A Writing Journey Interview with Colleen Hall

I'm back with another awesome interview, and today on the blog I'm chatting with Colleen Hall to find out more about her journey to publication! 

Colleen Hall wrote her first story in third grade and wrote as a hobby all during her growing-up years. In her historical books she was able to combine her love of writing with her love of history. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her husband, horseback riding, reading, and browsing antique stores. She lives in South Carolina with her husband and family, two horses and two spoiled cats.
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Della Hughes longs for adventure and for freedom from the strictness and austerity of 1870s Boston society. When her uncle and guardian, General Clint Logan, uses his fortune to purchase property in Colorado and set up a horse ranch selling remounts to the western army, Della decides she must accompany him and his family to the West. Along the journey, Della encounters more adventure than she bargained for.

Rustlers, Indians, and rattlesnakes add danger to the trek. A persistent cavalry captain who believes Della would make him the perfect wife and a Cheyenne chieftain’s son who tells her she’s brought sunshine to his heart complicate her life. And the handsome army scout who ramrods their wagon train guards a secret from his past that makes him believe he’s not worthy of loving Della. She must meet the challenges of the West and convince the man of her heart that love is worth risking everything to gain.
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THE INTERVIEW... 
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Who are you and what do you write?

My name is Colleen Hall, and I write Historical Inspirational Romance.

Where and when and how did the writing life begin for you?

My mother tells me that I wrote my first story when I was in third grade. I’ve been writing ever since. During my grammar school and junior high years I wrote mystery stories in installments, one per day, and then my friends would read the latest episode on the bus coming home from school. I wrote novels all through high school just for the love of writing. I picked my writing up again after college. I think I would rather write than eat!

How has the journey to this point been? Can you give us a basic rundown?

In spite of my love of writing, I got off to a slow start. I didn’t know any other writers, I didn’t know writing procedure, or writing terms. I discovered the Writers’ Market after I was married and started poring over that. A few years later, I learned about the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference and attended the conference that year. My eyes were opened to the writing world, but with young children at home, writing had to go on hold. When the children had left the nest I had time to go back to my writing. I pulled out a manuscript that I’d written years before, reworked it, and googled “Christian publishers that take new writers.” One of those publishers that fit that criteria and matched my manuscript was Anaiah Press. I followed their guidelines and submitted what they requested, and now I have two books published by Anaiah.

What's been the hardest part of your writing/publishing experience so far?

The hardest part of my writing/publishing experience so far was editing my first book. So much of it needed to be reworked. I got very discouraged during the process and almost vowed never to write another book. And the most enjoyable? I love creating characters and watching them come to life. And I love polishing my manuscripts once I’ve written the rough draft.

Would you go back and change anything?

I wish I’d learned more about plotting a manuscript, point of view,  character arcs and pinch points before I submitted my first manuscript. It would have saved a lot of agonizing during the editing process.

Where would you like to be in 5 years time? And 10? Or, what are your plans for the future?

I would like to get to a position where I could quit my job and write full time, not just in the evenings after supper is over and the kitchen is cleaned up.

What's one piece of advice you'd give to new writers just starting out?

Don’t give up no matter how many rejections you get and educate yourself about the writing process. Be careful of who you let critique your manuscript.

And now for the important bit...

Ketchup or Mayo? Mayo
Night or Day? Definitely day!!!
Inside or Outside? I love being outside if it’s not too hot or too cold. Otherwise, inside is just fine.
Dogs or Cats? Cats
Twitter or Facebook? Facebook
Ebook or Paperback? Paperback
Sun or Rain? Sunshine!!!
Keyboard or Pencil & Notebook? Keyboard
Comedy or Drama? Drama
Chips or Chocolate? Definitely chocolate!