Friday, July 4, 2014

Cecelia Dowdy: When Faith, God and Scripture Direct One's Writing

Everyone's Story warmly welcomes author Cecelia Dowdy. Before I had the pleasure of meeting Cecelia at last summer's Greater Philadelphia Christian Writer's Conference, I saw her name a lot during my RWA days so it was exciting to finally encounter the lovely woman behind the smiling photograph. Cecelia is an author who loves to create stories about love and second chances, trials and hopes I'm sure many can relate to. Check out Cecelia's words on how she'd become an inspirational romance author, her Giveaway offer, and her interview. We're both looking forward to hearing from you.


Book Giveaway:
Cecelia is offering one copy  of her 3-in-1 (3 stories in 1 package) novel CHESAPEAKE WEDDINGS to one randomly chosen commenter. The winner will be announced here on Friday, July 11th, between 5-6 PM EST. For convenience, please leave your contact information within your comment. Thanks!


Blurb for CHESAPEAKE WEDDINGS:
Relax along Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay as you read about three strong African American women who suddenly face upheaval in life. Monica is caring for her abandoned blind nephew and trying to pick the proper tutor for him. Emily is struggling to save the family farm when a CPA turns up to do an audit. Karen has been deceived by her fiancé, and now she’s expected to trust a neighbor who knows too much of her business. Can God rebuild their tattered lives with new loves?


My Journey To Publication by Cecelia Dowdy

When I first started writing, almost two decades ago, inspirational romance was not a very common genre. As a matter of fact, there was not a lot of inspirational fiction available back then. Initially, I was not a part of any writers group or organization. One day, I was on my lunch break, and I didn’t have a book to read. I pulled out a pad of paper and a pen and I started writing. I’ve been writing ever since. I took one of my proposals and sent it to a freelance editor. In her edits, she asked if my book was an inspirational romance. Unfamiliar with the term, I researched it and my world was opened up into this fairly new genre of fiction.

Courtesy Google Images
I decided to focus on inspirational romance because my secular novels had an inspirational slant. I spoke about faith, God and scripture – I was writing an inspirational romance without realizing that’s what I was doing!

I then discovered Romance Writers of America and I joined their inspirational chapter, Faith Hope and Love. By attending their annual conference, and the local meetings, fellowshipping with other writers, I was able to make my first sale through a unique deal with Doubleday’s Crossings book Club. My acquaintance with another Christian fiction author helped me to land the sale. I later joined American Christian Fiction Writers, and I continue to be a member of both groups.

Although I don’t always make the book sales that I want, I still continue to write books that glorify the Lord. I love reading fiction where the characters have a faith journey. I love showing people who struggle with real-life problems, while relying on their faith in God. I enjoy seeing how the inspirational market has mushroomed and exploded, even creating various sub-genres within the Christian fiction sector.

A Few Questions for Cecelia:
You enjoy reading both secular and Christian fiction, but what is it about Christian fiction that keeps calling upon you to write it? 

I like reading the faith element in Christian fiction. Christian fiction shows how we need to lean on God during our troubled times.

Who is your reading audience? Who do you hope your novels will reach in the future?

Since I write Christian romance, I believe that my reading audience is Christian women. I’d like my stories to be translated into different languages and be available to people over the world.

Is there any one writing tip that you’d like to share that had proved instrumental in getting your first story published?

Attend writers’ conferences and fellowship with other writers. I found the connections made at writers’ conferences to be invaluable.

For fun: if you had all the time to spare and without worries, which 3 novels would you reread and why?

Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides – no, this is not Christian fiction, but, this story was amazing!

The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins – very dark stories, but, written in a way that I could imagine the story really happening.

The Wool series by Hugh Howey – again, this is not Christian fiction, but, I loved reading about the people living underground. It was written in a way that made me believe that it could really happen!

Cecelia's Ah-hahs To Tweet:
Meet Cecelia Dowdy: An author concerned more about glorifying God than book sales. (Tweet This)

Love heartwarming, Christian romance? Win #BookGiveaway by Cecelia Dowdy. #ChristianFiction (Tweet This)

Everyone has a story: Cecelia Dowdy on road to #ChristianFiction publication. (Tweet This)

Author's Bio:
Cecelia Dowdy is a world traveler who has been an avid reader for as long as she can remember. When she first read Christian fiction, she felt called to write for the genre. She loves to read, write, and bake desserts in her spare time. Cecelia loves to help other authors and she runs a fairly popular book review blog entitled Cecelia’s Christian Fiction Blog. Cecelia currently resides with her husband and her young son in Maryland.


Places to connect with Cecelia:


52 comments:

  1. Thank you for introducing me to this author. I love these 3-in-1 books. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
    susanmsj at msn dot com

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thanks for your visit on this holiday day, Susan. Yes, 3-in-1 books are lots of fun!

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    2. Hi, Susan
      Thanks for stopping by Elaine's blog and for leaving a comment! I love 3-in-1 books, too! I've been a fan of Barbour's 3-in-1 collections for years!

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  2. AnonymousJuly 04, 2014

    Another fun interview and a chance to get to know another author. Love the 3-in-1 books also. Thanks for the chance to win.

    Ann Ellison
    abilene_nana@yahoo.com

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    Replies
    1. A Happy 4th to you Ann. Always a pleasure when you visit.

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    2. I'm glad you stopped by Ann, and I'm thrilled that you entered the drawing! I also appreciate your taking time to read my interview! That means a lot to me! Have a great holiday weekend!

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  3. I have seen Cecelia around but have not read her books.
    I would love a chance to win. Thank you
    moma3homeschool (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michelle, welcome to Everyone's Story. Glad you visited. Do check back later for Cecelia's reply.

      Hope to see you again.

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    2. Hey, Michelle!

      I've seen you around, too! I recognize your email addy! Glad you stopped by and entered the drawing!

      Delete
    3. Hi Cecelia!

      Thank you for the recognition.
      I recently began blogging, again.
      I have you listed on my blogroll :)

      Delete
  4. Great interview! The three stories sound like something I'd like to read. Enjoyed meeting a new author!

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    1. Thanks for visiting this holiday weekend, Pat. Wishing you great days ahead.

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    2. Hi Patricia!

      I love being introduced to new authors, too! Isn't it fun? Thanks for entering the drawing and thanks for reading my interview!

      Delete
  5. Hello dear friend. I am happy to read about your book. When I last saw that book I did not realize it was you. I would love to win and review it. (Jane) jrs362 at Hotmail dot com

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    Replies
    1. Welcome to this little but growing corner of the world, Jane. You're in the drawing!

      Hope to see you again.

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    2. Hi, Jane!

      Nice to "see" you again! You're a familiar name and I know we've spoken online before! Glad you entered the drawing for my book! Have a wonderful holiday weekend! :-)

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  6. Hi Cecelia!!!! Love the story of your discovery of inspirational romance. Mine was similar in that....I was writing books for that market before I knew the market existed!

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    Replies
    1. Mary, nice to see you again. I'm thrilled you visited during this holiday weekend.

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    2. Hey, Mary! :-)

      Nice to "see" you again! Yes, it is strange to be writing books for a market that you didn't even know existed. I guess it's just another mysterious way that the Lord impacts our lives!

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  7. Dear Cecelia,
    What a wonderful interview!
    I read your book two years ago and loved it!
    Unfortunately, I cannot find my copy of your book. So if I do not win this free book giveaway, would you please e-mail me (alexis@alexisagoring.com) so we can figure out how I can buy a copy or two of your book? I cannot find it in bookstores or online and really need to buy another copy as a gift.

    God bless you and your writing ministry! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Welcome, Alexis, to Everyone's Story. I think I can see Cecelia's smile from here due to your lovely words for her.

      Hope to see you again.

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    2. Hi, Alexis! I'm touched that you read and enjoyed my book! I will e-mail you about where you can purchase copies!

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  8. Great interview and I love the 3-in-1 books! I love learning about the states they are set in or the different time periods the stories occur in. Thanks for
    the giveaway!

    seventysevensusieq[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susie, thanks for visiting today. You're in the drawing for Cecelia's Giveaway--the winner will be announced here on Friday evening.

      Hope to see you again.

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    2. Hi, Susie! Thanks for visiting Elaine's blog and for entering the drawing! I love those 3-in-1 books, too! It's nice to read wonderful stories set in different time periods.

      Delete
  9. AnonymousJuly 06, 2014

    Helllo Elaine. And thanks to Cecelia for being here and giving a book away. I like these kinds of books. Please put my name in the drawing.
    Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Maxie! I'm glad you visited again. You're in the drawing. Good luck.

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    2. Hi, Maxie!
      Thanks for entering the giveaway!

      Delete
  10. I enjoyed this interview. I look forward to getting more acquainted with Cecelia and her novels. Thanks for the opportunity to win. rechanjo@yahoo.com

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    Replies
    1. Rose, welcome to Everyone's Story. Thanks for following this blog--much appreciated! I'm glad you enjoyed Cecelia's segment. Do drop by later today for her reply.

      Hope to see you again.

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    2. Thanks for reading my interview, Rose! I hope you have a blessed day!

      Delete
  11. Hi ladies! I loved the interview with Cecelia and would enjoy the opportunity to read her book since I always seem to gravitate to contemporary Christian romance. Imagine that! :) Blessings. jdurgin9587@att.net

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    Replies
    1. A fond hello, JoAnn. Yes, imagine that… that you gravitate toward enjoying a Christian romance novel (wink wink).

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    2. Hi, Joann!

      I love reading contemporary Christian romance, too! Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  12. AnonymousJuly 10, 2014

    I have bought several 3-n-1 books. You get the complete set that way. I loved the interview and please put me in the hat. lynn071@verizon.net. And Blessings to all!

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    Replies
    1. Lynn, thanks for visiting Everyone's Story. You're in the Giveaway drawing! Blessings to you as well.

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    2. Hi, Lynn!

      I'm glad you enjoyed my interview! I love 3-in-1 books, too! It's very convenient to get the complete set!

      Delete
  13. Hi Cecelia! Enjoyed the interview! The book sounds awesome!

    dowelljanet@hotmail.com

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    Replies
    1. Welcome to Everyone's Story, Janet. Romance novels are certainly great stories, full of hope. Glad you enjoyed Cecelia's segment.

      Hope to see you again.

      Delete
    2. Hi, Janet!

      I'm glad that you entered the drawing! Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  14. Nice Celcelia. You continue to impress me. It was gracious of you to host me on your blog a few years ago. You are an asset to God and other Christian authors as well as the Christian community at large. Thank you for your work. Gay N. Lewis. gnlphl2@att.net

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Gay!

      Always nice to "see" my internet friends! Thank you for your kind words! Also, thanks for visiting Elaine's blog and for reading my interview!

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    2. Thanks for visiting, Gay. Wishing you a lovely weekend.

      Delete
  15. AnonymousJuly 11, 2014

    I would love a chance to win 3-in-1 (3 stories in 1 package) novel CHESAPEAKE WEDDINGS!
    I can be contacted at bethanyclark2014@gmail.com!!! I will check back today and see if I won! Cross my fingers!

    Bethany Clark

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Bethany!

      So nice of you to stop by and enter the drawing! I hope you have a blessed weekend!

      Delete
    2. Thanks for visiting Cecelia on Everyone's Story, Bethany. Hope to see you again.

      Delete
  16. I would love to win the 3-in-1 novels, bamaani at yahoo dot comm

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    1. I appreciate the visit, Anita. Take care.

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    2. Thanks for stopping by, Anita!

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  17. What an exciting week it's been on Everyone's Story--a steady flow of comments for guest Cecelia Dowdy! Cecelia, I hope you've enjoyed your time with me and my viewers as much as I've enjoyed hosting you. I do hope you'll consider coming back.

    Thanks for your awesome Giveaway of CHESAPEAKE WEDDINGS. You are about to make one viewer shout with joy. And the winner of Cecelia's book is…

    Bethany! Yea, Bethany! Both Cecelia and I will contact you in direct emails.

    Blessings to all. I truly look forward to seeing you again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey, Elaine! It's been wonderfully fun! Enjoyed seeing friends, both old and new! This was great! Thanks to everybody for participating and for reading my interview!

      Also, thanks to Elaine for hosting me! It's been a blast!

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    2. You're very welcome, Cecelia.

      Delete

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