Today I’d like to welcome another fellow writer, Carmen Peone.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m a daughter of God who loves to ride horses, take nature photos, who’s married to an amazing man, and is a mother and grandmother who loves summer.
It sounds like we’re opposites when it comes to our favorite season since I love winter. 🙂 How did you get started in writing?
With a degree in abnormal psychology, writing didn’t really enter my mind until I moved to the Colville Indian Reservation in Northeast Washington State. I fell in love with the land, culture, and people. After working in the school system and with youth, I began writing what I’d learned from elders for teens. Only in the last few years have I added Western romance novels to my book list.
That’s great. So when you’re writing do you prefer sweet or salty snacks?
Salty. Always salty. 😊
🙂 What do you enjoy most about the writing process?
I love researching and getting to know my characters. It’s fun to befriend my characters and watch them glow in life and in love.
I can definitely relate. What advice would you give to a beginning writer?
To know your characters inside and out. From there, you can plot. Know their fears, wounds, flaws, the lies they believe, and their dark moment story. But also know what they excel at because that’s what they’ll use to save the day. Know what they want and why. You cannot ask your character “why” enough. Find out what your main characters’ 2 main values are and pit them against one another. And as Rachel Hauck says, “Tell the story between the quotes.”
Great thoughts. What were your favorite books to read as a kid?
I enjoyed reading anything with horses and princesses. Quite the mix!
Gentling the Cowboy 
About the book
After a horse client lies about her mistreating his colt in the local newspaper, Jolyn Field’s Wyoming colt-staring business takes a plunge. Her existing clients begin to cancel appointments just as she’s about to hold a clinic with a crowd that has considerably dwindled from her previous clinics.
Successful horseman Milo Newman tries to help save Jolyn’s reputation by entering her in a prestigious colt-starting competition in Cheyenne. After his business partner cuts and runs, he hopes Jolyn will accept his offer to become his new partner.
Jolyn decides to cowgirl up and goes to the competition. Will her lie-slinging ex-client show up and make a ruckus? Will Milo aid or add pressure to the already stressful competition? Can Jolyn win back her reputation, save her equine business, and have the life she’s dreamed of?
Bio
Carmen Peone is an award-winning author of Young Adult Adventure and Contemporary Western Romance. She lives in Northeast Washington and on the Colville Confederated Indian Reservation with her husband and horses.
She had worked with a Tribal Elder, Marguerite Ensminger, for three years learning the Arrow Lakes Language and various cultural traditions, which led to her writing career.
With a degree in abnormal psychology, the thought of writing never entered her mind, until she married her husband and they moved to the reservation after college.
With the love of history and the Western woman’s lifestyle, she weaves threads of hope, family, relationships, love, and faith into her stories that lead to happily ever after.
Connect with Carmen on:
Website and Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | BookBub | Goodreads
Thank you for hosting me!!
You’re welcome, Carmen.