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Saturday, June 20, 2015

Author Interview with Heather Manning

Hello everyone! Today I'd like to introduce you to a very special author. Heather Manning is now 18 years old, and has just published her second novel!

Bestselling author Heather Manning is a young lady who loves to read—and write. After she won several writing competitions, her first book was professionally published and quickly became an Amazon Bestseller. She is an active member of her local ACFW chapter and lives in Kansas City, Missouri where she attends high school, sees plays, devours do-nuts, and acts in community theatre. You can find Heather on her blog: heathermauthor.blogspot.com.


Welcome Heather! We're so glad you could visit us today.

Thank you so much for having me! I am glad to be here today.


You found your calling very young. Can you tell us a little about your accomplishments so far?

I am very thankful to God for all he has allowed me to accomplish by the age of 18. When I was 16, my first novel, Swept to Sea, was professionally published.

Now, at 18, I have two published novels under my belt, my most recent being Carried Home.



What made you decide to become a writer?


I supposed I always enjoyed creating stories in my head, even if I never truly realized it. Before I knew how to write, I would dictate stories and have my mom or my sister write them down in words. I remember one particular retelling of The Princess and the Pea that I wrote and hand-illustrated. But I don’t think I really considered the possibility of becoming an author until seventh grade or so, when I had an amazing English teacher who really believed in me and encouraged me to write. Before that, I didn’t know people other than my family actually enjoyed what I created. I decided I loved the feeling of creating a world where anything I want can happen and writing it down for others to enjoy.



Where did the inspiration for your latest book come from?

Carried Home came straight from my first book, Swept to Sea. I had always planned on writing a trilogy, so this second novel about another set of characters was right there for me to grab. I loved being able to tell Ivy and Gage’s full stories, especially after I saw readers enjoyed these characters who were only secondary characters in my first novel. From there, I honed in on my character’s weaknesses and decided to force them to face their worst fears, like suddenly becoming captain of a riotous crew or being trapped an ocean away from her beloved young brother.

How does your faith and spirituality work in with your writing?

My faith always plays a big part in my writing, since it is a big part of my life. My characters face struggles regarding their faith, and they overcome them as well, which I hope also helps my readers. I like seeing my characters go on all kinds of journeys across the world as well as spiritually and helping them find the right path to nurture their faith.

What has been the most difficult thing for you as a young author?

Definitely not being taken seriously once people find out my age has been a struggle. Whether it’s fellow teenagers or well-seasoned writers, there are always some people who are not used to someone being published so young, so they respond unexpectedly. Of course, there are many others who are excited about me, and the good far outweighs the bad in this case.

Well, in this case, we're excited for you, Heather. :D What are you working on next?


I’m writing the third novel in my Ladies of the Caribbean series, Tossed Together. For fans of Swept to Sea, this is the story of Aimee and Matthew after they find themselves….you guessed it….tossed together. I am in the middle of the first draft and LOVING this book.




Very interesting. Looks like you have some great stuff going on. Thank you so much for being with us today, Heather. I find your journey to be very inspiring! 

Thank you so much for having me!!!


Hey Ya'll! Leave a comment below to get your name in the drawing for an ebook copy of Heather's new book, Carried Home!!

27 comments:

  1. I'm pleased that you do not see your age as a barrier to your writing. A lovely post thank you.

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    1. Hi Mary!
      I find her determination to accomplish something at such a young age to be inspiring, don't you? Thanks for stopping by!

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    2. Thank you for reading my interview, Mary! I hope that, after hearing about me, other young people see there is no need to feel like their age is a barrier to hinder their writing career. :) Or anything they love doing, for that matter.

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  2. Heather, it's great to meet you! And discover your stories with the sea and ships. I look forward to reading them!

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    1. Don't you just love sea and ship stories? Thanks for stopping by!

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    2. Thanks, Deb! I always love to hear from a person who also likes ships and the sea! :D

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  3. I enjoyed your interview, Heather, and would love to read "Carried Home". Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!!

    bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. So glad you enjoyed the interview, Bonnie! Best wishes in the giveaway.

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    2. You're welcome, Bonnie! Good luck with the giveaway!

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  4. Great interview! Thank you, Amber and Heather!

    I love that you're loving your draft of Tossed Together--a great sign we readers will love it, too!! :)

    I'd be tickled peachy to win a copy of this book.
    nataliedmonk (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Hi Natalie!
      Thanks for stopping by! It's always good to see you. :)
      I've got your name in the drawing. ;)

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    2. Thanks, Natalie! I hope that my readers will love Tossed Together as much as I am right now! :D

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  5. Congratulations on your success so far, and best wishes for continued blessings.
    I think it's very fortunate that your manuscript ended up at Astraea Press / Clean Reads, with a publisher (Stephanie Taylor) who believed in your story and was willing to work with someone so young. I can imagine a lot of doors were shut to a teen.

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. Thanks, Jeff! I love seeing a fellow Astraea Press/Clean Reads person here. Stephanie is awesome! She never even realized I was a teen until I told her because I asked if my parents should sign my contract with me since I was under 18. LOL

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  6. I recently purchased Swept to Sea and love it so far! I would love to win the next book in the series! I think it is great that you love what you are doing and found it as such an early age! Lots more writing to come!

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    1. Thank you for getting Swept to Sea, Rene'! I'm glad you are enjoying it. Thank you!

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  7. I'm always excited to see someone so young be disciplined enough to write a book! Not an easy task. Congratulations on your success!

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    1. Thanks, Patricia! It wasn't easy, but I'm certainly glad I kept at it. :)

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  8. Congratulations Heather! Looking forward to reading this soon I hope! Nancycooks4u(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Thank you, Nancy! I hope you can read Carried Home soon, too! :)

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  9. Cool interview! And congratulations, Heather! That is a seriously amazing accomplishment to be published at sixteen!
    I've read Swept to Sea and I'm really interested to see where the characters go next! Fingers crossed that I win this book! :)


    Alexa
    thessalexa.blogspot.com
    verbositybookreviews.wordpress.com

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  10. Heather, I'm glad to see you're already planning your third novel. Congrats on your success in the book world!

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  11. Lovely to have your gift recognized and fulfilling your call! well done, Heather :)
    and Every cont'd success as you continue !
    faithhopecherrytea at [gmail.] com
    blessings...

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  12. And the winner is...Tarissa! Congratulations! Please contact us with your email address so we can get your prize to you.

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