Book Giveaway Drawing! Read the details later in this post.
Anne Mateer always longed to be a writer of historical fiction. After ten years of studying and practicing the craft of writing, she received her first publishing contract. With Wings of a Dream, Anne combines her love of history and research with her love of story. She and her husband have launched two children into college life, leaving only one remaining in their Texas nest.
Janalyn: Welcome Anne! What brings you to Book Readers Central?
Anne: I love to connect with readers, and since this is my first published novel, I wanted a chance to be able to tell a little about myself and my book. If you are like me, you are very choosy about what you read and when a new author pops on the scene you like to know a little about her before taking a chance with her book!
Janalyn: What type of books do you write?
Anne: I write historical fiction set in the years just before and during WWI. My books definitely have a thread of romance, but they are not primarily romances.
Janalyn: Why do you write?
Anne: I write because that is how I have always processed things in my life. I write fiction because I personally learn best through story. I write historical fiction because I love history.
Janalyn: How would you describe your newest release?
Anne: It is a coming of age story of sorts about a young woman on the cusp of beginning her “real” life when the Spanish Flu sweeps in and changes everything. It’s a story about expectations and what it means to dream.
Janalyn: What do you hope the reader takes away after reading it?
Anne: I would hope the reader takes away a sense of the goodness of God even in the midst of seeming disaster–how when we trust ourselves to Him, He can reshape our dreams into aspirations we never imagined for ourselves.
Janalyn: Which is your favorite character from your book?
Anne: My favorite character is Sheriff Jeffries–mainly because I felt sorry for him in the end!
Janalyn: Do you have a funny or touching story that relates to your book?
Anne: This story is loosely based on my great-grandparents story, so it has a very special place in my heart. I first began noodling on it when my grandmother passed away in January of 2000, but it took 9 more years to really define the characters and the story line so that they made a coherent book.
Janalyn: Tell us about your writing process.
Anne: When I write a first draft, I try to write very quickly. It usually ends up a 50,000 word outline! (Can you tell I’m a seat of the pants writer!) Then I plunge into revisions. After making sense of my first draft mess, I hand the book to my wonderful critique group. With their suggestions and changes in mind, I revise again. Then I send it off. Of course after that my editor has more revisions for me to do!
Janalyn: What will you write next?
Anne: My second novel is set in 1916 and involves a girl with a heart for missions and a need for speed. Are you intrigued?
Janalyn: Which books do you recommend to readers?
Anne: I have a whole host of authors whose books I recommend, including (but not limited to!) Mary DeMuth, Maureen Lang, Laurie Alice Eakes, MaryLu Tyndall, Liz Curtis Higgs, Susan Meissner, Karen Witemeyer, Jody Hedlund, Lisa Samson and so many more!
Janalyn: Where can readers find you online?
Anne: I blog at www.annemateer.com, but I can also be found on twitter (@annemateer) and facebook (www.facebook.com/annemateer). Come by for a visit!
Book Giveaway Drawing:
Anne Mateer has agreed to give away a free copy of Wings of a Dream. To enter, leave a comment to this post. If you are a follower of Novel Books and tell me so in a separate comment, I’ll give you an extra chance to win.
Entries will be accepted until this coming Thursday at midnight (Pacific Time/US).
I’ll announce the winner on Novel Books on Saturday. The winner must respond within two weeks of notification. Detailed rules of giveaways on Novel Books are located in the footer of this blog.
) This site would be nothing without dedicated readers like you. } – 
I am a follower, and love to read this sort of book.
I follow novelbooks.com, too.
I am a follower of Janalyn’s blog. Thank you for another chance!
Blessings,
Kelly
Missions and Speed?? Sounds intriguing in your next book. I don’t really picture those two words together much. Congratulations on your first book, “Wings of a Dream”!! Thank you for the chance to win!
Blessings,
Kelly Y in Virginia
Thanks for stopping by, y’all! Glad the story intrigues you!
Forgot to say I’m a follower.
I, too, learn history by stories. Makes it SO much more interesting. And I love WWII stories. Please enter me for this giveaway. Thanks!
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com
I really appreciate historical fiction that is based on family history. I had a literature teacher from Ireland once who lost his parents and all his brother and sisters to flu in the same time period. It is hard for me to imagine how great a loss that was for him.
P.S. I noticed that we share a lot of same favorite authors!
Please enter me for this giveaway.
It seems as though Anna Mateer is a dream of a writer. Her historical fictions sounds great. I sense her book Wings of a Dream would be a delight to read. Please enter me in the giveaway.