Social Media Monday: Meet April Gardner

Yay! I'm so excited to get to introduce you all to one of my favorite people, April Gardner. April, tell us about you:

Here’s a snap-shot of my life—I’ve been married 13 years to the USAF’s smartest computer geek. And the hottest. (Grin.) We have two amazing, elementary-age kids. One boy. One girl. We are America’s perfect family…at least until we take a road trip and inevitably end up trying to strangle each other.

I have the great blessing of being able to devote myself full-time to writing. Somehow, I still struggle finding hours in the day to actually write. It boggles my mind how other writers who work even part-time jobs manage to ever finish a book. I greatly admire them.

What genre do you write, and what are you working on right now?

My slogan is “History with a Christian perspective…and a little imagination.” I don’t read exclusively historical, but it’s definitely my fave. Right now, I’m hammering away at Warring Spirits, book two in my Creek Country Saga. I’m loving it and can’t wait to share!!

I've read some of it and I can say, it's looking real good--can't wait to see the finished product! Okay now it's time to share how you and I met?

If I remember correctly, you started commenting on my blog. Our relationship really got going when we spent the day on Facebook coming up with a name for my sequel. You were such amazing help! I don’t think I went with any of the names we were tossing around, but you sure helped me eliminate a lot of duds!

Surely MY suggestions weren't the duds? LOL j/k I know what you meant! Any interesting stories about the two of us?

I truly believe God placed you in my path for a purpose. He knew I would need you one day as my assistant editor at Clash of the Titles. At the time, Clash of the Titles existed only in God’s mind, but He knew who the site would need and paved the way. I’m so glad He did!

I have always been in awe over God whispering to you to ask me on board. I've felt His fingerprints were all over my involvement with COTT as well as my friendship with you. =) So what's the most exciting thing that has happened this year, relating to your writing?

Well, it didn’t technically happen this year, but the last day of November, my debut novel, Wounded Spirits, made the Amazon best-seller list. Talk about a high!

I remember that day! Wow, has it been six months already? How has social media affected your marketing strategy?

Since Wounded Spirits is only available for on-line purchase, I could never sell it without social media. My marketing platform would be non-existent. Thank you, Mark Zuckerburg!

What advice would you give to other aspiring authors?

Never, ever assume you’ve “arrived.” As long as you are writing, your skills will continue to need improvement and growth. If you think anything other than this, you are in for a rude awakening. Trust me. I know!

Good advice! Can you share a snippet from your latest project?
How fun!

 An Indian, head shaved on the sides, loped from the front of the column toward Phillip. His black hair, collected into a long tail, flipped through the air behind him. His face was a solemn, purposeful mask and he clutched a tomahawk, as if ready for battle. But with whom?

A drumbeat sounded from nearby.

Phillip braced himself, gripping the barrel of his rifle. Sweat dripped into his eye, but he refused to blink and miss even one of this warrior’s breaths.

The Indians had caught him unawares before. Never again.

As the man neared, the path cleared before him. Ahead, a commotion scattered the column.
This was it. The moment Phillip had been dreading. One swing of this warrior’s blade would be the signal for the rest to attack.

By sundown, every last American scalp would dangle from a pole. Unless he did something to stop it.

The drum increased its tempo. He was back at Fort Mims, the fires licking at his heels. The world narrowed to the warrior streaking toward him. Phillip had known better than to trust these savages, but Colonel Clinch hadn’t listened.

He should give some sort of call to battle, but his brain was numb. Breath ragged, Phillip raised his weapon to shoulder height and pointed the barrel at the warrior’s chest. His sweaty finger trembled against the cool trigger, waiting for the red man to raise his tomahawk.


Wow, thanks for that intense peek at the book. If you want to read Book One, Wounded Spirits, click the cover image above. I've read it and given a copy to my mom and we both are looking forward to Book Two! Before we go, how can people connect with you? 
www.aprilgardner.com
www.aprilwgardner.blogspot.com