My guest today is Celia Yeary, best-selling author of a dozen Romance novels set in my home state of Texas. She’s also co-founder of Sweethearts of the West – a group of authors writing romance set under western skies.
Good morning, Celia. Welcome to Dac’s Western Blog.
** And good morning to you, too. I'm very happy to be visiting your blog--what an honor!
I understand you’re a former science teacher. What prompted you to write romantic fiction?
**Hmmm, mind-numbing boredom. I injured my back and an ankle--stay off the golf course!--and was confined to a recliner most of many days. My husband put a laptop in my lap and said..."Here. Write something." I'd never written anything in my life except science research papers, but before my very eyes, a story appeared. I wrote for weeks without stopping and ended up with a full-length novel. After much editing and correcting, I got a contract. That began my new second-life venture.
Tell me about Sweethearts of the West.
**A dear Texas friend, Caroline Clemmons, asked if I'd like to partner with her to form a group blog for Western romance authors. I jumped at the chance, since I'd been thinking along the same lines. We invited eleven to join us so that we'd have a new post every two days. Also, we reserved the 10th and the 20th for special guests. You were our very first Special Guest! How about that?
We not only promote our books at times, we write articles complete with old photos of the Old West. It's becoming fairly popular.
What’s special about romances set in Texas?
**Well, because it's Texas! I'm a 7th generation Texan, a Daughter of the Texas Republic, and Texas is what I know best.
And you live in San Marcos, Texas, with that beautiful San Marcos river. What has this extensive drought done to the river?
**So far, the springs are still bubbling. During the worst drought of the 50s, the springs never stopped, although they did slow. Now, the river is low, but still flowing. The tubers are out in force.
So what’s next for Celia Yeary?
**Promoting all the books I have out takes a great deal of time. When I do find time to write, I work on a manuscript titled "A Life Worth Living," set in 1919 after The Great War ended. A soldier comes home to Texas and finds all his family wiped out from the Spanish flu, and his neighbor burned down his house and barn. But he meets a pretty widow...and finds his old dog Tracer...and is accused of murder...and what else, I don't know yet.
Thanks so much for inviting me--
Celia Yeary-Romance...and a little bit 'o Texas
http://www.celiayeary.blogspot.com
http://www.celiayeary.com
http://sweetheartsofthewest.blogspot.com
Thank you, Don--I appreciate your visit. Celia
Posted by: Celia Yeary | August 27, 2011 at 04:03 PM
Thank you, Linda--Dac was very generous to ask me to guest here on his blog. I feel honored.
I'm so happy your like my books--you and I definitely have a mutual admiration socieyt--and I love the conversations we have. Celia
Posted by: Celia Yeary | August 27, 2011 at 04:02 PM
Celica, this was a very interesting blog. I enjoyed it very much as I have enjoyed all of your blogs. But I enjoy your wonderful books even more. I'm looking forward to the next book in progress. Liinda
Posted by: Linda Swift | August 27, 2011 at 01:00 PM
Great interview. I enjoyed reading about Celia.
Posted by: don Helin | August 27, 2011 at 09:28 AM
Thanks, Caroline. Maybe, one of these days, we'll do it again.
Posted by: Dac Crossley | August 26, 2011 at 06:30 PM
Celia, your new books sounds intriguing. Can hardly wait to read it. Best wishes for many sales!
Dac, I loved your post on the Sweethearts of the West blog. I hope you'll be our guest again soon.
Posted by: Caroline Clemmons | August 26, 2011 at 06:15 PM
Steph--I'm rarely, if ever bored. That's one thing I've never been able to stand--I must do something! The urge to write came at the perfect time in my life.
Thanks so much for visiting me and Dac. Celia
Posted by: Celia Yeary | August 26, 2011 at 05:00 PM
Paisley--I did not know Margaret Mitchell began the same way. It is very nice to have a supportive husband, I can attest to that fact.
Thank you for the compliment about SOTW--we just love our blog, and you're sort of the headliner. I thank you so much for your well-thought-out posts each month. They are quite popular.
Celia
Posted by: Celia Yeary | August 26, 2011 at 04:59 PM
Hi, James--yes--we love Texas Stories, and there are many possibilities....so little time...Celia
Posted by: Celia Yeary | August 26, 2011 at 04:56 PM
Angela--I'm thrilled you like books set in Texas--every one of mine are, even if they're contemporary or historical. But I've never had anyone to comment on my hair! My hair will do one thing--this--and it pretty much looks the same wet or dry.Happy reading--Celia
Posted by: Celia Yeary | August 26, 2011 at 04:55 PM
Thank you, Genie...I really enjoy finding someone who has read at least one of my books--and I sure do like the word "love." Celia
Posted by: Celia Yeary | August 26, 2011 at 04:52 PM
You do realize Margaret Mitchell started writing the same way you did. I am thinking we should bless the husbands who are so farsighted.
You and Caroline have done a great job getting us in line for our posts of Sweethearts of the West. I am so glad to be part of the group.
Posted by: Paisley Kirkpatrick | August 26, 2011 at 03:48 PM
Celia, I bet you haven't been bored since you started writing, Sweetie! Your World War I book sounds very interesting. Congrats on you've accomplished with your writing.
Smiles
Steph
Posted by: Stephanie Burkhart | August 26, 2011 at 02:42 PM
Yay Texas based stories ! Go Celia !
Posted by: James Allder | August 26, 2011 at 02:23 PM
I have a fondness for books set in Texas for no real reason, I just like them. And BTW, I love your hair, Celia!
Posted by: Angela K Roe | August 26, 2011 at 10:45 AM
Nice! I'm not a Texan, but I love Celia's books.
Posted by: Genie | August 26, 2011 at 10:04 AM