I’m sharing Vannatter happenings today. Answer the question in this post to enter the drawing for winner’s choice of my backlist I have in stock or books I’ve edited that I have in stock. Deadline: June 1st, 11:59 pm central time.
Inspiration struck.
Since 2019, family illnesses, an adult son graduating high school, finding his way in the workforce, then getting married, and an editing gig distracted me from writing. I had a few ideas, but no inspiration that woke me in the night and drove me to the computer.
Finally, things settled down last year. But still no inspiration. I decided to rewrite an old book I wrote years ago. I love that book, love those characters. After a year, I had it polished to a shine. But my agent still didn’t think it was sellable and couldn’t get behind shopping it to publishers. So I set it aside again. But it’s still not dead. Someday, I’ll figure out how to make it the book it needs to be.
Back to the drawing board. I had some ideas and worked up a proposal I really loved and sent it to my agent. She loved it too and sent it to the publisher. I’m still waiting for news. In the meantime, I had a vague idea and wrote about three chapters of a new book. Then I got a sinus infection and spent a week, laying around watching TV to take my mind off how miserable I was.
In the midst of my sabbatical, of watching clean romance movies instead of writing or reading, inspiration struck. For a series of three books, longer length than my published titles. I love these books, love these characters, love the premise, love the setting, love the concept. And it seems really sellable—to me anyway.
As the series percolated in my mind, I made notes. In my phone, on sticky notes, in notebooks. I realized I needed a break from writing to let the stories flesh out in my head. I had lunch or dinner with friends, went flea marketing with my husband, helped our kids get ready for the imminent birth of our first granddaughter.
Then she was born. The prettiest little girl I ever saw made me a Gigi. For a week, I didn’t think about anything but her, our son, and daughter-in-law, getting them home from the hospital and settled. Trying not to drive them crazy with Gigi’s presence. Drooling over her. Going wild over all that black hair and sweet baby smell.
So this week I started writing the first book of my new series that I absolutely love. I’m working on the proposal to send to my agent to see what she thinks. Next time I’m feeling dry and no inspiration comes, I need to remember to take a break, do other things. That’s when the magic happens.
Question for Readers: Do you have any new babies in your family? What’s your favorite name for a baby and why?
About Shannon: Award winning author, Shannon Taylor Vannatter writes contemporary Christian cowboy romance and has over a dozen published titles. A romance reader since her teens, she hopes to entertain Christian women and plant seeds in the non-believer’s heart as she demonstrates that love doesn’t conquer all—Jesus does.
She gleans fodder for her fiction in rural Arkansas where she spent her teenage summers working the concession stand with her rodeo-announcing dad and married a Texan who morphed into a pastor. Shannon is Scrivenings Press Acquisitions/Content Editor for Contemporary titles. In her spare time, she loves hanging out with her husband and adult son, flea marketing, and doing craft projects. Learn more & connect
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About the book – The Cowboy’s Missing Memories:
Can he reclaim his past…and build a future?
He needs to remember.
She’s his best hope…
After a rodeo accident took away Clint Rawlins’s mobility and two years’ worth of memories, occupational therapist Lexie Parker is his only shot at recovering and regaining independence. Lexie is drawn to Clint…but she’s wary of the amnesiac’s all-too-vulnerable feelings. And with the possibility of him returning to his dangerous bull-riding side job, she refuses to risk her heart. But resisting her charming patient may be harder than she expected…
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The Cowboy’s Missing Memory Shannon’s Books
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Not sure where to answer your question but I guess this is the place! Favorite names: Mandy & Max. My best friend in 2nd or 3rd grade was named Mandy & I’ve always liked that name! Same with Max…
This is the place, Tess. Those would be cute for twins.
No babies. I had my one and only almost, less than 3 weeks, 16 years ago. The Good Lord decided that after a traumatic abusive relationship. I did not need a husband or any more children at that time and moving forward. Maybe one day he will bless me with a husband. Maybe further down the line after that he might see fit to send a daughter-in-law who can accept my son being autistic and maybe send grandbabies. Who knows the will of God.
If I had had a girl instead of a boy. I was going to name her Abrielle Marie. I found it in a baby name book, after having read The Return of the Guardian King by Karen Hancock (great series BTW) and the baby was Abrielle, however they pronounced it Abe-re Elle. I was going to pronounce mine Aww-Brie-Elle. A friend of mine, not knowing I chose that, said if she has another girl, she’s naming her Abrielle and I am the Godmother, unfortunately she just had boy #4.
I pray you get a blessing, Jennifer. Abrielle is very pretty. I’ve never heard it. I’m glad you have Godsons. Maybe there will be a Goddaughter in your future.
Our baby grands are both five now. I miss the baby stage of our life. Oldest grand is 22, so maybe greats aren’t too far away. (No pressure, J). I hope someday someone in the family names a little girl Merry, after my mom. I have always loved the uniqueness of that spelling, and the idea of always being joyful, or merry.
Hey Jenny. I like that name too and the meaning of it. A person would have to be be happy with a name like Merry.
No new babies in our family. I have always liked the name Julie or Julia.
I do too, Diana. I had a friend named Julie in school.
On Mother’s Day our oldest son and daughter in law told us we will be first time grandparents December 13. This baby is a miracle from God after 2 fertility doctors, 2 miscarriages, 4 years of trying and a 5% chance. God is faithful! I like Bible names like Sarah or Matthew.
How exciting, Maryann. God is good!!!!
Our youngest is a great granddaughter, Lainey Mae who born in February. Our youngest grandchild is Wyatt Martin who is almost 5. We have 6 greats and 13 grands. I couldn’t pick a favorite name with so many possibilities in the family.
I like both of those names, Karen. That’s a lot of greats and grands. We had a neighbor named Lainey when I was a kid.
Our favorite is Ellie because of course it’s the name of our only grandchild who was a big surprise to us all!
Hey Jeannie. What a nice surprise.
Our first grandson was born 3 weeks ago and he also made me a GiGi!! I haven’t gotten to see him or hold him just yet because we live an ocean away. The good news is that Monday I’m leaving on a jet plane to hug and kiss that baby! Can’t wait! I think Oliver is a fabulous name for a very beloved baby.
Hey Wendy. I’m do glad you’re about to see that baby. I can’t imagine living an ocean apart. Ours live across the road and I don’t see her as much as I’d like because of that trying to not drive them crazy thing.
We have 2 babies due in July in our family one boy and one girl
Hey Shelia. 1 of each is fun. We got the prettiest little girl I’ve ever seen.
No new babies in the family. My oldest is only about to turn 21. Ever since I can remember I have loved the name Michael, which is fortunate since it is my hubby’s name and our son’s middle name.
Hey Cherie. Our son is only 22. But he’s been married a year and half and is now a dad. Crazy. That’s cool you married a man with your favorite name.
I have a winner! Wendy England won the drawing. I appreciate everyone for stopping by.