Today we are interviewing author Miralee Ferrell. Her most recent book, Love Finds You in Bridal Veil, Oregon, is available through Summerside Press.

Miralee Ferrell lives with her husband of 36 years on eleven acres in rural Washington State. They have two dogs, two cats, one horse, and a huge garden that they both enjoy working in, in the spring and summer. Reading, horseback riding with her daughter, sailing with her husband, and puttering in her flower beds are some of Miralee’s favorite pastimes. She serves on staff as a licensed minister (not a pastor) in their small church, ministering to women and leading prayer groups.  She has 3 books out now and another releasing in April, and started writing in the spring of 2005.

Miralee took a few minutes to talk about publishing from a writer’s perspective with Writing Career Coach.

Writing Career Coach: Tell us about your book Love Finds You in Bridal Veil, Oregon.
Miralee Ferrell: Sixteen-year-old Margaret Garvey promised her heart to Nathaniel Cooper the night he disappeared from town. Four years later, just as she’s giving love a second chance with Andrew, a handsome logger, Nathaniel suddenly returns to town with a devastating secret. Margaret risks her reputation and position by harboring two troubled runaways who might be involved in the murder of a local man. As disaster strikes the town and threatens the welfare of its citizens, Margaret will be faced with the most important choice of her life.

WCC: What are some ways you prepared to market your book before you were published?
MF: I put together a web site prior to publication and started talking about The Other Daughter (working title was Yesterday’s Child) even before it was contracted. I built a mailing list of people who signed my guest book and kept in touch with them as the process moved along. Blogs weren’t popular and there was no Facebook, etc., at that time, so most of my marketing was done via email.

WCC: How do you plan and write your book?
MF: I typically start by typing out a brief story summary…maybe three or four paragraphs with a sprinkling of major plot points, including fleshing out the main characters. Sometimes I’ll have a full page with a bit more detail, but I don’t outline or do story boards. My debut novel was totally seat of the pants, but I found I had way too much revising to do and moved to a general overview for the next one. I’d say I’m still about 75% SOTP and 25% plotter….just enough plotting to give me an idea where I’m going, but I allow latitude for the characters to show me what they’d like, as well. I develop most of my secondary plot points and characters as I write.

WCC: What is it like working with editors? Do you have tips for getting along and building a great relationship with them?
MF: I’ve loved every one of my editors, even the tough ones. Sometime ago I had what I thought (at first) was a harsh substantive edit and I wasn’t sure how to take some of the remarks. I set it aside for a couple of days then came back and reread. I discovered that most of the comments were accurate and necessary, and when implemented, made the book stronger. I’ve been blessed with a lot of positive comments and constructive suggestions. I try to always let an editor know how much he/she’s helped me in the rebuilding process. I only question a change if I feel it’s important to the overall story line, or if the editor doesn’t understand my intent. It’s been my experience, that if you treat your editor with respect and keep communication lines open, the editing portion of your publication process goes smoothly. I have three editors now that I count as friends, and have been blessed to meet one of them in person.

WCC: Do you have a tip for finding-and working with-an agent?
MF: I think there are two keys….research and conferences. If you can afford to attend a conference attended by reputable agents, do so. It’s your best place to meet and pitch your project. If you can’t, then get a copy of the Christian Writer’s Market Guide and study the agent listings. Narrow it down to the top 20 you feel might be a good fit for your work, then visit each of their web sites. Study the authors they’ve already signed, the type of work they like to represent, and read their guidelines carefully. Also, pray for a good fit. An agent might represent your genre but not click with you. Ask the Lord to help you find the right one, and send out query letters to several. Above all, follow the guidelines and send only what they request, and be sure it’s polished and ready before sending.

Read more of Miralee’s interview here at Examiner.com and find out how she maintains balance.

Other books by Miralee Ferrell:
The Other Daughter (The Homecoming Series, Book 1)
Love Finds You in Last Chance, California (Love Finds You, Book 5)

 YOU COULD WIN!
Leave a comment on this posting and you could win a copy of Love Finds You in Bridal Veil, Oregon. The drawing will take place on Jan. 15, 2010.  This give away is for US residents only. There is no fee to enter.

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Tiffany Colter is a writer, speaker and writing career coach who works with beginner to published writers. She can be reached through her website at writingcareercoach.com