PUBLISHED GRAD

What are the names of your books? Who is the publisher?
A Marriage of Convenience (Alabama Brides Book 1)

A Marriage Worth Waiting For (Alabama Brides Book 2)

Cowgirls Don’t Cry

A Match Made For Christmas

Camellia’s Smile

I am a self-published author and all of these titles were published under my own logo, Magnolia Charm Publishing.

Just One Kiss, publisher– Forget Me Not Romances, a division of Winged Publication

Tell us a bit about your path to publishing, from idea to submission to published book.

I started out with an agent, but eventually decided to take the path of self-publishing. A choice that I am very well pleased with. Since August of 2014, I have published six books. My last book was just released in March, by Winged Publication to be included in the boxed set, Runaway Bride.

How long have you been writing?
Since I was thirteen years-old. I still remember the day that I realized I wanted to be a writer. I had watched a movie, and I didn’t like how it ended. So, I slipped off into my bedroom and re-wrote the entire story, but with a happy ending. That was the beginning of my life-long love of crafting stories.

What’s your favorite genre to write and why?
Contemporary Romance

What ICL courses have your taken?
Breaking Into Print.

How has taking our course helped your writing and/or career?

I had no idea where to even begin to pursue a writing career until I enrolled in the course. I learned the most valuable information that I needed which lead me down the path to becoming a published author.

Have any of your class assignments been published?

No.

Do you have a favorite writing tip you’d like to share?
Write, write, and write some more. I set a daily word count that I obligate myself to every time I start a new story. I also have a word count journal that keeps me on track.

If you could travel back in time and give yourself one piece of writing advice, how far back would you go, and what would you tell yourself?
I would travel back in time to when I first started writing and tell myself to keep all the stories I write and not to throw them all away.

Tell us about your favorite place to write and what time of day you are most productive in your writing.
My favorite place to write is outdoors on my back deck. I’d say between the hours of 8:00 am until 3:00 pm is my favorite time to write.

Please tell us the best or most valuable thing you learned from your experience with ICL.

The course taught me how to have confidence in myself and my writing. I had the most amazing instructor by the name of Debby Mayne. I know if it had not been for her and this course, I would not be where I am today in my writing career. I am truly living my dream.

Are you ever too old to chase after your dreams?

NO!

Debra Lynn Collins is an Amazon’s no#1 best selling author. She lives in Alabama with her real life hero of 36 years and her teenage grand-daughter. She is a wife, mother, grandmother, and a pastor’s wife. Debra is also an active member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers)