Interview with Denise Colby: Meet the Author Monday

Interview with Denise Colby: Meet the Author Monday

Welcome to Meet the Author Monday and my interview with Denise Colby. Denise writes historical romance, and her Best Laid Plans series currently includes three titles (though more are on the way). When Plans Go Awry, A Slight Change of Plans, and No Plan at All can each be purchased in paperback and eBook form.

Stick with me after the interview to find out more about where you can connect with Denise and more about  No Plan at All.  For now, let’s welcome Denise M. Colby to Meet the Author Monday.

The Interview

Denise, let’s start off easy. Tell us a little about yourself.

I write historical romance that is sweetened with faith, hope, & love. I love chatting with God daily in my head and writing prayers in a prayer journal. I’m an avid reader of historical romance, Disney fan, wife of thirty years, tap-dancing mom of three boys (now men), one married to the sweetest daughter-in-law. I love getting excited over the little things and sharing all of it with my family. I’m very thankful for the opportunity to write stories that includes faith arcs.

I don’t think I’ve ever known anyone that tap-dances. At least, not that I’m aware of. What a unique hobby. Your faith-sweetened stories are all part of a series. What prompted you to write these stories?

 I would finish reading a really great story and the desire to write one would pop up. It would happen over and over, but I ignored it for a long time. The idea for my first series came to me while visiting Sacramento’s one-room schoolhouse for my oldest son’s fourth grade field trip. I didn’t start writing anything until two years later while on that same trip with my middle son. God was persistent with nudging me to do this. I’m so thankful I listened to his nudging.

Do you give readers glimpses of yourself in the books you write? If so, I’m sure we’d all love to know which parts are more you.

This is an interesting question. I think when I’m writing emotions, I tap into past hurts to help me identify the feelings so I can write them authentically. There’s not anything specific, just an overall understanding of what my characters feel when frustrated, lost, and trying to control things all on their own. Like in my latest book, No Plan at All, Sarah doesn’t want to be a burden. I think I’ve felt that way myself at times. Jenny, the heroine in A Slight Change of Plans, wants to matter. I definitely have felt those fears at some point in my life.

What are the most fun, most feared, and most tedious parts of being an author?

Most fun is when I write a scene that clicks, that ties together a bigger message than I had originally planned to portray. I know then that God is in the midst with me helping me write. I love it when it comes together that way. Hearing from readers about what touched them in my stories is another aspect I love.

For me, what I fear the most would be missing the mark with the story. That it makes no sense and it’s not cohesive and no one likes it. Which is why I love my publisher and my editors who partner with me to make sure it makes sense and is the best it can be.

The most tedious is removing the weasel words which causes me to question my phrasing. There are multiple ways to write a sentence. Figuring out the grammar, the prose, the timing, and it still make sense, but not use the common words we are not supposed to, can sometimes drive me batty. This is why I have a critique group (some of my favorite people) and editors, to give me honest feedback. I need an outsider’s perspective to make sure what I’m trying to say works.

Ah, weasel words. The bane of every writer’s existence. So from what you don’t like to the things you do. Other than writing, what creative pursuits do you enjoy?

I love musicals. I love tap-dancing and choreography. I’ve been a choreographer for local shows and really enjoyed it (even though my body took a beating). I also love photos, scrapbooking, journaling (I have so many different ones), and coloring. Sometimes I need to step away from my desk (day job + writing) and do something tactical.

I think we all need that from time to time. Creativity in a different direction. But in your writing, what resources would you recommend to someone just starting their writing journey?

I highly recommend joining a local writing group and attending conferences. I prefer ones in my genre. Online ones can be the most inexpensive. If you don’t know of any, do an online search for writing groups in your area or email your favorite author (that’s what I did and found a group close by). Finding writers who write in the same genre has been the most helpful for me.

Think of learning the writing craft is like an onion. There are many layers. You can’t absorb everything all at once, so attending sessions continuously helps you build layers on top of what you already know. And we can always learn something new. I took classes where there were assignments. These were helpful because I could apply the lessons to my own writing, then submit it for feedback. Concepts are great, but you must learn how to do them.

My most used book is the Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi. Another one I use is The Complete Guide to Heroes and Heroines by Cowden, LaFever, Viders (I found this first at my library and loved it so much I bought one). The library can be a great place to find writing craft books first before investing in something you are not sure about.

I think the first book you mentioned is on the shelves of many writers. That complete series is great. I’ve not read the other one. I’ll have to check it out. Now that we’ve covered some of your favorite helps, let’s talk discouragement. Have you ever faced discouragement as an author? If so, how did you deal with it?

It took me twelve years to publish my first book. I faced a lot of discouragement. I wanted to quit multiple times. Asked myself ‘why am I doing this?’ just as many times.

I couldn’t of gotten through those moments without a lot of prayer and encouragement from God and from other writers to keep going. Every time I hit a low point, I’d pray. And I would feel God nudging me to keep going. It wasn’t easy at times. When I’d receive not-so-stellar feedback from a contest, I would read through everything and then have to take forty-eight hours (sometimes longer) to digest it all and come back ready to move forward somehow. I found the most helpful feedback was when a judge would provide the concept I was not understanding, then I would find a workshop or class to take on that skill to help me understand and do it better. I wanted instant fixes, but it took a lot of work.

Now I see the payoff. It was worth going through all of that to write better stories, but there were times when I couldn’t see the end of the tunnel to know when things would change. One of my most motivating factors were my kids. I wanted to show them that hard work pays off. To not give up on your dreams. So I encourage all writers out there. Keep going, keep writing. Don’t give up.

I love that you took contest feedback and found the tools to help address those specific issues in your writing. Most writers are also readers. What would your perfect reading nook look like?

By a window, with a comfy chaise lounge and lots of pillows and blankets. Maybe a bookshelf with filled with books I enjoy (although I’d be too conflicted which book to pick next).

On last question about writing preferences, a fun one. Would you rather have to hand-write all your manuscripts or speak them into a recorder?

I think I would handwrite over speaking. At first. But I write slower than my brain, so I might amend that over time.

Connect with Denise

Thank you for joining me today, Denise. I’ve enjoyed this opportunity to get to know you a bit better. Readers, I hope you’ve enjoyed this interview with Denise Colby as well. If you’d like to connect with Denise, here’s where you can do that. Also, feel free to leave questions for Denise in the comments.

LinkTree – https://linktr.ee/denisemcolby

My website – https://denisemcolby.com

Newsletter sign up – https://denisemcolby.com/sign-up-for-my-newsletter/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/denisemcolbywrites

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/denisem.colby/

Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.com/denisemcolby

GoodReads – https://www.goodreads.com/denisemcolby

BookBub Author Page – https://www.bookbub.com/authors/denise-m-colby

Twitter – https://x.com/denisemcolby

AllAuthor Page – https://allauthor.com/author/denisemcolby/

More About the Book

Sometimes the best life is the one we never planned.

Sarah Anne Baker never wanted to be anyone’s burden. But hours after losing the Godmother who raised her, she faces an impossible choice: marry her late fiancé’s brother—or flee into the unknown. With fear as her only companion, she places her trust in the one man leaving town that night—the enigmatic traveling peddler known only as Mr. Smith.

Alexander Sinclair walked away from his noble title in Scotland to live a quiet, hidden life. Peddling wares from town to town has given him peace, free from the weight of expectation. Until a desperate young woman crosses his path. He can’t turn her away… no matter the cost.

Together, Sarah and Alex set out on a journey through loss, healing, and a bond neither expected to find. But as secrets surface and choices demand to be made, both must decide: cling to the lives they planned—or risk everything to embrace the future God has written for them.

A tender tale of courage, redemption, and love strong enough to change the course of two hearts forever.

Purchase No Plan at All