Cara Putman and a Giveaway! - CONTEST CLOSED
27 September 2010
“Well, well, Audra. I do believe you’re ready to take this matter to trial.”
Audra Schaeffer soaked in the atypical praise. While Roger Clarion was a good man and fair boss, he did not toss praise around for any and all to hear. Satisfaction pulsed through her. After seven years of school and two years where the only job she could find after law school required her to serve as a paralegal, Mr. Clarion had given her a chance. If everything went well, she’d litigate her first case in Superior Court Two in one month. A simple case, but it was hers.”
Cara Putman is here this week, and I’m super excited. She’s the first of many authors who will be here to talk about their books, and also how they achieved their dream of getting published.
Not only is Cara a super sweet lady, her latest release, Stars in the Night, a historical romantic suspense set in Hollywood in 1942, looks amazing:
When Audra Schaeffer’s sister disappears in Hollywood, Audra flies there to find her, but has to identify her body instead. Determined to find the killer and bring him to justice, Audra takes a job with the second Hollywood Victory Caravan. Together with Robert Garfield and other stars, she crisscrosses the southern United States as the stars sell war bonds. When Robert’s ex-wife and another woman are found dead on the train, Audra knows the deaths are tied to her sister’s. Is the killer is the man she’s falling in love with? And can she identify the killer before he targets her?
Doesn’t it sound great?
When I said to Cara, “Lots of people have big dreams. What’s something you did to help you achieve your dream of being published?” this was her answer:
Big Dreams are a good thing…they just require a big God and a willingness to dare big. I’m blessed that from the moment I got serious about being published, my husband was 110% behind me. He allowed me to attend ACFW’s annual conference even when I didn’t have a complete manuscript. Colleen Coble had told me I needed to attend, so he never questioned my need to be there. Fortunately, I received my first contract at my second conference, so he didn’t have to wait years to see fruit like so many spouses do.
But I also had to be willing to say that I was going to chase writing. I committed hours every week to writing. I made sure my behind was in a chair, my fingers poised over a keyboard, so that I was in a place where I could reach a point I had stories to take to publishers. I also committed to doing the hard work of improving. One thing I love about writing is that I can get better with each book. That means I take editorial letters seriously and try to learn all I can from my editors with each book.
I’ve been blessed, but I’ve also been very serious about chasing this dream. To anyone else who is thinking about writing fiction, join ACFW, learn all you can, and then commit the time to writing that it requires. Most people don’t have their dreams come true as quickly as I did, but discipline over the long haul will allow you to learn and grow to the point of being ready when God says run!
This is really great advice that Cara has to offer. I especially love how she says she had to be committed to doing the hard work of improving. That’s hard work indeed.
And Cara has definitely seen fruit. Stars in the Night is her ninth novel and tenth book. She’s also an attorney and sometimes lecturer at a Big Ten University, She lives in Indiana with her husband and three children.
She has also graciously offered a free copy of Stars in the Night to one lucky commenter. In your comment, please either ask Cara a question or tell us who your favorite actor/actress is and why. (Contest closes on Friday. U.S. Residents only, please.)
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Comments
My favorites change from time to time, however, my favorite actress right now is Sandra Bullock.
Posted by Cindy Arterburn on 27 September 2010
I don’t need to be entered, as I bought (actually BOUGHT, which is rare for this get-‘em-for-free-reviewer!) this book a while ago—soooo worth it! Just had to stop over to say how wonderful Cara is, how great the book is . . .
And that no one can beat Cary Grant (for actors) and Audrey Hepburn (for actresses). I’m sorry, it’s just not possible. ;-)
Posted by Roseanna White on 27 September 2010
My favorite actor is Ben Afleck. He is just a natural and relaxed actor.
Posted by Janet Dowell on 27 September 2010
I think I have to agree with Roseanna, though Jimmy Stewart and Katherine Hepburn are a close, very close second. Love the classic actors :-)
Posted by Cara Putman on 27 September 2010
Hmmm…… I have a question =)
If you could star in an old movie, which movie and which character would it be??
As for my favorite actor/actress…….
Liam Neeson/Mark Hannon/Nick Jonas ;)/Rex Harrison for actor
and for actress Sandra Bullock/Selena Gomez/Audrey Hepburn =)
Posted by Emily on 27 September 2010
Emily, that’s a great question. I think I would have to say Scarlett O’Hara in Gone With the Wind. I also love some of Katherine Hepburn’s zaniness in Philadelphia Story. And who wouldn’t like a leading man like Clark Gable, Cary Grant, or Jimmy Stewart :-)
Posted by Cara Putman on 27 September 2010
Favorite classic actors are Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart, Clark Gable, Audrey Hepburn and Katherine Hepburn. Love Sandra Bullock and Tom Hanks for today.
Would love to have been Katherine Hepburn’s portrayal of Jo in the movie Little Women.
Posted by Beth Hines on 28 September 2010
Oooo. Great post, Stephanie. Loved learning a little more about Cara’s writing life. Hmmm I love the older actors,altho Sandra Bullock is a great actress too. :)
Posted by Carole Brown on 28 September 2010
I thought long and hard about my favorite actor and decided Paul Newman is one. But I’m not convinced he’s the MOST favorite. One of my favorite actresses is Audry Hepburn.
Posted by Mary Proctor on 28 September 2010
Great post, the book looks amazing. Right now I think my favorite actress is Saoirse Ronan, she’s so talented for such a young person, or it’s Emily Deschanel from Bones. Her sister, Zooey Deschanel, is really good too. As for actor, Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Definitely.
Posted by Kelsey on 28 September 2010
The cover art on this book is beautiful! Sounds like a good read! I had a hard time coming up with a favorite as all of my past favorites have let me down (ahem, that’s you, Brad Pitt). I’m going to go with Matt Damon because I think he looks like my husband (with hair), and he makes good movies!
Posted by Kelli on 28 September 2010
Kelli, I do love Matt Damon in the Bourne series. Love those! Kelsey, the actress from Bones is good, though I only watch it with my parents when I’m back in NE. Love reading everyone’s favorites.
Posted by Cara Putman on 28 September 2010
This book looks really great. It’s historical and sounds suspenseful, which is my kind of book. I think one of my favorite actresses is Reese Witherspoon. She can act the diva and also be a serious role.
Posted by April on 29 September 2010
I’m so glad I found your blog! Sounds like it’ll be a fun place to visit.
One of my favorite actresses is Jennifer Ehle, who brought Elizabeth Bennet to life in Pride and Prejudice.
Posted by Renee on 29 September 2010
I just found your blog through Go Teen Writers! I am now following you and would love a chance at winning the book! Thanks!!
hmm…favorite actor/actress? I love Colin Firth’s acting in P&P!! I have not seen anyone who could bring Darcy to life SO well since!!
Posted by Katie M on 30 September 2010
i loved watching julie andrews in ‘the sound of music.’
Posted by karenk on 30 September 2010
I have seen Cara’s name come up several times in Christian fiction, but have never read any of her novels. This one sounds good! Cara, I’ve read that you love the WWII time period. Do you prefer writing about the home front or actual war scenes?
Posted by Sylvia M. on 30 September 2010
I found this link at Christian Book Giveaways. Since I am not a big movie fan I have a question for Cara: What type of law do you practice? Do you get story ideas from your legal professional work?
Thanks. MarthaE
mesreadsATgmail.com
Posted by MarthaE on 30 September 2010
Cara, what made you choose to write about this era?
Posted by Karen on 30 September 2010
wow, some great questions! So far I have focused my World War II books on the homefront. I’m working on an idea now that would be set in Europe, but keep stumbling upon homefront stories that I find fascinating. If they excite me, then I can translate that passion into the book.
Right now on the legal front, I do a lot of wills, a few adoptions, but when I have time, I love the complexity of litigation. It’s tough to do that while focusing on my kids.
Karen, I started writing about World War II because I respected what that generation did. I keep finding stories of people putting others first in dramatic ways…and there’s something about that which appeals to me. I think it’s the hope that if we were faced with similar choices we would make similar decisions. And I wanted to honor my grandparents and the roles they played in the war.
Posted by Cara Putman on 30 September 2010
I don’t watch many movies today, so it would be hard to pick a contemporary favorite, although I used to like Tom Hanks. So I’ll pick two that I fell in love with in my younger years: Jimmy Stewart (Shenandoah) and Julie Andrews (The Sound of Music & Mary Poppins).
I definitely want to read Stars in the Night and appreciate the chance to win a copy.
cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net
Posted by Carole on 30 September 2010
I love Hollywood’s Golden Era.
My favorite actor…I’d have to say John Wayne. Good thing too, since he’s also my husband’s favorite actor and we seem to have more than a few of the Duke’s movies around here. :)
Posted by erica vetsch on 27 September 2010