posted on September 12, 2013 by Debra Clopton

The Story Behind The Story of AN EVER AFTER SUMMER

aneveraftersummer1.  Tell us a bit about the story behind your latest novel. Where did your inspiration spark from?

When my agent came up with the idea of me joining up with Mary, Margaret and Robin Lee I was intrigued and very excited to work with these 3 wonderful women, but I had never written a historical so I was a bit nervous. And then I just couldn’t come up with an idea that I felt was good enough to stand beside theirs! I kept tossing all of my ideas out the window. I decided to look at popular names from the 1870’s. I found a list of names on the internet saved it to my computer and headed out the door to the airport. We were in air when I began scanning the names. I saw Eldora first and then the name Melvina – instantly the opening line to the story hit me like a brick! A born killer, Melvina Eldora Smith killed three people before the age of one! Immediately I was hooked and I felt readers would be too. I had to know who Melvina Eldora had killed – after all she was only one! And so my story AN EVER AFTER SUMMER was born. Within moments, with my husband chuckling beside me as he watched the words appearing on screen—he does that often, I had the three paragraph book idea created and couldn’t wait to write the tale. AN EVER AFTER SUMMER is a fun, touching story with plenty of spunk and sparks flying off the page. The reviews have been great and I’ve been so pleased at the response the collection has received that I’m thrilled to offer the novella as a stand alone now. But I highly recommend all 4 of the stories in the Bride For All Seasons Collection.

2.  How long did your book take you to write?

About a month, once I started.

3.  How long was the editing/publishing process?

Not long at all, I was very blessed that the story flowed so well the editors didn’t feel it needed too much editing. Of course all together we knew from delivery date to pub date would be a year.

4.  Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

My advice is to not give up if you truly feel writing is your calling. If that is so, then write, find the time and get a book done. Be diligent in honing the talent God gave you and be prepared to persevere if that’s His plan for you and be ready and prepared for His timing. I always say that I’m so glad I hung in there and didn’t quit, because if I had given up in my timing I would have missed out on God’s timing and all of the fun I’m having.

Debra Clopton photo5.  What’s your next book or project?

HER UNEXPECTED COWBOY, Book 2 of my Cowboys of Sunrise Ranch series for Love Inspired will be on shelves Jan 2014. Now, I’m working on a new novella in my Mule Hollow Series that will come out with Zondervan in August called, AN AUGUST BRIDE. I’m also just finishing up my next novella with Thomas Nelson as once again, I’m teaming up with Mary, Margaret, and Robin on a second 1870’s set anthology! We are so excited. It will be an Unlikely Bride Collection titled FOUR WEDDINGS AND A KISS. And I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be working on a new contemporary series for Thomas Nelson set in Wishing Springs, Texas – It’s going to be an exciting and very busy year!

debraclopton.com

Debra Clopton

Debra Clopton

Debra Clopton is a USA Today and International bestselling author who has sold over 3.5 million books. She has published over 81 books under her name and her pen name of Hope Moore. Under both names she writes clean, wholesome, and inspirational small town romances, especially with cowboys, but also loves to sweep readers away with romance set on beautiful beaches surrounded by topaz water and romantic sunsets. She recently launched the Star Gazer Inn on Corpus Christi Bay series, her first wholesome women's fiction romance series that combines her love of cowboys and beaches. Debra is a multiple award-winning author, but it is the praise from her readers she values most. If she can make someone smile and forget their worries for a few hours (or days when binge reading one of her series) then she's done her job and her heart is happy. She really loves hearing she kept a reader from doing the dishes or sleeping! In 2016 she decided to take control of her publishing career and opened her own publishing company. Her books now sell worldwide and are regulars on bestseller lists in the United States and around the world. A sixth-generation Texan, Debra lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband surrounded by cattle, deer, very busy squirrels and hole digging wild hogs. She enjoys traveling and spending time with her family. Visit Debra's website and sign up for her newsletters and updates at debraclopton.com. Check out her Facebook page, follow her on Instagram, or contact her at [email protected]

https://debraclopton.com

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Latest from our Blog

Mahoney & Squire – Military Women’s Fiction – Meet The Characters

Have you met the men and women of Mahoney & Squire, my high-stakes, high-octane military action adventure series? Let me introduce you! Captain Kathryn “Kate” Mahoney, USN Call Sign “Scarlett” Ambitious, strong-willed, patriotic, and assertive, Kate Mahoney is often derided as a “bitch” by the old school naval aviation community. She struggled through dysfunctional relationships,… Read More

Read More