Interview Author Carol Moncado

1. Where did the inspiration for Finding Mr. Write come from?

The inspiration came from a conversation I had with Casey Herringshaw in the comments on Seekerville one day in mid-2011. We were planning for our first ACFW conference and debated whether or not we should stalk Julie Lessman while there. It turns out we didn’t need to, but the idea had taken root. The original concept had a much more Lucy-Ethel tone to it, but I love the way it turned out.

So why Mya Elizabeth Linscott? Mya… well, the reason is implied in the book so I won’t spoil it here. I don’t remember the inspiration for Elizabeth, but likely just looking for something with an “E” to make it MEL. Linscott comes from my favorite Mary Connealy hero, Tom Linscott in Sharpshooter in Petticoats.

2. Where did the inspiration for Dorrie come from? What about the skin cancer on Dorrie’s nose?Dorrie embodies pretty much every author I know, myself included. The insecurities. The fears. The rejection. But with all of that comes friendships that transcend writing. Camaraderie. Growth. And I do know of at least one couple that met at a conference and married later. Her journey mirrors mine in many ways [though not the contest final/win – or the random conference wedding ;)].As for the skin cancer… as I was working on a round of edits for this book, I was diagnosed with exactly what she was. Her experience there also very much mirrors my own – from the nickel-sized crater to the second surgery and the lasering. And yes – my eyelids were numb at one point ;).

3. Where did the inspiration for Jeremiah come from?My husband isn’t a writer, but he’s a lot like Jeremiah in a lot of ways. He’s incredibly supportive and I couldn’t do this writer thing without him. I don’t know where the whole “Prince Caspian” thing came from, but came it did. And I loved it!

4. What book(s) is(are) coming out next? What am I working on now?This is the beginning of my “grand opening” as an author! Six books are releasing this year and I’m working to finish them up right now.
   * Finally Mr. Write: CANDID Romance book 2; November 24, 2014
   * Falling for Mr. Write: CANDID Romance book 3; December 2014
   *Good Enough for a Princess: The Montevaro Monarchy book 1; November 17, 2014
   *Along Came a Prince: The Montevaro Monarchy book 2; December 2014
   *More Than a Princess: The Montevaro Monarchy book 3; December 2014Spring 2014 will see the release of the next series – The Brides of Bellas Montagnes. When I have the time, I’m working on book 3 in that series, Prince from her Past. The first two are mostly done – Hand-me-down Princess and Queen of His Heart [working title].
5. Who else is in the household? Are they supportive?My husband, Matt, and I have four kids. Three girls – 13, 11, 9 – and a boy, age 7. They are all incredibly supportive!!! The 5.5lb Shorkie? He doesn’t like his snuggle spot in my lap taken up by the laptop or external keyboard ;).
6. Why indie? Why now? How does that process work? 
   Why indie? Because I’ve been doing this for a long time and most of my books are just a bit too outside “the box” for traditional publishers to take a chance on. I completely get that. Plus the number of fiction slots available each year with a traditional publisher has shrunk several times through the closure of fiction lines in the last couple of years.Why now? I have 13 manuscripts under my belt, many of which were a polish or two away from being ready. Plus, I really, truly, believed God gave me the go-ahead when I prayed about it.How does it work? Write a book. Rewrite the book. Edit. Edit. Edit. Critique partners. Edit. Edit. Proofreaders. Design a cover. Format the ebook. Format the paperback. Format the paperback cover. Submit the ebook to Kindle Direct Publishing. Submit the paperback files to CreateSpace and wait for a proof copy. Pray the proof copy arrives in time to sync the paperback and ebooks by the release date [that didn’t happen for Finding Mr. Write and is unlikely to for Good Enough for a Princess, but they’re both coming]. Anything but the writing [and some of the editing] can be hired out – either in exchange for money [paying an editor or cover designer or formatter, for instance] or as a barter [like with critique partners]. A long, daunting – but rewarding – process!

I’ve enjoyed getting to know Carol, and hope you have too.    You can read more about her and her writing at her Amazon Author Page – or her website CarolMoncado.com