Author Bio:
Chloe S. Flanagan is an author, technical writer, blogger, and graduate of New York University. She enjoys exploring the Christian walk frankly and thoughtfully in her fiction and in her blog, The Candid Corinthian. When she’s not writing, Chloe loves music, travel, reading books in all genres, and spending time with family.
Interview:
1 What is the first book that made you cry?
The first book I remember making me cry was Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. I was reading it at my desk in fourth grade during free time when I got to a part where a character died. Thinking back, it’s pretty funny because I remember trying to wipe my eyes before any of my classmates noticed I’d been bawling.
2 What book title best describes your life?
The title A Work in Progress, which is a novel by Staci Stallings, one of my favorite indie authors, describes my life pretty well.
3 If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
I would tell myself to start working on some of the many ideas rattling around in my head sooner, because writing never gets better without practice.
4 What made you want to become a writer?
Books and narratives have fascinated me ever since I was a kid. Even when I wasn’t reading, I was always making up stories in my head. I didn’t think about taking writing seriously; however, until I was finishing my undergraduate degree at New York University. That’s when I started doing freelance writing. Later, I was blessed to find my current position as a technical writer, and I also started blogging and writing fiction.
5 What book that you have read has most influenced your life?
The Bible has influenced my life most consistently—not that I’ve always followed what it commands perfectly—but the narrative has stayed with me by comforting, challenging, and teaching.
6 Does your family support your career as a writer?
My family has been very supportive of my career—both as a technical writer and as a novelist. My mom and grandparents were behind me as I was finishing Forward to What Lies Ahead and several of my extended family members read it as soon as it was released.
7 Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?
All of my characters are partly inspired by real people. The main character, Regina, is a combination of several of the strong women that I admire in my life.
8 Does your book have a lesson? Moral?
Yes, the overarching lesson in Forward to What Lies Ahead is that, no matter what we go through or what we do, God still offers us His love, and trusting His grace is better than relying on our own strength.
9 What has your experience been like as an new Indie Author? Bruises, Highlights, and lessons?
It’s been a really great experience overall. At first, it felt like a lonely process (which writing can be anyway, I suppose) because there was no agent or house directing me. But, as I did research, I found groups and friends online and in person to help. It’s nice to have people to support you and to whom you can offer support.
Being an indie author requires a lot of time, quite a bit of which is spent doing non-writing things, but I think it’s worth it to have the freedom to drive your own goals.
10 What are you most looking forward to in the next 10 years?
I’m looking forward to reading more great indie and traditionally published authors and interacting with them. I’m also looking forward to telling more stories and branching out into other genres such as historical fiction.
Book Info:
Sometimes being strong isn’t enough.
Ever since she was a teenager, Regina Whitman has relied on her tough, independent spirit to survive and to protect the ones she loves. Even when heartache and disappointment strike, she finds the strength to press forward, rebuild her life, and do meaningful work.
But just when her outlook seems brightest, a tragic and shameful secret from the past catches up with her, jeopardizing her future and threatening the lives of the people around her.
In the face of overwhelming danger and darkness, can Regina learn to trust God and embrace the love she doesn’t think she deserves? Or will the painful guilt of her past destroy her?
Social media Links
Here is the book's Amazon page:
My Amazon Author page:
My Social Media links:
Giveaway
Chloe is giving away one signed physical copy. Anyone who comments on the blogpost will be eligible to win (if they are in the US). Provide your email and she will email them to find out about their physical address for shipping the winning book. If no contact info is available and I don't know you, you won't be entered in the drawing. MUST LEAVE SOME CONTACT INFO.
Thanks, Debbie, for introducing us to Chloe. I look forward to reading her book(s) and I'm thrilled Chloe joined Heart"wings" on FB.
ReplyDeleteI never read Little Women. I probably should since there are four of us and we lost one lost year.
ReplyDeleteI like the storyline of this book. I love how God shows up.
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