Toni Shiloh: On Writing

You know that excitement you get when you’ve just purchased a brand-new book? When you finally have a moment to yourself and you open the pages of a read from your favorite author? That perfectly sums up my childhood and feelings toward books. I grew up reading as much as I could and read series faithfully, such as Nancy Drew, The Baby-Sitter’s Club, Sweet Valley High, and more. Always, I searched for the romance between the hero and heroine, and my heart grew full seeing two people come together in what felt like impossible odds.

That love of story remained with me as I grew up. When I decided to get my English degree in the early 2010s, my love of writing felt safe to emerge from the quiet dreams I had kept to myself. My creative writing professor encouraged my gift of storytelling and I began to think that one day, I could write a novel.

In 2014, I made a New Year’s resolution (my one and last) to finish writing a book from start to finish. It was difficult because I had two children who needed my time and attention. But those precious moments of naptime meant I had the opportunity to write a story that God placed on my heart. When I wrote The End, other authors I had begun to make friendships with gave the old adage: write another book.

So I did.

I’ve been published for ten years now. I’m a hybrid author, which means I publish my own books independently (indie) as well as through a traditional publisher. My road has not been the typical one. I started off as an indie author and a lot of people told me that meant my path to traditionally being published was now closed to me. But I studied the craft, went to many conferences, and gained confidence in my gift through kind reviews from faithful readers to feedback from my critique partners.

In 2020, I signed a two-book contract with Bethany House publishers. I will never forget that feeling, knowing they wanted to offer me a contract for two royal books I had dreamt of. Both of those books (In Search of a Prince and To Win a Prince) also went on to win Christy awards. 

This month, I’ll celebrate the release of my thirty-third book. I never imagined my writing life would be like this. Honestly, my dream was pretty simple: write a book that would glorify the Lord. I had no idea that God would lead me to teach writing workshops, win awards, and write more books than I had previously imagined. Now I just hope that I have the time to write all the book ideas that are constantly popping up in my mind.

I want to encourage you, if you have a secret dream of writing, if you believe that it’s not possible, or even if someone has hurt you when you shared your dreams . . . please know it’s never too late to start writing. Writing wasn’t my first career, I spent time serving in the USAF and had a couple of civilian jobs afterwards. It wasn’t until I was in my thirties that I started writing full-time. Even then, my kids were my number one priority, so my writing had to fit in with their schedule.

I independently published before I knew all the ins and outs. Unfortunately, I also had many people who were intent on telling me why I wouldn’t be a success versus championing my dreams. If you have people in your life like that, ignore them. Hard work, perseverance, and a love of reading will help you more than anything. Go to that writing conference. Read that writing craft book. Continue to read in your favorite genre or in the genre you wish to write in. Every spare moment you have, write a little bit. You can write more words in ten minutes than you can in none. Eventually, you’ll get to write The End and you’ll have a book. You’ll accomplish something that many people rarely do. That is something worth celebrating.

Find a community of writers who will be your cheerleaders and also mentor you toward greater things. Your people are out there and so are your readers. Not every reader will love your work but that’s not important, because your reader is out there. They’re ready to support every work you pen and tell the world how amazing you are. You’ll find one, then two, then too many to count. Persevere, my friend.

And if you have no aspirations of writing but you love a good romance book, please continue to support your favorite authors. Share with your friends about why you love their books. Write a quick review when you’ve finished reading (“I loved this book” is a perfect review.). You can support them by joining their newsletters and/or following them on social media. Preordering their books also goes a long way in supporting them, because now the publishers know how many people are wanting that book/author.

My writing career would be nothing without the readers who have supported me since I hit publish on my very first book. If you’re new to my writing, please know this: I write Christian contemporary romance. That means my books have no swear words and intimacy is not implied or implied behind a closed-door. It means that my characters will struggle with some aspect of their faith and grow closer to the Lord by the end of the book. You’ll get swoony moments between the hero and heroine and a good dose of laughter as they find their way to each other.

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Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and a Christian contemporary romance writer. Once she understood the powerful saving grace of the love of Christ, she was moved to honor her Savior.

She writes soulfully romantic novels to bring Him glory and to learn more about His goodness.

Before pursuing her dream as a writer, Toni served in the United States Air Force. It was there she met her husband. After countless moves, they ended up in Virginia, where they are raising their teen boys.

When she’s not typing in imagination land, Toni enjoys reading, playing video games, ​watching K-dramas, and spending time with ​her family.

Toni is a member of the American Christian ​Fiction Writers (ACFW), the Virginia ​Chapter, and Faith, Hope, & Love Christian Writers (FHL).

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HEARTS ON THE FLY

Jabari Hall has spent his entire life chasing victory on the ice–but one devastating hit leaves him benched, not just from hockey but from the future he thought he had. Now, as he struggles with deteriorating eyesight, his well-meaning teammates set him up on a date, hoping it will cheer him up–only the date they choose is none other than Val Elliott, his ex’s sister.

Val never expected to be sitting across from Jabari, especially after the way he broke her sister’s heart. But when Jabari opens up about his diagnosis, Val’s guarded heart softens, and she offers him a listening ear. What begins as a simple friendship quickly turns into something more.

As Jabari navigates life off the ice, he’s drawn to Val in ways he didn’t expect. With her loyalty to her family on the line and Jabari searching for faith and a new purpose, can they make it to the goal together, or will their hearts wind up in the penalty box?

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Tags: featured, women writers

Category: On Writing