Author Melissa Tagg ~ And a Six Author Giveaway

Today I'm thrilled to finally welcome my good friend Melissa Tagg to my blog! Melissa is here to tell us a little about her writing journey and the new release of her debut novel Made to Last. I can't wait for you to "meet" Melissa. She's a lovely lady and a wonderful writer who just happens to be an incredible friend, as well.

 

Melissa and me at ACFW in September

Melissa's guest post is the fourth in a six week author spotlight series I'm doing here. Week one I hosted author Jody Hedlund, week two I hosted author Laura Frantz, and week three I hosted author Wendy Paine Miller. Check back here each Wednesday for a new author. At the bottom of this post I'll tell you how you can win a fun gift basket from these six authors!

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Melissa, I'm so excited that you're a guest on my blog today! I've been waiting a long time to have you here to talk about your debut novel, Made to Last!

 

For readers who might be "meeting" you here for the first time, can you give us a quick history lesson on your publication journey?

 

Sure…I started writing seriously in fall 2009 when I attended a My Book Therapy Storycrafting Retreat led by the fabulous Susan May Warren. Total game-changer in my writing life. I started pursuing publication, then, in fall 2010 when I attended my first ACFW conference. Early 2012 is when doors really started opening. First an editor from Bethany House contacted me after following me on Twitter and reading my blog. She invited me to send in a proposal—I sent two. :) And eventually sent both books.

 

Around the same time, I received a scholarship to attend the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. There I connected with Chip MacGregor—and following that, had phone calls with both him and one of his agents, Amanda Luedeke. In June 2012, I signed with Amanda. Two weeks later, we found out one of my books was going to the pub board at BHP. Two weeks after that, BHP offered me a two-book contract.

 

In other words, 2012 was a really good year. J

 

It's been so much fun watching the last couple years of your journey unfold. I was thrilled when I could finally hold Made to Last in my hands! What sparked your idea for Made to Last? Does the story look the same as you had first envisioned or has it changed a lot since then?

 

Oh man, this story has gone through SO many changes. Some of the characters who made it into the final version didn’t appear in earlier versions and some other characters got nixed early on. Recently someone asked me to submit some deleted scenes from the book and all the earlier pieces came flooding back. It’s amazing the transformation stories go through as we revise. But I think that’s part of what makes stories and storytelling so fun…

 

As for what sparked it, it started with the movie Christmas in Connecticut. It’s a 1945 movie starring Barbara Stanwyck, who has built a fake life for herself…including a fake husband. I thought the storyline was super cute, so I borrowed the pretend marriage angle and ran with it.

We both share a love for old movies, so I'm very familiar with Christmas in Connecticut, and Barbara Stanwyck! I was intrigued when I first heard the premise for your story and I waited a long time to finally read Made to Last! I have to say, it was even better than I had hoped! Each of the characters have distinct personalities and unique stories to tell. One character in particular has gained a lot of attention. Blake "Blaze" Hunziker is Miranda Woodruff's fake husband in Made to Last, but he definitely left many of us swooning! Can you give us a little glimpse into Blake's story in Here to Stay, which releases in May?

 

I would love to. Oh Blake… J

 

So, Blake is the funny guy in Made to Last. But I think (I hope) in MTL many readers will get the sense that there’s more to him than goofiness…that behind the hilarity is a vulnerability and a past he’s been trying to outrun. So in Here to Stay, we see him finally going home to face that past. Right away in the first chapter, you’ll get a glimpse of the weight he’s been carrying around and this desperate desire he has to settle down, live a normal life and make up for the past. Of course, while he’s there he runs into my heroine…a hometown girl who just wants to leave their little tourist town, travel the world, finally live her own adventure.

 

I'm already counting down the days until I find out what happens to Blake!! With book two set to release next year, you can soon say you're a multi-published author! What has surprised you the most about reaching the "published" stage on your journey?

 

Hmm, you know, I think it’s easy as an aspiring author to think once you hit the “published” stage, everything is perfect and you’ve arrived. But actually, the work gets more intense…and frankly, the emotions can get crazier if you let them. :) I’m enjoying this season SO much, but I have felt busier than I ever thought possible. So honestly, I think the most surprising thing has been that feeling of being stretched—mostly in a good way—spiritually, physically and mentally.

 

I was just talking to my hubby about this very subject last night. I think so many of us get a false impression that once we sign a publishing contract (or reach other milestones) it will be smooth sailing. The truth is that no matter what we are pursuing in life, God will use each leg of the journey to teach us a new lesson and grow us in ways we never thought possible.

Here's my last question, Melissa! Just for fun, if you could only eat one dessert for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

 

Haha, if I had to make this decision for real, after crying for awhile, I’d have to go with this frozen mocha dessert I make sometimes. It’s kinda the best dessert EVER—oreo crust and a filling made of cream cheese, chocolate syrup, sweetened condensed milk, whipped cream, instant coffee, basically everything that’s fattening and horrible and wonderful. I like a lot of desserts but that one beats out even the best restaurant desserts. I tend to offer to make it for family gatherings just because I want it…and because I love licking off the spatula after whipping up the filling.

 

I have a few of those special desserts too! I think mine would have to be Monster Cookies. :)

 

Thank you so much for being here today, Melissa. I'm praying for Made to Last, as well as Here to Stay, and all the other books you'll write in the future!

 

Melissa has graciously agreed to give away a free copy of her new release, Made to Last, to one of the blog readers who comments on this post between now and Tuesday, October 22nd at 11:59 p.m. Please leave your email address under your comment!

 

A QUESTION FOR MY BLOG READERS: If you could only eat one dessert for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

 

Last weeks winner of The Disappearing Key, by author Wendy Paine Miller is:

Wilani Wahl

Congratulations, Wilani! I'll be contacting you soon.

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Miranda Woodruff has it all. At least, that's how it looks when she's starring in her homebuilding television show, From the Ground Up. So when her network begins to talk about making cuts, she'll do anything to boost ratings and save her show--even if it means pretending to be married to a man who's definitely not the fiance who ran out on her three years ago.

When a handsome reporter starts shadowing Miranda's every move, all his digging into her personal life brings him a little too close to the truth--and to her. Can the girl whose entire identity is wrapped up in her on-screen persona finally find the nerve to set the record straight? And if she does, will the life she's built come crashing down just as she's found a love to last?

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Melissa Tagg is a former newspaper reporter and total Iowa girl. In addition to her work as a grant writer and communications coordinator at Iowa’s largest homeless ministry, she also serves as the marketing/events coordinator for My Book Therapy. Melissa blogs regularly at Melissa Tagg  and loves connecting with readers on Facebook , Twitter (@Melissa_Tagg), Youtube and Goodreads.

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Six Authors, One Grand Prize

The Grand Prize:
A $25 Amazon eGift Card (not pictured) from Gabrielle Meyer
A stationary and notepad set from Jody Hedlund
A handmade jewel bookmark from Laura Frantz
A multi-colored peacock necklace from Wendy Paine Miller
A copy of the movie Christmas in Connecticut from Melissa Tagg
Book one in the Cadence of Grace Series & a worship CD from Joanne Bischof
A black & brown scarf from Heather Day Gilbert

Over the course of six weeks I will be hosting six authors on my blog. Each author has agreed to offer a free copy of their newest release, as well as an item for a grand prize drawing at the end of the six weeks! To be entered to win a free copy of each book, all you need to do is visit my blog weekly (beginning September 25th) and comment on each author's post. A random winner will be chosen each week. To be entered to win the grand prize, visit my Rafflecopter below and follow the instructions. If you do each thing listed you'll earn 45 chances to win the grand prize! Don't forget to visit here each Wednesday to earn more chances!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway