Skip to main content

Camy's First Kickstarter

I worked on my first Kickstarter and it got approved! It’s for the Special Edition Hardcover of Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 1: Archer and the release of Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 7: Spinster. I contacted my graphic designer about the Special Edition Hardcover of vol. 1: Archer—it’s going to be SO beautiful! The Kickstarter focuses on the Special Edition Hardcover, but it’ll also include vol. 7: Spinster so that it’ll sort of be like a launch day for vol. 7, too. A third special thing that’ll be in the Kickstarter is Special Edition Paperbacks of all the books in the series. They won’t be available in stores, just in the Kickstarter (and later, from my website, and also in my Patreon book box tiers if I decide to do them). The Kickstarter is not live yet, but you can follow it to be alerted when it has launched. (You may need to create a free Kickstarter account.) Follow Camy’s Kickstarter

CWO – Character Backstory

Captain’s Log, Stardate 10.17.2006

Blog book giveaway:
To enter, go to the blog links below and post a comment there.
My Thursday book giveaway is Hot Flashes and Cold Cream by Diann Hunt.
My Monday book giveaway is Violette Between by Alison Strobel.
You can still enter both giveaways. On Thursday, I'll draw the winner for the Hot Flashes and Cold Cream and post the title for another book I'm giving away.

Pick my title! I’m still holding a poll for the title of my book! Go to this blog post to cast your vote!



Check out Christian Women Online (click on the button above) to see what other women are blogging about this quote:

"It doesn’t matter what is behind you as much as it matters who is beside you."
~ Ellen ~
"Laced with Grace"


I’m rather torn about this quote. I do like it—it brings to mind the strength, prayers, and support of my husband, my parents, my friends on my writing journey. Where would I be without them, especially the past 12-14 months with all the ups and downs of being contracted and coordinating the Genesis contest?

At the same time, I really do think that what’s behind us makes a big difference.

I know many people have painful pasts, and I’m not saying we should dwell on it. But what happened to me—good and bad—shaped who I am today.

As a writer, I look first to a character’s backstory to discover what they want and why. Even if a lot of that fictional past history never makes it into the novel, I need to know what happened because, well, I’m writing their story. I need to understand the character deeply in order to know how they’d react to the juicy conflict I throw at them in the book.

(And yes, I often talk about my characters as if they’re real people. When you think about them for 8-12 hours a day while typing into a computer screen, see how stable your mind remains.)

I’m like my characters. The things that happened to me—in fact, every step of my life’s journey—was orchestrated by God to bring me to this exact same place I am today.

I didn’t make the best choices along the way, but He compensated. It’s all good.

I’m grateful for who are beside me today, but I can’t discount the things behind me that molded me.

The funny thing is, I’m not even a very sentimental person. LOL!

TMI (Camy’s oversharing section):

Writing: In case you were wondering, I finished my revisions in the wee hours of Monday morning around 4 a.m. That’s a bit late, even for me, but I’m also such a night owl that it’s not as impossible as me waking up at 4 a.m.

Next I’ll be working on my big huge website contest which was supposed to go live last month, but which I can hopefully start this week.

Diet: Captain Caffeine had to fix my exercise bike tonight—the rubber thingy had gotten off track from the wheely thingy. (Very technical, aren’t I?)

I had a relatively low-carb day—dinner was salad. I’m so glad spinach is no longer, well, lethal. E. coli is nasty stuff—I worked with it in my biology research. Although come to think of it, I worked with cancer cells, too, so the E. coli was pretty tame in comparison.

I was so proud of myself for having salad. Just had too much stuff (read: fattening) on top of my spinach.

Comments

Miriam Pauline said…
I absolutely agree that our past makes us who we are. I wouldn't trade my past (the good and the bad) because I wouldn't be the person I am today without it. And it is because God was behind me back then, and is beside me now and is also ahead of me in my future that makes it possible to live with some of the quite stupid mistakes I've made. Thanks for a great post.
Anonymous said…
Camy, that was great. I had to reword mine several times because so many women have pain in their past that does affect them today. You are right. Thanks for bringing that out, I enjoyed it.
Anonymous said…
Camy, you're right about our pasts (the good and the bad) shaping us to be who and what we are today. I loved your take on this quote.

BTW, I'm proud of you too for having a salad even if it had too much stuff. Lol, a salad with too much stuff is better than no salad at all and just lots of stuff. (did that even make sense?)
Amydeanne said…
It is so true about can't discount the past. I don't like mine, but it helped me see my issues and I am better now b/c of it.
Gina Conroy said…
I can totally relate. If I traded my past I wouldn't be who I am today! I loved the way you related it to your characters. I often think of my backstory and wonder what "my book" would look like. Sometimes I even do a GMC on myself!
Nic said…
Excellent take on today's quote! I never thought about taking on the perspective of the past being behind us. Really enjoyed reading today's CWO from you!
Christine said…
Yup, our past is important to who we are, but doesn't have to define where we are going! Thanks for your post! I like the perspective you gave to it.
Awww Camster... I'm of the opinion you're a little more sentimental than you admit.
Brenda said…
That's so true. I remember talking with my brother about things that happened to me he never knew about, and telling him that I wouldn't change anything because I wouldn't be where I am today and wouldn't have the wisdom and first hand experience of the awsome power of God. Thanks for sharing.
duh! I forgot to congrats you on finishing your revisions! woohoo! yay!
Anonymous said…
Good points you made!
Reminds that God works all things together for good ...
Thanks for your positive perspective!
Sunydazy

Popular Posts

Bethany House Publishers Cover Survey Invitation

Captain's Log, Supplemental I just got this from Bethany House Publishers: Hello Reader, We at Bethany House Publishers appreciate our readers opinions about the books we publish. Occasionally, we seek your input about upcoming products. Currently, we are conducting a survey about the cover image for an upcoming novel. For your time, we are offering a giveaway in conjunction with this survey. You will be able to choose from ten recent Bethany House novels, and there will be ten winners. Winners will be notified within two weeks. Click here to take the survey, which should take about 10 minutes to complete. Thank you for your participation, and feel free to forward this email on to your friends or link the survey on your website. The survey will be available through Monday, September 17. Thanks for your time and your opinions. We value your feedback. Sincerely, Jim Hart Internet Marketing Manager Bethany House Publishers

Narrow Escape contest for January!

I’m so excited because my January Love Inspired Suspense, Narrow Escape , is now available! Here’s the back cover blurb: KIDNAPPED IN BROAD DAYLIGHT Arissa Tiong and her three-year-old niece are snatched off the street by members of a notorious drug gang. Having lost her police officer brother to a drug bust gone bad, Arissa knows the danger she's in. But she has no idea why they want her. Desperate to protect the little girl, Arissa escapes and runs straight to Nathan Fischer. She knows the handsome, weary former narcotics cop hasn't told her everything about the night that ended her brother's life and Nathan's career. But he's all that stands between her and dangerous thugs who are after something she doesn't even know she has. This is the 4th book in my Sonoma series , but each book is stand-alone. The hero is Nathan Fischer, who had a minor role in the 3rd book, Stalker in the Shadows . To celebrate, I’m giving away 10 copies of Narrow Escape ! Her

I sold to Steeple Hill!

Captain's Log, Supplemental Remember that romantic suspense proposal I blogged about earlier? Well, it just sold to Steeple Hill’s Love Inspired Suspense line! I am so jazzed! I am beyond jazzed! The story’s working title is Sinister Spa The story's title is Deadly Intent and here’s a blurb (but it’s probably not what will appear on the back of the book): Massage therapist Naomi Grant could use a massage herself. With her father at home recovering from a stroke, Naomi is put in charge of the family’s elite day spa in Sonoma county. The new responsibilities sit awkwardly on her shoulders, and things only get worse when handsome Dr. Devon Knightley breezes into the spa, demanding to see one of the female clients. And the woman is found dead in Naomi’s massage room. Suddenly, Naomi is a suspect and her family’s spa is shut down. How could God let this awful thing happen? Devon only needed to see his ex-wife about a family necklace she still hadn’t returned, but when she dies and

No Cold Bums toilet seat cover

Captain's Log, Stardate 08.22.2008 I actually wrote out my pattern! I was getting a lot of hits on my infamous toilet seat cover , and I wanted to make a new one with “improvements,” so I paid attention and wrote things down as I made the new one. This was originally based off the Potty Mouth toilet cover , but I altered it to fit over the seat instead of the lid. Yarn: any worsted weight yarn, about 120 yards (this is a really tight number, I used exactly 118 yards. My suggestion is to make sure you have about 130 yards.) I suggest using acrylic yarn because you’re going to be washing this often. Needle: I used US 8, but you can use whatever needle size is recommended by the yarn you’re using. Gauge: Not that important. Mine was 4 sts/1 inch in garter stitch. 6 buttons (I used some leftover shell buttons I had in my stash) tapestry needle Crochet hook (optional) Cover: Using a provisional cast on, cast on 12 stitches. Work in garter st until liner measures

Tabi socks, part deux

Captain's Log, Stardate 07.25.2008 (If you're on Ravelry, friend me! I'm camytang.) I made tabi socks again! (At the bottom of the pattern is the calculation for the toe split if you're not using the same weight yarn that I did for this pattern (fingering). I also give an example from when I used worsted weight yarn with this pattern.) I used Opal yarn, Petticoat colorway. It’s a finer yarn than my last pair of tabi socks, so I altered the pattern a bit. Okay, so here’s my first foray into giving a knitting pattern. Camy’s top-down Tabi Socks I’m assuming you already know the basics of knitting socks. If you’re a beginner, here are some great tutorials: Socks 101 How to Knit Socks The Sock Knitter’s Companion A video of turning the heel Sock Knitting Tips Yarn: I have used both fingering weight and worsted weight yarn with this pattern. You just change the number of cast on stitches according to your gauge and the circumference of your ankle. Th

Year of the Dog serial novel

About Year of the Dog : A month or two ago, I remembered an old manuscript I had completed but which hadn’t sold. It was a contemporary romance meant for Zondervan, titled Year of the Dog . The book had gone into the pipeline and I even got another title ( Bad Dog ) and a cover for it, but eventually my editor at the time decided she didn’t want to publish it, for various reasons. She instead requested a romantic suspense, and so I cannibalized some of the characters from Year of the Dog and thrust them into the next book I wrote, which was Protection for Hire . Honestly, I didn’t take a lot from Year of the Dog to put in Protection for Hire , aside from character names and a few relationship ties. I was originally thinking I’d post Year of the Dog as-is on my blog as a free read, but then it occurred to me that I could revamp it into a romantic suspense and change the setting to Hawaii. It would work out perfectly as (yet another) prequel to the Warubozu series and introduc

I GOT A CONTRACT!

Captain’s Log, Stardate 03.29.2006 I had a wonderfully funny blog post planned for today, but I got sidetracked by some news yesterday! Zondervan has offered me a three-book contract on my Asian chick-lit series ! I’m still stunned by everything that’s happened. The series is actually a 4-book projected Asian chick-lit series about four cousins who fall under the infamous family title "Oldest Single Female Cousin," and their ruthless, wealthy grandma applies pressure on each of them to improve their lack of love interests. I think the first book is tentatively scheduled to be released in August 2007. The blurb on the series is on my website here . Brandilyn Collins posted to the ACFW loop about my writing journey, and Tamara Cooper asked that I share it. And since you all know how much I like to talk , here it is. My writing journey: Like most writers, I have wanted to write since I was very young. (In high school, I wrote a fantasy novel that will never see the light of day

Sweet March Freebies

Sign up for these authors’ newsletters and get free books! Click on the graphic to check out all the free books. You might find a new favorite author! Sweet March Freebies

Welcome Spring with these Christian/sweet and wholesome books in Kindle Unlimited!

I’m participating in this promo. Click on the graphic to check out all the Christian romance books available and stuff your eBook reader! Welcome Spring with these Christian/sweet and wholesome books in Kindle Unlimited!

New book idea a la Captain Caffeine

Captain's Log, Stardate 04.14.2009 So my husband, Captain Caffeine, had lunch with a few friends a few days ago. And they asked about my writing, and if I’d been on Oprah yet. (Yeah, right) They then discussed NYT bestselling books, and why can’t Camy write a NYT bestseller. (Sure, let me just open a vein over a blank page and it’ll come right out.) So Captain Caffeine came home with ideas for my new NYT bestselling novel. First it starts with vampires, because Twilight is so hot. But not just any vampires. This one’s an Amish vampire. And he’s not just an Amish vampire, he’s a cop in disguise, infiltrating the Amish community to protect a witness. (Hmm, that storyline sounds familiar ...) But wait! There’s more! To add more conflict and stick with my brand of Asian fiction, we introduce the Tibetan monk! Who joins the Amish community to get away from the pressures of monkhood. But in reality, he’s protecting the Chinese princess on the run, trying to escape from her father’s Hong