open to US residents.

a Rafflecopter giveaway