Monday, August 25, 2014

~ A Chat With Wanda ~


Thrilled to welcome another new writer to The Author's Table.
Hi Wanda, pull up a chair.


 Wanda, this is your first published novel, tell us a little about your writing journey. 

I started Beyond The Horizon during National Novel Writing Month in 2009. Long time ago, right? In 2011 I worked on revisions so I could pitch it to an agent at ORACON. That agent asked for a full and I thought I had it made. But, as we all know, publishing is a fickle mistress. The editor left, the company sold, and my manuscript came back six months later. After I picked myself up off the floor, I started the query process again. After 12 rejection letters, a writer friend told me Breathless Press wanted to see NaNo novels. That was last fall. They accepted it after yet another revision and the rest, they say, is history.


 Tell me how Katie and Josh's story was born.

Their story came to me as I watched my own daughter struggle with an abusive relationship. Unable to help her, I decided to write a story showing a woman escaping that situation and finding a happily ever after ending. It's the story I wish for my daughter. 

What a beautiful thought, Wanda. I felt as I was reading your book that somehow you had a personal connection with the storyline. If only we could write the happily ever after endings for all of those we love. 



Check out the sexy cover:

Back of the Book:
Katie and Josh, both desperately seeking redemption from their past, discover passion in each other's arms. With danger just around the corner, will love survive?


When Katie Sullivan makes the hasty decision to run away from an abusive relationship, she has no clue what is ahead of her. She only knows it has to be better than her life up to now. Her boyfriend is a powerful drug dealer who will stop at nothing to get her back. She knows too much. Car trouble leaves her stranded in the middle of Kansas, with little money, and a growing fear of failure.  
Widower Josh Warner works and lives on an elderly couples’ farm. He juggles the responsibilities of raising his young son and his passion for the rodeo. Unable to let go of his deceased wife’s memory and on the rebound from a misguided affair, he has no desire for another relationship. But, when Katie appears out of nowhere, everything changes.
Against all reason, Katie and Josh find themselves drawn to each other. If the past catches up to them, their newfound passion, and their lives could be in jeopardy. Can their love win against the evil headed their way?



 Here's a little sneak peak

Josh had his back turned to Katie as she approached. Sneaking up she reached around him and put her hands over his eyes.
"Cindy, stop, I don't have time for your games."
Katie lowered her hands and crossed her arms over her chest.
Josh turned around. His lips, stretched tight over his mouth, showed his annoyance.
"Hey," he grinned and reached for her.
She stepped back. His hand got a fist full of air.
"Who's Cindy?"           
"What?"
"You called me Cindy just now."
"I did?"
"Yes, you did."
"Oh, Cindy." He turned his back to her and adjusted Spirit's saddle. "She's just a barrel racer on the circuit."
Josh looked at her over his shoulder. "Where are Betsy and Bud?"
Katie sensed he wasn't telling her something, but decided to let it go for now. Maybe she would ask Betsy later about this Cindy person.
"They're getting our tickets and seats. They told me to wish you good luck."
"I need all of that I can get."
Katie looked around. "Where's Chad?"
"He's working."
"Working?"
Josh turned around and propped one leg up on the trailer. He adjusted his jeans over his boot before answering.
"Yeah; he helps take care of the livestock."
"Is that safe?" Katie surprised herself with the concern she felt for the boy.
"No need to worry. The guys watch out for him and don't let him around the bulls. Mainly Chad just feeds and waters the calves and steers, and cleans their pens. He loves it and he earns a little spending money too. I made him open a savings account for his college fund with part of it. He's saved quite a bit already."
"That's great," Katie said. An awkward silence fell between them.
"Well, uh, I need to finish getting ready."
"Oh, of course, and I need to find Bud and Betsy. I just wanted to wish you good luck."
"Thanks, I appreciate it."
"Even if I'm not Cindy?" Katie couldn't help the jab as she turned to go. He reached out and this time successfully grabbed her hand.
"I'm glad you're here." He tried to pull her to him, but she resisted. Katie squeezed his hand and let go.
"I guess I'll see you later." Katie searched his eyes for any kind of clue as to how he felt about her, but she couldn't tell. This Cindy person had somehow stepped between them.

Want more?
Purchase 'Beyond The Horizon' here:


Author Bio
Wanda Kay Fittro lives in the beautiful Ozark Mountains in Southwest Missouri. Born and raised in a small town community, gave her an appreciation for that lifestyle, and provides the inspiration for her novels. A love affair with books started early on while reading Nancy Drew by flashlight under the bed covers. She won the prestigious Missouri Literary Festival Reader's Choice award in 2011 for her Civil War short story One, Two, Three.

You can find and follow her at:


Who doesn't love a cowboy? 
Not this girl. 
And you will too, once you sink your teeth into Wanda's debut novel
 'Beyond the Horizon'

Here's wishing you all the best Wanda 
Thanks for stopping by.






Saturday, August 16, 2014

~Retreat ~



I'm not talking about sounding the alarm and running for the hills. I'm talking about taking a moment. A day or two to step away from the busyness, the noise, the things that pull you this way and that. I've been on retreat to Conception Abbey north of St. Louis a couple of times, each time I've left renewed. Filled up again, where I had been depleted. Whenever I have a quiet moment to hear myself think, I find that
poetry spills out of the cracks and crevices that were stuffed with busyness from my work week.

 My times at Conception Abbey are no exception. I loved the fact that I was just left alone. To come and go at my leisure. No schedule, no meetings, no groups to attend. My days were my own to fill up or... NOT.
It was my choice.

I love Gregorian Chant. Something about it immediately soothes me. You know the old saying
 "Music tames the wild beast." That's me.


 "Gregorian chant is how the soul sings." 


The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.
Borrowed from Conception Abbey's website.

Here's one of the little poems I wrote during one of my stays. 


The low moan of the monks alerts me
to the sacred parade. 
Heads bowed
 intent on the task at hand 
they file in like a whisper
oblivious to my comings and goings.

Voices rise and fall
and I move with the old world rhythm
as my soul recognizes 
the familiar call 

Ancient supplications
wrapped in sing-song cadence
soar to the rafters 
then settle in the stone walls
and the hallowed halls
where thousands of prayers 
have lived for years.

My breathing slows 
my heartbeat quiets
the plaintive voices beckon
and I remember
who I am.




My days have been extremely hectic as of late
and I find myself thinking that
 to retreat is a good thing !!

How about you???






Monday, August 11, 2014

~ What the H ... ~



I've been wearing a lot of hats lately as I prepare my book for the world.
While holed up for months on end in my little writers corner , I am ruled by the creative side of the brain. 
Months upon months are spent happily hammering out the next blockbuster for the literary world, 
( insert laughter here)
  and during that time I wear only ONE hat. 

This is my creative hat....it really gets the juices flowing. 


 Too much?


But as soon as the manuscript is completed, it's time to start the old hat switcharoo.
It's time to put on the business hat and let the other side of the brain take over.
Although the business hat is not just one hat but...Many.
Sometimes I feel like this guy

Whew !!!! Look at me Go !!!


The business side of things is a whole other world.
It requires constantly being plugged into the market and learning on the fly.
 In this biz, things change almost daily. 
And even for Wonder Woman, that's a lot of hats for one person.


Not exactly my comfort zone.
When mostly all I want to do is.....
WRITE !!

Thankfully there is much that can and SHOULD be contracted out:
Cover Design
Professional Editing
Formatting
(but I still have to do all the research and FIND these masters of their domains)
I am lucky indeed, to have found such great people to work with along the way.

Speaking of hats....

What the H.. (hat) ???

Oh my

Let's get back on track here, shall we?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining.
Not one little bit. 
Because along with all the responsibility comes all the rewards!!!
I firmly believe that this is the greatest time in history to be a writer.

Is it worth it?



You bet.