Interview with Monica Mynk, Author and Speaker

by | Jul 25, 2017 | Author Interviews

Last week you read my review of new-to-me author Monica Mynk’s book, The Billboard Bride. If you haven’t read it, I suggest you do. It was a cute story with lots of humor. Today, Monica has graciously agreed to be interviewed.

 

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Monica Mynk is a wife, mother, and high school science teacher from Central Kentucky. She has worked with college, teenage, and middle-grade girls in both secular and spiritual arenas for over twenty-five years. She has also served as Bible class teacher, Bible camp counselor, ladies’ day speaker, ladies’ devotional leader, and youth coach for the Lads to Leaders/Leaderettes program. She has always been an avid reader and loved creative writing, and has devoted many years to independently studying the craft.

Thank you for agreeing to an interview, Monica.MonicaMynkPic

 

How would you describe yourself in five words?

Motivated daughter of the King

 

As a wife, mother, teacher, and speaker, how is it you have time to write?

Well, years ago I read a quote from Khaled Hosseini, who wrote The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns (if you haven’t read these books, stop reading! Go right now and get them!). He was a doctor, and woke up at 5:00 a.m. every day to write. I thought if he can, why couldn’t I? So I force myself to. That’s how I ended up with eight books and more coming.

“Pennies make dollars, and words make novels.” – Monica Mynk

 

How has your writing journey impacted your faith?

Writing has certainly deepened my faith. I started writing fiction several years ago after losing my best friend to cancer. When I started, it was therapy. Friends and fellow ACFW writers like Rose McCauley, Ralene Burke, Betty Thomason Owens, and Victoria Bylin offered advice and inspiration. Now, it’s a huge part of who I am. Sometimes I write blogs about Bible journaling and contextual studies, which has been awesome! If you want to get started with Bible Journaling, I highly recommend Kathy Pollard’s blog: http://comefillyourcup.com/features/bible-marking-features/

 

How do you minister to others?

I write broken girls, as reassurance that they can find their way back to God. I speak at ladies days, mostly at Churches of Christ. My usual topic is Ungodly Clutter, which is the title of my ladies Bible study book. Other topics include Being Less, What’s Your Calling? and A Sweet-Smelling Savior. More information is available at this link: https://monicamynk.com/speaking/

 

What was your publishing journey like?

My writing journey is complicated. I was with a small publisher, but have since retained the rights to all my books. I now do everything under my DBA, Prodigal Daughter Publishing. It was a leap of faith for sure, but this works out so much better for me. I often donate books to homeless shelters and such. It’s nice to be able to purchase my own books at the Createspace price instead of having to pay extra to someone else. I’ve learned every step of the process, from cover design to editing to formatting, and sometimes (when I’m not swamped with teaching) I offer these services to other authors. https://monicamynk.com/author-services/

The prices listed are general, but I will try to work with an author to meet their budget when I can. I especially like to do chapter edits, which is a good way for someone who’s never had an edit to get their feet wet with the process.

Are you a planner or a seat of your pants plotter?

I’m sort of a hybrid between a pantser and planner. I free-write about 10,000 words to “find the story” then plan each chapter out in great detail. I keep a ton of notes. Otherwise, characters have odd hair color or name changes!

You have eight books out now, The Billboard Bride being the newest. What inpired you to write The Billboard Bride?

The Billboard Bride is a story for my daddy. I designed the cover, and my friend Lora Doncea edited it. It’s 100% about my stubbornness during my teen and college years. Dad is my champion and my rock, and the character of Wayne Lee was inspired by him. A farm accident and diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease have slowed him some, but we’ve had so many great farm memories over the years. I also wanted to write something light and funny, in contrast to the romantic suspense I normally write. It’s meant to poke lighthearted fun at the over-the-top bridezilla movement. Hopefully, no one in real life is stubborn enough to take things as far as Melanie did, but these days I’m not so sure. My favorite parts to write were the scenes with Gertie. It may seem kind of crazy giving a cow a personality, but true farmers know they really do have their own character.

 

Out of all your books, if you could be one character, which one would you be and why?

If I could be a character from one of my books, I’d be Callie from Cavernous, because of her bravery. I write brave characters in the hopes that if I ever have to face a situation so frightening, I won’t back down from my faith. Steadfast like a tree…

 

Who is your fictional man crush?

My fictional man crush? Hmm…great question! I think maybe Max Jacobs from Ronie Kendig’s Nightshade. His struggle with PTSD was so real and touched my heart.

 

What is your favorite joke? Corny or otherwise.

My favorite joke. Well, you did ask for it 🙂 What do you do with a sick chemist? Answer: If you can’t helium or curium, you have to barium.

 

Oh my goodness! I love that one, Monica! I am a corny joke fanatic! Is there anything else you would like to share with my readers?

I’m always looking for reviewers and will happily send free digital copies to anyone who’s interested.

 

Thanks for sharing Monica! I really appreciate you taking the time to share with my readers. 

 

If you are interested in learning more about Monica’s books or her speaking engagements, check out her website at https://monicamynk.com/.

Writing Wednesday: Author Interview – Angela K. Couch

by | Jan 25, 2017 | Writing Craft

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Sometimes as readers and writers, it is interesting and even helpful to hear from other published authors. Yesterday, you were able to read my review for Angela’s newest release, out this week, The Scarlet Coat. Today, Angela has graciously agreed to join my blog for an interview.

 

Once you have enjoyed the post, please join her Facebook Release Party. The actual party begins on Thursday, January 27th from 10 AM – 6 PM UTC-07 time (or 12PM to 8PM EST for those who were like me and went, huh?), but you can go ahead and check out a bit about the party and GIVEAWAYS!!! Wahoo!

 

 

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Welcome, Angela! and thank you so much for agreeing to my quirky author interview. I’ve split my questions into two categories today: Questions about the Story and Questions about Writing.

 

Questions about The Scarlet Coat


How long have you wanted to write this story? 

Not too long. I actually wrote this story as soon as I came up with the idea almost nine years ago! This is one of my first complete manuscripts. But it looked a lot different back then. The original was written in first-person and completely from the heroin’s point of view.

 

What do you love about The Scarlet Coat? Do you have a favorite scene?

I must say I love him. I loved writing the British officer who can’t remember who he is. I loved (once I added his point of view) letting him discover himself more honestly than he’d ever let himself before. My favorite scene is when his pride gets in the way of his good sense and he tries to leave before he’s able.

 

Were there any scenes you edited out of this book? Any of them you care to share? smiley-1271146_640

The whole last quarter of the book was completely rewritten when I went back to it a couple years ago. I don’t know what to say about the old end, though, without giving away too much of the new one. 😉

 

 

Which character did you identify with most?

Fine, I’ll admit it, Rachel and I share a lot in common. Maybe not in the first draft, but when I went back to this story, I decided I could give one of my heroine’s some of my personality. That’s when she started digging out the huge stump in the garden (I had one in my back yard, too.)

 

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Your cover is beautiful. What was the cover design process like for you? Did you get to have any input?

Thank you! My publisher took care of all that. There were two little things they changed on my suggestion, but otherwise, they did a great job. 

 

What is your biggest hope for your readers as they devour your book?

First, I do hope they devour it…or at least really enjoy it. But as they read, I do hope there moments where they contemplate their own relationship with God and consider His love for each of us.

Questions about Writing:

 

Do you believe in writer’s block?child-1446724_640

I believe in needing to step back and do more research—whether that consists of real research into the era, or a long hot bath or walk to get the imagination flowing again. At least that’s what works for me.

 

Does writing energize or exhaust you?

Both. Sometimes the story is so exciting and it comes with such ease that energy flows through you. And other times it’s like pulling teeth and drains the life out of you. Thankfully the first is slightly more prevalent. 😉

 

What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?

Other than buying a laptop that wouldn’t die and dump chunks of a story, my ACFW membership was worth its weight in gold. The resources, contacts, and friends I have made are priceless. Every success I’ve had as a writer can be linked directly to American Christian Fiction Writers.

 

What did the road to publishing look like for you?

woodland-656969_640I got my first nibble from a publisher back in 2009, just before I got engaged to my husband. They wanted to publish my book, (a different one) but when they ran the numbers they couldn’t fit it in the 2010 season. In 2011 they closed their doors. I got married and had a baby and didn’t do much writing for about 4 years. Then I felt strongly I needed to get back to work. Only now, I had a 2 year-old and a 9 month-old mama’s girl. I took an evening class in creative writing once a week for a semester and joined ACFW. That next summer I entered my first short story contest and was a finalist. The following (2015) summer, I entered two short story contests and won both! A couple months later I heard back from a small publisher offering me a contract for Her Blue-eyed Brave, (which will hopefully be released in the next year.) A month later I was given the contract for The Scarlet Coat and its sequel, The Patriot and the Loyalist. That has grown to a four book series that I am super excited about!

 

How have you seen God through writing your novels? 

There are moments when I look back on what I just wrote and realize I’m not that good. When the book and characters take me in a direction I’d never imagined or they say something that even gives me pause for thought…that’s when I know I’m not the only one moving my fingers across the keys.

 

My last but not least question, what advice would you give writer’s just beginning their journey?

Don’t do it alone! There are so many other writers out there who can help you on this journey, and who you can help. There is strength, knowledge, and resources in community.  Plus a lot of commiseration and celebration during the highs and lows that come with this business. 

 

 

Thank you again, Angela, for taking the time for this interview. Readers, don’t forget to join Angela’s Facebook Release Party! I hope to see you there! If you have any questions you want to ask Angela, post them below and I will pass them on and post her answer.

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