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Discover the Inspiration Behind Camille Elliot’s Stories

A little bit about Camille Elliot

Hi, I’m Camille Elliot. Weirdo things about me: I’m from Hawaii but I don’t like the beach. I like to knit, but from patterns written in the 1800s. I started learning Japanese in order to read Japanese light novels (Fantasy serial novels).

Hi there!

My real name is Camy Tang, and I write Christian Regency Romantic Suspense under my pen name, Camille Elliot. I like knitting, tea, reading, and I'm (slowly) learning to speak Japanese.

I’ve always loved reading, but I didn’t feel the urge to write until I read Anne McCaffrey’s novels Dragonsong and Dragonsinger in junior high school. I loved the story world so much that I just had to write my own!

However, in high school I felt God convicting me that I wasn’t writing for His glory, I just wanted my name on a book cover. I was strongly influenced by Oswald Chambers’ book, My Utmost for His Highest, which encouraged me to completely abandon myself to God. I felt Him telling me to lay the writing down and seek Him more completely. It was a huge battle, but I eventually did and didn’t write anything until after I’d graduated college and was working as a biology researcher.

Hi, I’m Camy’s books. The Lady Wynwood’s Spies series is an escape into the popular Regency era with adventure, slow-burn romance, and a long, epic-length storyline so you don’t have to say goodbye to the characters and story world.

I suddenly felt God telling me that it was okay to start writing again. I spent many years writing and working on my craft before my novel, a Christian Contemporary Romance called Sushi for One?, was published by Zondervan. After that series, I wrote Christian Romantic Suspense for both Zondervan and Love Inspired Suspense, and then I wrote my first Christian Regency Romantic Suspense, Prelude for a Lord, as Camille Elliot for Zondervan.

I then felt God urging me to have my Christian novels translated into Japanese to introduce Japanese women to Christ. For that reason, I decided to go into indie publishing, and I started my Lady Wynwood’s Spies series.

What’s great about writing Christian Regency Romantic Suspense is that I can take antique knitting patterns and put the items in my books! Check out pictures and the patterns of some of the knitted items I’ve made.

Let me know if you ever make one of them!

Camy

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Comments

Susan F. said…
Camy, a Regency, that is exciting! I'll be sure to watch for it.
I have a question for you. If a reviewer picks up that particular book how do you feel if your pen name and real name get mentioned in the review? I never thought about it before, that the author should be asked if a reviewer knows about both names. Obviously you've mentioned it here so it isn't a state's secret but it made me curious.
I'll pray for you about the health/weight/marathon plan.
Mon Jan 06, 12:57:00 PM 2014
Camy Tang said…
That's a good question! I personally prefer it since I know a lot of my romantic suspense readers also enjoy historicals and would be interested in my Regency. Thanks for the prayers!
Mon Jan 06, 03:42:00 PM 2014
Veronica said…
That's pretty flipping awesome, Camy! I will definitely keep an eye out for when that book comes out.
I'm sorry that you haven't been feeling well. I hope you feel better soon and that you will be able to meet your 2014 resolutions. :-)

I haven't really thought of any resolutions besides hopefully getting a job this year. It is in God's hands and all I can do is apply for positions and let the employers know that I want the job. And keep praying of course.;-)

Like you, I started the Goodreads 2014 reading challenge. I haven't even started on it yet. LOL Right now I'm just re-reading this manga called La Corda d'Oro, which I LOVE, it is just taking me longer than usual. :-)

God bless!
-Veronica

PS I'll keep you in my prayers.
Mon Jan 06, 06:38:00 PM 2014
Melody said…
How did you come up with your pen name? I love the cover of the book. I just striving to be better than I was last year.
Tue Jan 07, 12:10:00 AM 2014
Camy Tang said…
Thanks Veronica!

I hope you get a job soon! I'll be praying for you! Let me know if you find one! And thanks for praying for me!
Wed Jan 08, 04:12:00 AM 2014
Camy Tang said…
Melody, my editor and I came up with it. Anne Elliot is my favorite Austen character. :)

I think that's a great resolution!
Wed Jan 08, 04:13:00 AM 2014
Lady DragonKeeper said…
I've seen several authors with pen names for different genres ... Though you didn't have a pen name to separate your contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels. Is there a reason why you decided to go with a pen name for your historical novel?
Tue Jan 21, 10:44:00 PM 2014
Camy Tang said…
Mostly because it was a really large leap from romantic suspense to Regency romance. :) My publisher suggested it.
Sun Jan 26, 05:30:00 PM 2014
Lady DragonKeeper said…
That makes sense. I can't wait to read Prelude for a Lord --the Regency era is one of my favorites-- plus the story sounds really unique!
Mon Feb 03, 02:48:00 AM 2014
Camy Tang said…
Thanks! I hope you enjoy it! I loved writing it! Regency is my favorite historical era to read!
Mon Feb 03, 03:06:00 PM 2014
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