- erynnmangum@gmail.com

Interview with Betsy St. Amant and a GIVEAWAY!

It’s our first edition of Fall Fiction Frenzy!

I’m SO excited to introduce y’all to one of my dearest writing friends – and here’s the kicker – we’ve never actually met in real life! 🙁 Someday!! I love this girl SO much – she has just been the best encouragement on days when I needed it the most (and not just about writing), she’s been the kick in the pants I needed on deadline days and such a sweet sister in Christ!

Meet Betsy St. Amant!

Betsy just released a new novel, Fireman Dad, which I found in my Walmart here recently (GO BETSY!). She’s married to – oddly enough – a fireman and they have a gorgeous little girl. And she’s one of my co-conspirators on Scribble Chicks.

All important question first. What’s your favorite drink to order at Starbucks?

Mmmm this is easy. And now I’m hungry. Grande, non-fat, white chocolate mocha with no whip (unless it’s a booksigning, then I splurge)

What are the odds??! We have the same order, if you change out the non-fat for fat and the white chocolate mocha for a caramel macchiato. 🙂 Tell us a little bit about how you got started writing.

I knew I wanted to be a writer since I was 7! I was always pecking away at our first home computer, trying to write Baby Sitter’s Club books (hello, Fan Fiction! haha) or making up my own characters, usually a girl with a dog and zero plot. ::grin:: I’ve been a character driven writer even since childhood! haha. I got serious about publication when I turned 18 and started attending writers conferences and trying to network and figure out how this whole thing worked. Gayle Roper introduced me to the ACFW and the rest is history! I’ve been a member there for 7+ years and it’s amazing. Their website is www.acfw.com – highly recommend.

So fun – I love how similar our stories are. Summer or winter – which one do you prefer?

Winter! I love sweatshirts and hot chocolate and blankets and not worrying about being tan. LOL. One brush with melanoma and tanning beds are officially a thing of my past. Hello, Jergen’s Glow Lotion.

Well. We all know my feelings on winter. Any new books out or in the process of coming out?

My latest release was Fireman Dad, August 1st via Love Inspired. My next release is Addison Blakely: Confessions of a PK coming via Barbour Books in January, 2012. Can’t wait!

Me either! Though, I have to tell you. I told Jon the title of your new book and he said, “Confessions of a place kicker? She’s a football fan?” It’s fall, I guess. 🙂 So, what’s your least favorite part of writing?

The waiting game! It never ends. First you wait to finish a story then you submit and wait to hear from an agent, then you get an agent and they submit to editors and you wait to hear from them. Then you wait to hear from committee and then you wait to get your line edits and then you wait to get your cover art and then you wait to get your author copies and then you wait for your release date and then you wait for reviews and then you start the process all over 🙂 Writers can’t be impatient. They’d go insane. I think the waiting does get easier but man, at the beginning, when I was new to the industry, it was brutal!

Preach it, sister! Tell us a little about the genre you write in. Why did you pick that route?

I’ve written 6 contemporary romances for Harlequin Love Inspired, but now I’m starting to branch out into YA, and actually, that genre picked me. Or rather God directed me to it. It all started when I pitched a contemporary romance to an editor at the 2009 ACFW Conference in Denver. When she reviewed it later, she told me it wasn’t quite what they were looking for at the time, but she liked my style, and did I happen to have a YA? I was like, uh….if you want one, I’ve got one! ha. So I realized that I had a story I’d already started, a “secret story” if you will, that was just for me, a “vent” book for expression. And it was a YA. So I brainstormed with a friend, fleshed it out, put it into proposal form, and Addison Blakely, Confessions of a PK, was officially born. It ended up being rejected at committee level at that house, but then we sold it to Barbour a few weeks later. You’ll get to meet Addison on January 1st ::grin:: God’s ways are so much higher than ours! I would have never thought I’d go that genre route but now, I can’t imagine NOT writing YA. I have a head full of new ideas eager to come out for teenagers. It’s becoming my new passion from the Lord.

Yay! What is your favorite part of writing?

The blank document screen of a new story waiting to be written. It’s an incredibly intimidating, incredibly inspiring (wow, how’s that for alliteration? lol) moment when anything is possible, when the story is fresh in your fingertips, waiting to be released. The opportunities are endless. It’s scary and awesome all at once. ::grin::

It’s totally scary and exciting! So, what’s your favorite character you’ve ever written?

That’s like asking to choose between my kids. LOL Thankfully I only have one kid right now, so Little Miss wins that category ::wink:: But in fiction…Wow. I guess if I MUST pick, I’d have to say Addison Blakley. She’s the heroine in my new YA coming out in January and she was so fun to write, probably because of the first person style. She’s quite snarky and witty but honest and relatable. She taught me a lot.

I have a favorite child too. 😉 Any advice for prospective authors?

DON’T GIVE UP! So many writers get discouraged after their fifth rejection or their tenth or their twentieth. But if you stop writing, stop submitting, stop trying, then you are guaranteed not to ever be published. You truly never know what door God is opening just around the corner. You have to keep moving to get there.

You have an entire day with nothing planned – what would you do if money was no object?

Oh great question! There’d be Starbucks, there’d be writing, there’d be new books from Barnes & Noble, there’d be dance lessons, and of course, there’d be shoe shopping. If $ is truly no object, then I’m going for the Jimmy Choos and the VENTI mocha. hehehe.

Ha! Great answers, Betsy!! You can find out more about my friend on her website, www.betsystamant.com. And, yay for this one, Betsy has very generously agreed to give a copy of Fireman Dad away!!

Every comment counts as an entry into the contest. Sorry guys – this contest is only open to folks in the continental U.S. One comment per person, please! And remember – every comment over the next two weeks enters you into the drawing for the Old Navy gift card! Time to stock up on those winter sweaters Betsy and I love!

Today’s comment question: If you had to watch the same movie 50 times in a row, what movie would it be and why?

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72 thoughts on “Interview with Betsy St. Amant and a GIVEAWAY!”

  1. My favorite movie is Sweet Home Alabama. I love romantic comedies, even if they are not always realistic, they are usually cute and this one always makes me laugh.

  2. If I had to watch the same movie 50 times in a row…let me rephrase that…the movie I HAVE watched 50 times in a row (which I also happen to love) is "Cars." My 2-year-old son is in love with Lightning McQueen and Mater. And I have to say, I love the animation, witty dialogue, and nostalgic themes of the movie. It's wholesome and funny. Great movie!

  3. Hmmm…toughy…there are just so many I love…so I'll go with my most recent obsession…The Lake House because well…I've played it a whole lot the past few months…I <3 it 🙂

  4. Unfortunately I live in Canada, so I can't win anything. I just have to write You've Got Mail. It is my absolutely favourite movie of all time. I will never get sick of it! Someday, I hope to receive a bouquet of sharpened pencils. 🙂

  5. One I have watched quite a number of times is She's the Man. It's just a fun movie that makes me laugh every time I watch it!

  6. Despite it being a "kids" movie, I absolutely LOVE the movie "Finding Nemo." It always, without a doubt makes, me smile whenever I watch it (and you should've seen me on the Finding Nemo ride at Disney World. I was like a kid in a candy store…). Plus, I cannot wait until it gets released in 3D next year! 🙂

  7. My Favorite would probably be Despicable Me because no matter how many times I watch it I laugh sooo hard!

  8. I would watch Princess Diaries because it makes me laugh and I love the minor characters. But maybe I would get sick of it after 50 times. I can already quote large segments.

  11. Only one?! Ha! 😀 In this order: 1) While You Were Sleeping -it never ever ever gets old! 2) Sleepless in Seattle -Meg Ryan's character reminds me so much of myself! and 3) Pride and Prejudice. Mr. Darcy kills me every. single. time.

  13. The Princess Diaries. I love the whole fairy tale romance aspect. And of course the end when Michael asks, "Why me?" and Mia says, "Because you saw me when I was invisible." Ahhh, gets me every time!

    Holly
    oceandreamerfla(at)aol(dot)com

  15. My favorite movie is "While You Were Sleeping" Although my top 100 movies are *very* close together 🙂 The reason is simple *cough* Bill Pullman *cough* 🙂 Actually I just love how sweet it is, and funny!

  16. I could watch "Penelope" over and over and over and never get tired of it! It's heartbreakingly beautiful and it's definitely my favorite movie 🙂

  17. I can't enter but just wanted to comment 🙂 If I had to watch the same movie 5o times in a row it would be any of the following: Lemonade Mouth- the music is good so I would be able to sing along to it, It's Kind Of A Funny Story- love the story line and charcters and finally Monte Carlo- the clothes are amazing in that film and it has cute guys who can argue with that?!

  18. Well, I live in Australia but I wanted to answer anyway! It would have to be a toss up between Pride and Prejudice and A Walk to remember. A walk to remember makes me cry everytime (I'm such a girl 🙂 and Pride and Prejudice is just the perfect "romance" movie out there. It always sets me dreaming….. 🙂

  20. Definitely 8 seconds. Its a great story of life and love. Plus its based on a true story. Makes me cry. Can't wait to read Betsy's new book in January!

  21. I would have to say She's the Man, althought The Princess Bride is a very close second. I tink She's the Man is HILARIOUS, and I cry with laughter every time I watch it. Usually when I watch a movie, I am needing to relax, and there is no better way to relax than laughter!

  23. Definitely Letters to Juliet. Every time I finish watching it I just want to start it over and watch it again! Besides the Tuscan scenery is gorgeous!

  24. I love Sleepless in Seattle and The Princess Bride, I think I could watch both of those over and over again without getting tired of them! 🙂

  25. My favorite movie would have to be Beauty and the Beast. The movie never gets old no matter how many times you watch it. There is just something amazing about Classic Disney movies

  27. As soon as I read the comment question I immediately thought of My Big Fat Greek Wedding! I absolutely love that movie and I have probably seen it way more than 50 times. And I just want to say that I love Betsy St. Amant and I read her blog all the time, but I have actually never read one of her books but I hope to change that soon!

  29. I can't just pick one lol! There's Kate & Leopold-Hugh Jackman is just so adorable in that movie :p. The Princess Bride. Oh While you were Sleeping is awesome to.

  30. Breakfast at Tiffany's. Totally, 100%! I adore Audrey Heburn. Even though Holly Golightly doesn't have the best "job" ever, it's still a fabulous love story. Classic!!! 🙂

  31. I have been obsessed with the BBC version of Emma from last year. I have watched it at least once or twice a month since I bought the movie. Mr. Knightley FTW!

  32. I could watch Return to Me over and over again! It makes me laugh every time, the romance is adorable, and I love the characters. 🙂

  33. I have two!!! First would probably be You've Got Mail… so witty and adorable. I would love to own a little children't bookstore like that. AND… Julie & Julia is such a fave cause it is all about FOOD!!!!

  34. That is a hard one! My favorite movies are usually chick flicks. 🙂 I'd probably choose "Princess Diaries" since I have seen it so many times anyways.

  35. A lot of great movies listed here!
    This is hard to answer, I'm going to have to say either "steel magnolias" or "my best friends wedding"

  41. Elf! It is such a funny and cute movie. I could watch it over and over again, especially with the holiday season coming up.

  43. Definitely the Princess Diaries, but the second one. I love the relationship that happens. Or the Princess Bride. There are a lot of good jokes in that one.

  45. I could watch is called Come What May. It an independant christin film and it promotes purity and justice 🙂 It's awesome!!! 🙂

  47. As for fairly modern movies–While You Were Sleeping. Love, love, love a story where a deserving person gets a really happy ending! If I'm in an oldie mood, The Sound of Music . . . Maria gave everyone a happy ending in that one too!

  50. Okay all you who commented above me movie night my house this Saturday! Don't I wish that was possible, I love that we all like family friendly Disney movies and romantic comedies. My husband wants me to enjoy Lord of the Rings, Matrix, Bourne, and Star Wars… but give me Julia Roberts and Richard Gere in Runaway Bride or Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan in You've Got Mail 50 times over and I would be happy.

  52. I would watch the live action Peter Pan with Jason Isaacs as Hook. 🙂

    Loved this interview, Erynn! Thanks for the insight and encouragement, Betsy!

  53. I would watch 10 Things I hate about you. That movie combines my all-time favorite actor, Heath Ledger, with feminist grrrrl attitude. What isn't to love?

  54. My first response to that was Pride and Prejudice…although since so many others have picked the same movie, I'm feeling the urge to be different, ha. My second choice would probably be The Sound of Music.

  55. A Walk to Remember. Love this movie. First time I watched it I was like 12 or 13 and was spending the night at my aunt's house. The next morning I got up and begged to watch it again. After that I would watch it whenever I could. My family had to hide the movie. Eventually I just brought my own copy of the movie and book. 😉 It's such a great movie. Romance, tons of faith, a cute, but realistic hero, and singing. What else could I need? 🙂

  56. Ooh, I'd have to say Pride and Prejudice. I almost have watched it 50 times in a row! Lol;) It's a great girlie movie that I love to watch with my sisters and friends – but not with people who don't know when its time to talk, and when it's time to be quiet and listen to Mr. Darcy! Haha of course there are other favorite movies too, such at Soul Surfer and Little Women, but I'll just stick with this one:)

    -Madison Akins

  57. Pride & Prejudice (A&E version) – love it!! We watch it several times a year. Runner up movie would be How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days.

  58. First of all, Pride and Prejudice (the A&E one) is the best movie of all time! I LOVE that movie! But I also have probably watched Princess Diaries a million times, and I love Sweet Home Alabama. And She's the Man! 😀
    And I have written down all those movies listed that I haven't watched and am so stoked to watch them! 😀
    And I love your books, Erynn!
    Oh, but I'm from Canada and can't be in the contest…

  60. It would have to be Pride & Prejudice! It doesn't matter if it is one of the mini-series versions or the newest movie. I love them all! I could spend everyday with Mr. Darcy and be a very happy person!

  63. Pride and Prejudice. Dfinitely the A & E. Elizabeth Bennet is such a good example of a gracious & witty woman.

  65. Either The Holiday or The Preacher's Wife. I love the clothes, scenery, and especially Jack Black in the The Holiday, and I love the music, the family feel, the winter scenes, and Whitney Houston's hair in The Preacher's Wife.

  66. My absolute favorite movie of all time is Newsies!!! I have watched it several times in a row! I love the history and of course the music!!!

    nmoon73 at gmail dot com

  67. If I had to watch the same movie 50 times in a row, I would definitely choose Enchanted! It has such a fun storyline and catchy music, not to mention it makes me laugh no matter how many times I've seen it 🙂

  68. Tangled! And I HAVE watched it 50 times in a row. Because it's my little sisters favorite movie and it's the only way to keep her quite when she is sick.

  69. The Proposal is my current laugh out loud favorite – which is reason enough to watch it 50 times (I'm probably halfway there already, though not all in a row). Laughter is good and I'll take all I can get! ;D

  72. Hmm…one movie, eh? I think I'll go with 27 Dresses 🙂 It gets me every time. I'm excited for more books by Betsy, I've enjoyed her works in the past 🙂

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