CAROL Finalist: Dana Mentink

So, Dana, what first made you pick up your pen (keyboard) and write a romance? 

We need more love in the world, don't you think? My first book was actually about an older woman who had lost her husband. It's a nutty little mystery with an off beat romance. It just sort of evolved that way somehow. I think every great story has an element of love in it. 

 

What led you to Harlequin's Love Inspired? 

Suspense was a good fit for me since it shares characteristics with mystery. I pitched a few times and was rejected until I got a letter asking me to rewrite which I did. That was dozens of books ago, so I guess it's still a good fit! 

 

How many books have your published? 

Hmmm, maybe 14 or 15 or so? There's a three in one chucked in there so I'm not sure if that counts. 

 

How many times have you entered the CAROL? 

Many times, but I've only finaled once before with my first book, Killer Cargo. 

 

What made this book stand out?

 It's a series about treasure hunters pursuing a priceless painting. Lots of excitement and danger, plenty of great moments in dark tunnels and such for a romance to develop. A fun roller coaster ride, but with some deeper themes such as mental illness.

 

What is your writing day like? 

I give the rooster a run for his money. Bang away on those keys well before dawn, is my aim! Then it's "get the bear cubs off to school time" followed by a few more hours of writing before they return. Two days a week I'm teaching third grade so I'm hanging out with young writers. Nothing more exciting than mentoring a gaggle of kids in writing. They are the greatest because they're not afraid to try new techniques. 

 

What can we expect to see next? 

I'm just finishing up a natural disaster series entitled Stormswept. Earthquakes, hurricanes and floods. Oh my!

Ask Elnora--About ACFW??? Lenora Worth

Hello, my lovely friends. September is a good month. My daughter was born in September and fall comes in September. It kind of slinks in on those last rays of summer sun and plays around, a leaf falling here, a burst of crisp clean air there. You feel a hint of change in the air.  September is the beginning of the end of the year, the winding down of all the rebirth and growth we get to enjoy and then the world goes quiet and turns into brilliant colors that allow the good earth and the natural world to take a rest and go dormant. But there is another reason I love September and that is the American Christian Fiction Writers Annual Conference!

This year, it will be held September 13 -- 15 in Indianapolis, Indiana. It is the best conference for anyone who is interested in writing. Yes, I know it's technically a conference for Christian writers but good writing is good writing and you can learn how to be a good writer at this conference. But it's very different from some big conferences. At ACFW, we begin each day with a worship service and praise singing and lots of prayers. It's a loving, open, giving place where people's lives really do change. There are so many people in this world who have stories to tell and they hurt to put their words to paper. This is the place for such people.

I know that not everyone who attends will go home and write a book. For some, it will be a lifetime struggle and for others, it will be a dream realized. Writing is a hard business. We start with a blank page and we try to fill it and hundreds of pages with words that are woven together into a story. It's not an easy task, no matter what anyone has told us. But at ACFW, we use The Word to help us figure out our words. It's a good place to start.

If you haven't been to ACFW, if you haven't heard of ACFW, if you have a story in your heart and a dream in your head, then today is your lucky day. Elnora is encouraging you to check out this conference. If not this year, work toward going next year. (The hotel fills up and I'm telling you this rather late, but I just want everyone to be aware.) If you can't go to the conference, try joining ACFW and work you way from there. September is about letting go but it's also about blossoming into something wonderful come spring. It's Elnora's job to spread hope to those out there who might not be sure. Be sure and be assured, ACFW means business--the Lord's business and the writing business. Oh, and you can wear fabulous shoes, too, of course :)))

The CAROL

For the last few months, every Thursday, we featured an inspirational finalist's book for the RITA.  In the secular writing world, that's an Emmy.  Here on the Craftie Ladies' site, we had Missy Tippens in the running, and we were all rooting for her.  "Go, Missy" was our chant.

For a night, she was a princess.

The Christian writing world has an award for outstanding writing, too.  It's called the CAROL.  The CAROL is the American Christian Fiction Writers' award for best Christian fiction publishing by traditional publishing houses.

It's a "Hey, you nailed it!"

The CAROL is name after the editor who 'discovered' Janette Oke.

The Craftie Ladies have three members in the running:

Dana Mentink for Lost Legacy
Margaret Daley for Saving Hope
Lynette Eason for When a Heart Stops

We are so proud of you ladies!