Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Virginia Smith's "Third Time's a Charm"


We're happy to have Virginia Smith with us talking about her book "Third Time's a Charm."

1) How did this story come to you?
Since Third Time’s a Charm is the third in a series, I knew the character’s overall goal and internal conflict, because they were the same ones shared by her sisters in the first two books. But the plot came from a series of conversations with people who have experience as marketing research analysts, which is the main character’s occupation. As I asked questions about the job, and about the advertising industry, I got different ideas from each of them. It was fun watching all the pieces come together into a story.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I got the idea to write a series of books based on three southern sisters as I was driving from Kentucky to Denver for my first International Christian Retail Show in the summer of 2005. Since I’m the oldest of three sisters, I had a lot of personal material to draw on! The contract from Revell came in early 2006. It was my third book contract, following Just As I Am and Murder by Mushroom, and the first multi-book contract I’d ever received.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
Number One: I never wanted to be a writer as a child. Instead, I wanted to be a judge from the time I was selected for the role of Judge Jezabell Justice for a mock trial in my 7th grade history class.

Number Two: I’m a singer and have recorded four CDs, three with a contemporary Christian group and one solo CD. (And I still have some of those available, if anyone likes hymns!)

Number Three: I was a smoker for thirteen years, and quit in 1990 (twenty years ago!) as a New Year’s resolution. In fact, back in the 80’s when people still smoked in buildings, I smoked so heavily that when I left that company, my office had to sit empty for three months before anyone could stand to move in there.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I’ve got two more books coming out this year. A Daughter’s Legacy is a romance novel set in a zoo. It will be released from Steeple Hill in May. And I just finished writing Into the Deep, a romantic suspense novel also coming out from Steeple Hill later this year. That one has a scuba diving theme, and is set partly in Mexico. You can tell I have a lot of fun researching my novels! Beyond that, I’m in the proposal stage with a couple of books, so I’ve got plenty to keep me busy this year.

5) Parting comments?
I hope readers enjoy Third Time’s a Charm. I have to say, the ending of this book is one that I’m really happy with. I always pay extra close attention the last line of a book, because I want to leave readers with a satisfied feeling. And since this book concluded a series, I wanted that last line to be really special. I prayed about it, and wandered around the house mumbling to myself. The words finally came, and it was one of those moments a writer loves, when you type them and then stare at them on the screen with chills zipping up your spine. I think it wrapped up the series perfectly!

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
My website is www.virginiasmith.org. My blog is integrated in the website, under the tab called Ginny’s Journal. (I call it a Journal so people won’t have expectations of daily posts!) I also spend far more time than I should on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ginny.p.smith

29 comments:

  1. This book looks wonderful! Count me in!

    Blessings
    Michelle V
    m.vasquez[at]grandecom[dot]net

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  2. I can't wait to read this book, whether I win it or not. My email is autistictigress@yahoo.com. Thanks Robyn

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  3. Hi, I've read some of Virginia's other books and enjoyed them. I'd love to read this one. Thanks for putting my name in the hat.

    Sincerely,

    Nora :D
    Finding Hope Through Fiction
    www.psalm516.blogspot.com

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  4. Please enter me to win....I would love to own Third Time's a Charm!

    Rae Byuel
    raebyuel(@)gmail(.)com

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  5. What christian group were you with?

    adiefenderfer@liberty.edu

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  6. Count me in! I'd love to read this book! :)

    nataliewhite2u@gmail.com

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  7. Sounds like the book for me. :)
    Please enter me!

    jennifer AT jennifershirk DOT com

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  8. I'd LOVE to win Ginny's book Third Time's a Charm, the third book in the Sister to Sister series. I've read the first two and enjoyed them immensely. Ginny is not only a great writer, but a wonderful friend!

    Thanks,
    Sherry
    sherrykyle@hotmail.com

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  9. I'm currently reading Stuck in the Middle and LOVE it! Please enter me to win!

    forgravebooks at gmail dot com

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  10. Love to be entered in Virginia's book giveaway. Thanks.

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  11. This book sounds great! Would love to read it!

    edwina.cowgill@yahoo.com

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  12. I always enjoy author interviews.I love the part about things that readers would not know. Was it hard to quit smoking? count me in the contest. agreatdayin2003@yahoo.com

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  13. I'm reading Virginia's book "Bluegrass Peril" right now. she is a wonderful writer. Please sign me up.
    Deborah M.
    debbiejeanm[at]gmail[dot]com

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  14. I'm sure we'll like the ending just as much. Congrats! :O)
    estrella8888 at roadrunner dot com

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  15. a fabulous interview...would enjoy reading this book :)

    karenk
    kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  16. Virginia's new book sounds terrific, please include me for Third Time's a Charm. Thanks!

    worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com

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  17. please enter my name too!
    Jodi
    hayllo@nucleus.com

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  18. Yup, yup, please enter me! Thank you.
    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

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  19. I will put this series on my 'to read' list. I haven't read any books about marketing rsearch analysts.
    KAthy
    scrapkath@hotmail.com

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  20. This book looks good. Please enter me!

    caseym(dot)writer(at)gmail(dot)com

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  21. I have three daughters and this series sounds like it would be a good reading fit for our family.
    Thanks for the opportunity to win one of them.
    Carol
    lwileyfamily@wildblue.net

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  22. I didn't realize that this was a series and read the 2nd book and loved it. Now I want to read the 3rd book. Please enter me in the giveaway.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

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  23. Surprised by the revelations! Would love to win this book! Thanks, Melody
    msproule1225 at gmail.com

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  24. I thought I had commented here but must of missed it. I enjoy Virginia's books. Thanks for the chance to win.
    wsmarple at gmail dot com

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  25. Don't you just love this cover? It's a wonderful, fun story. I endorsed this book and highly recommend it! So don't enter me!

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  26. I would love to win this book. Please enter my name in the drawing. Thanks!

    debracollins@tds.net

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  27. Looks like a fun read, please enter me to win this book!

    Pam
    bookworm1414 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  28. Thanks so much to all of you for the great comments, and for your interest in reading Third Time's a Charm!

    TO answer the question posted anonymously -- yes, quitting smoking was HARD. One of the hardest things I'd ever done. In fact, I walked around for about three days chomping on gum until my jaws ached and biting everyone's heads off. My husband worked at the same company, and he followed me around to smooth feathers, telling them, "It's okay. She didn't mean it. She just quit smoking." But the intensity of the craving started to fade after about 3 days, and by then I determined that I was NEVER going to go through that again.

    To all of you - for more chances to win a free copy of Third Time's a Charm, keep an eye on www.virginiasmith.org. I'll give away more copies in Feb, and there's a blog tour going on the first week of Feb.

    THANKS to Dawn! This interview was a lot of fun!

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  29. Oops -- sorry I forgot to answer another question. The group I sang with was called The Joyful Sound. Ten vocalists and a live band. I was the top soprano. We traveled around Utah, Colorado, Idaho, and Wyoming. Had a lot of fun, and sang a lot of praise to the Lord. Those 3 years taught me a lot about ministry, and I'll always treasure the experience.

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