INTERVIEW WITH
INSPIRATIONAL, HISTORICAL AUTHOR
KATE BRESLIN
Thanks so much for joining us, Kate. I recently read your novel, Not by Sight, and was completed enamored by your plot and characters.
Cynthia, I’m so glad you enjoyed the story and thank you for allowing me to share with your readers!
Can you share a bit about your writing journey thus far?
I spent twenty years writing, completing three manuscripts and proposals for several others, before I finally landed my first publishing contract. At first I wrote for the general romance market and while I came close to publication, God had different plans for me. I was a Prodigal daughter at the time, returning to my faith, and eventually I began to take a serious look at my stories and what I really wanted to put out into the world. It took a while, probably due to my Irish stubbornness—before I finally reached a crossroads in my journey. It was then I put the old stories away in a drawer and pursued new ones, inspiring tales of courage and faith and always writing with God in mind. Once I finished my first inspirational novel, For Such A Time, I was blessed to find a great agent, and receive publication with Bethany House. Since then my second novel, Not By Sight, released last August, and I’m busy working away on a third.
What have been your highs and lows along the way?
Well, when I think of the lows, rejection letters come to mind. I’ve included a photo of my stack of rejections, or “redirections” as they’re called, over the past twenty years and it’s the equivalent of a novel’s worth of paper. Yet I keep them to remind me of where I’ve been in my journey; those times that, after I had a good cry, I picked myself up and kept plugging away in pursuit of my dream. They’re the proof of my progress over so many years. Often we writers forget that we had to complete our body of work in order to submit it to an agent or editor in the first place. That’s huge! It’s easy to talk about writing, or just stare at an empty computer screen. Writing plausible fiction (and writing non-fiction) is a challenging vocation. It’s often solitary, taking months or years to complete. Each little step along the way that gets us closer to publication is something to celebrate!
As for highs, I’d say contracting with Bethany House for my first novel ranks at the top. There were other moments too, like “getting the call” from my very first agent, years ago, and my first novel, a Scottish historical romance, being a finalist RWA’s Golden Heart contest. Most recently my biggest thrill was when my first inspirational novel, For Such A Time, won ACFW’s 2015 Carol Award for Debut novel. Let me tell you, I was over the moon!
That's awesome, Kate! And such an encouragement to those of us who are still waiting to be published. This was my first WWI novel, and it was wonderful to be transported back to that new place and time. Can you tell us what most intrigues you about this era and why you chose it?
I confess I’m a die-hard fan of the PBS series, Downton Abbey, so when I chose the storyline for my second novel, I knew I wanted to write in the era. Yet I was amazed to learn how much went on in Britain and around the world during that time. It was the age of modernization as the end of the Edwardian era ushered in Women’s Suffrage and the industrial boom. A shift in thinking about a “woman’s place” began with the onset of WWI as men took off in droves to do their duty and fight, leaving the ladies to stay behind and take up the slack. Many worked in factories making munitions and shrapnel for the soldiers overseas, while others drove ambulances at the Front. Many worked as nurses, became policewomen, or provided manual labor in the fields. Women took over so many previously exclusive “male” occupations during the war that afterward, it helped in winning their right to vote.
You’ve created some memorable side-characters, each having their own distinct qualities. How well do you know your characters before you put them on the page? Do you have a favorite?
Thank you, Cynthia! I admit, before I start a new project I know the names of my characters, and perhaps their hair and eye color and place in the world, but they usually don’t develop their personalities until I’m well into the writing. Being a romance author, I always love my heroes and heroines first; however, I do have favorites among my secondary characters. In my first novel, For Such A Time, I loved little Joseph, not only for his ten-year-old cunning and courage, but that he maintained his childlike innocence living in a precarious situation during an horrific time in history. In Not By Sight, I think I resonated most with Clare Danner’s personality. While seeming a tough nut to crack, she had many wonderful qualities beneath the surface.
I agree! I'm amazed how you weave the slightest of details into your novels, making seemingly unimportant happenings (a laugh, a feather) become paramount as the story unfolds. Do you predetermine such intricate details from the start, or do they come together as you write?
I’m a plotter and like to outline my stories before I start writing, so yes, there are times I’ll tie a gesture into something important later. But there are also times, God-moments, when a metaphor seems to come together without my interference. The feather in my novel was inspired by a scene in the second season of Downton Abbey, when two suffragettes crashed a benefit concert at the Crawley home and handed out white feathers of cowardice to the chauffeur, Tom Branson and to the second footman, William Mason. Young Mason felt shamed by the gesture and was prompted to enlist and go off to fight, a decision that was to have serious consequences.
Historical is my favorite genre. What inspired you to become an inspirational historical writer, rather than a contemporary one? Have you always had a love for history?
To be honest, I used to daydream during history class. All those boring dates to remember! Years later however, I discovered my first historical romance novel and found I loved getting a history lesson without feeling like I was getting a history lesson. Thanks to all of those authors who inspired me, I embraced history and finally decided to try writing my own novels. I’ve found through the years I love doing the research best, and usually have to put myself on a timer. Seriously though, being able to write a novel readers can enjoy and provide them with a new and unique view on the past is very rewarding for me.
I’m eager to read more of your work. Can you give us a glimpse into what you’re working on at present and when we can expect to see it on the market?
My next novel for Bethany House is another WWI romance, involving more intrigue and taking place in 1917 Brussels. Readers of Not By Sight will recognize a character or two in this new novel! I’m still working the manuscript, so I can’t say more right now, but the book is scheduled for release in summer of 2017.
Sounds great! Can't wait to read it. One more important question. How do you weave the spiritual aspects into the story? Do you have an overall Scripture verse or theme you want to get across to readers?
As I start research for each novel, and think about my characters, the faith concept begins to emerge and then develops as I write the story. With my first novel, For Such A Time, as a Biblical retelling from the Book of Esther (set during WWII) the spiritual message was pretty much already established. With my second novel, Not By Sight, it was a verse from Scripture, 2 Cor. 5:7, that inspired me to explore Jack’s blindness to faith and Grace’s blindness to the truth. In the end, I always trust God will give me the words He wants me to convey, and that once they’re on the page, it all makes sense.
Thanks so much for sharing with us today, Kate. God bless your writing journey!
Thank you so much, Cynthia! And you as well.
Cynthia, I’m so glad you enjoyed the story and thank you for allowing me to share with your readers!
Can you share a bit about your writing journey thus far?
I spent twenty years writing, completing three manuscripts and proposals for several others, before I finally landed my first publishing contract. At first I wrote for the general romance market and while I came close to publication, God had different plans for me. I was a Prodigal daughter at the time, returning to my faith, and eventually I began to take a serious look at my stories and what I really wanted to put out into the world. It took a while, probably due to my Irish stubbornness—before I finally reached a crossroads in my journey. It was then I put the old stories away in a drawer and pursued new ones, inspiring tales of courage and faith and always writing with God in mind. Once I finished my first inspirational novel, For Such A Time, I was blessed to find a great agent, and receive publication with Bethany House. Since then my second novel, Not By Sight, released last August, and I’m busy working away on a third.
What have been your highs and lows along the way?
Well, when I think of the lows, rejection letters come to mind. I’ve included a photo of my stack of rejections, or “redirections” as they’re called, over the past twenty years and it’s the equivalent of a novel’s worth of paper. Yet I keep them to remind me of where I’ve been in my journey; those times that, after I had a good cry, I picked myself up and kept plugging away in pursuit of my dream. They’re the proof of my progress over so many years. Often we writers forget that we had to complete our body of work in order to submit it to an agent or editor in the first place. That’s huge! It’s easy to talk about writing, or just stare at an empty computer screen. Writing plausible fiction (and writing non-fiction) is a challenging vocation. It’s often solitary, taking months or years to complete. Each little step along the way that gets us closer to publication is something to celebrate!
As for highs, I’d say contracting with Bethany House for my first novel ranks at the top. There were other moments too, like “getting the call” from my very first agent, years ago, and my first novel, a Scottish historical romance, being a finalist RWA’s Golden Heart contest. Most recently my biggest thrill was when my first inspirational novel, For Such A Time, won ACFW’s 2015 Carol Award for Debut novel. Let me tell you, I was over the moon!
That's awesome, Kate! And such an encouragement to those of us who are still waiting to be published. This was my first WWI novel, and it was wonderful to be transported back to that new place and time. Can you tell us what most intrigues you about this era and why you chose it?
I confess I’m a die-hard fan of the PBS series, Downton Abbey, so when I chose the storyline for my second novel, I knew I wanted to write in the era. Yet I was amazed to learn how much went on in Britain and around the world during that time. It was the age of modernization as the end of the Edwardian era ushered in Women’s Suffrage and the industrial boom. A shift in thinking about a “woman’s place” began with the onset of WWI as men took off in droves to do their duty and fight, leaving the ladies to stay behind and take up the slack. Many worked in factories making munitions and shrapnel for the soldiers overseas, while others drove ambulances at the Front. Many worked as nurses, became policewomen, or provided manual labor in the fields. Women took over so many previously exclusive “male” occupations during the war that afterward, it helped in winning their right to vote.
You’ve created some memorable side-characters, each having their own distinct qualities. How well do you know your characters before you put them on the page? Do you have a favorite?
Thank you, Cynthia! I admit, before I start a new project I know the names of my characters, and perhaps their hair and eye color and place in the world, but they usually don’t develop their personalities until I’m well into the writing. Being a romance author, I always love my heroes and heroines first; however, I do have favorites among my secondary characters. In my first novel, For Such A Time, I loved little Joseph, not only for his ten-year-old cunning and courage, but that he maintained his childlike innocence living in a precarious situation during an horrific time in history. In Not By Sight, I think I resonated most with Clare Danner’s personality. While seeming a tough nut to crack, she had many wonderful qualities beneath the surface.
I agree! I'm amazed how you weave the slightest of details into your novels, making seemingly unimportant happenings (a laugh, a feather) become paramount as the story unfolds. Do you predetermine such intricate details from the start, or do they come together as you write?
I’m a plotter and like to outline my stories before I start writing, so yes, there are times I’ll tie a gesture into something important later. But there are also times, God-moments, when a metaphor seems to come together without my interference. The feather in my novel was inspired by a scene in the second season of Downton Abbey, when two suffragettes crashed a benefit concert at the Crawley home and handed out white feathers of cowardice to the chauffeur, Tom Branson and to the second footman, William Mason. Young Mason felt shamed by the gesture and was prompted to enlist and go off to fight, a decision that was to have serious consequences.
Historical is my favorite genre. What inspired you to become an inspirational historical writer, rather than a contemporary one? Have you always had a love for history?
To be honest, I used to daydream during history class. All those boring dates to remember! Years later however, I discovered my first historical romance novel and found I loved getting a history lesson without feeling like I was getting a history lesson. Thanks to all of those authors who inspired me, I embraced history and finally decided to try writing my own novels. I’ve found through the years I love doing the research best, and usually have to put myself on a timer. Seriously though, being able to write a novel readers can enjoy and provide them with a new and unique view on the past is very rewarding for me.
I’m eager to read more of your work. Can you give us a glimpse into what you’re working on at present and when we can expect to see it on the market?
My next novel for Bethany House is another WWI romance, involving more intrigue and taking place in 1917 Brussels. Readers of Not By Sight will recognize a character or two in this new novel! I’m still working the manuscript, so I can’t say more right now, but the book is scheduled for release in summer of 2017.
Sounds great! Can't wait to read it. One more important question. How do you weave the spiritual aspects into the story? Do you have an overall Scripture verse or theme you want to get across to readers?
As I start research for each novel, and think about my characters, the faith concept begins to emerge and then develops as I write the story. With my first novel, For Such A Time, as a Biblical retelling from the Book of Esther (set during WWII) the spiritual message was pretty much already established. With my second novel, Not By Sight, it was a verse from Scripture, 2 Cor. 5:7, that inspired me to explore Jack’s blindness to faith and Grace’s blindness to the truth. In the end, I always trust God will give me the words He wants me to convey, and that once they’re on the page, it all makes sense.
Thanks so much for sharing with us today, Kate. God bless your writing journey!
Thank you so much, Cynthia! And you as well.
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Former bookseller-turned-author Kate Breslin enjoys life in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and family. A writer of travel articles and award-winning poetry, Kate received Christian Retailing's 2015 Best Award for First Time Author and her debut novel, For Such A Time, won the 2015 Carol award for Debut Novel. Kate's second novel, Not By Sight released in August, 2015. When she's not writing inspirational fiction, Kate enjoys reading or taking long walks in Washington's beautiful woodlands. She also likes traveling to new places, both within the U.S. and abroad, having toured Greece, Rome, and much of Western Europe. New destinations make for fresh story ideas. Please visit her at www.katebreslin.com.
Contact info:
Website: www.katebreslin.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KateBreslinAuthor?ref=hl
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Kate_Breslin
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/katelbreslin/
WHERE TO BUY: Available at most bookstores, and for online shopping, please visit http://katebreslin.com/books/ and click on your favorite store purchase link.
Flap copy for Not By Sight-
In the spring of 1917, all of Britain's attention is on the WWI war front and the thousands of young men serving their country on the front lines. Jack Benningham, dashing heir to the Earl of Stonebrooke, is young and able-bodied but refuses to enlist despite the contempt of his peers.
A wealthy young suffragette, Grace Mabry will do anything to assist her country's cause. Men like Jack infuriate her when she thinks of her own brother fighting in the trenches of France, so she has no reservations about handing him a white feather of cowardice at a posh masquerade ball.
But Grace could not anticipate the danger and betrayal set into motion by her actions, and soon she and Jack are forced to learn the true meaning of courage when the war raging overseas suddenly strikes much closer to home and their fervent beliefs become a matter of life and death.
Endorsements
"Downton Abbey meets The Scarlet Pimpernel in Kate Breslin's wonderful historical novel set amidst the drama of England's World War I home front." Elizabeth Camden, RITA and Christy Award-winning author
"Not by Sight will sweep you away . . . Kate Breslin brings us another story that will touch our hearts and lift our spirits." Carrie Turansky, award-winning author of Surrendered Hearts and A Refuge at Highland Hall
"Kate Breslin continues to define excellence in storytelling with complex characters and deeply researched themes. . . . Not by Sight is a tender story of love and the enduring power of faith to guide us--even when the road to healing remains unseen." Kristy Cambron, author of The Butterfly and the Violin and A Sparrow in Terezin
Reviews
"Set in Great Britain during the first World War, readers will feel that they have been transported to the world of Downton Abbey. With a great deal of romance, along with intrigue, espionage, and suspense, Breslin creates a tale difficult to put down until its touching, soul-satisfying ending." RT Book Reviews
"Breslin has done her research, unfolding her story with impeccable attention to historical detail. Adding to the novel's pleasures are a lush rural English setting, absorbing protagonists, and a moving, suspenseful plot. The emotional and spiritual growth of Grace and Jack as they struggle with threat and betrayal makes for an engrossing read for fans of historical romantic suspense." Library Journal
"Breslin's research and attention to historical detail is impeccable. Britain in 1917 comes alive with lush landscapes, colorful period costumes and cultural references. The hero and heroine are compelling, their romance emotionally satisfying and the plot absorbing. Readers of historical romance will thoroughly enjoy this tale set in Downton Abbey-era surroundings." BookPage
Resources
Contact info:
Website: www.katebreslin.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KateBreslinAuthor?ref=hl
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Kate_Breslin
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/katelbreslin/
WHERE TO BUY: Available at most bookstores, and for online shopping, please visit http://katebreslin.com/books/ and click on your favorite store purchase link.
Flap copy for Not By Sight-
In the spring of 1917, all of Britain's attention is on the WWI war front and the thousands of young men serving their country on the front lines. Jack Benningham, dashing heir to the Earl of Stonebrooke, is young and able-bodied but refuses to enlist despite the contempt of his peers.
A wealthy young suffragette, Grace Mabry will do anything to assist her country's cause. Men like Jack infuriate her when she thinks of her own brother fighting in the trenches of France, so she has no reservations about handing him a white feather of cowardice at a posh masquerade ball.
But Grace could not anticipate the danger and betrayal set into motion by her actions, and soon she and Jack are forced to learn the true meaning of courage when the war raging overseas suddenly strikes much closer to home and their fervent beliefs become a matter of life and death.
Endorsements
"Downton Abbey meets The Scarlet Pimpernel in Kate Breslin's wonderful historical novel set amidst the drama of England's World War I home front." Elizabeth Camden, RITA and Christy Award-winning author
"Not by Sight will sweep you away . . . Kate Breslin brings us another story that will touch our hearts and lift our spirits." Carrie Turansky, award-winning author of Surrendered Hearts and A Refuge at Highland Hall
"Kate Breslin continues to define excellence in storytelling with complex characters and deeply researched themes. . . . Not by Sight is a tender story of love and the enduring power of faith to guide us--even when the road to healing remains unseen." Kristy Cambron, author of The Butterfly and the Violin and A Sparrow in Terezin
Reviews
"Set in Great Britain during the first World War, readers will feel that they have been transported to the world of Downton Abbey. With a great deal of romance, along with intrigue, espionage, and suspense, Breslin creates a tale difficult to put down until its touching, soul-satisfying ending." RT Book Reviews
"Breslin has done her research, unfolding her story with impeccable attention to historical detail. Adding to the novel's pleasures are a lush rural English setting, absorbing protagonists, and a moving, suspenseful plot. The emotional and spiritual growth of Grace and Jack as they struggle with threat and betrayal makes for an engrossing read for fans of historical romantic suspense." Library Journal
"Breslin's research and attention to historical detail is impeccable. Britain in 1917 comes alive with lush landscapes, colorful period costumes and cultural references. The hero and heroine are compelling, their romance emotionally satisfying and the plot absorbing. Readers of historical romance will thoroughly enjoy this tale set in Downton Abbey-era surroundings." BookPage
Resources
- Excerpt Download PDF
- Book Announcement Download PDF
- Author Q & A Download PDF
Interview with Inspirational Author
Sandi Rog
Hi Sandi, Thanks for joining us today! I absolutely loved this book! What a fun read!! Thanks so much, Cynthia. Glad you enjoyed it. You had an interesting childhood, with your love for words showing up at an early age. Tell us a bit about your early experiences with writing. Cynthia, First of all, thank you so much for having me. It’s an honor to be here. What’s funny is my love for writing didn’t start with “words.” Instead, it started with “stories.” As a child when it was time for bed, I’d dive under my covers and come up with stories in my mind. I’d be a princess escaping an evil enemy, running from her castle through the woods and getting captured by a hero, a prince, a woodsman, or whoever. I’d also dream up stories where I was the heroine rescuing someone from a violent fire. It wasn’t until later that I realized this is one quality that makes for a “storyteller.” I like to put elements into my stories that I would love to read. I’m afraid if I don’t love what I write, my readers will pick up on my lack of passion and we’ll all be miserable. :-) That’s a great way to look at it! Your journey to publishing has gone through various stages. Can you share a little about this venture? What were some of the high and low spots? That’s hard to say as my first book THE MASTER’S WALL was released the very day they told me I had cancer. I never got to experience all the joys of having a book published: book signings, talks, etc. Marketing my book was an impossible task. I wasn’t allowed to go out in public, plus, I was too sick, too weak to do so. This carried on into my second and third publications, YAHSHUA’S BRIDGE and WALKS ALONE, as they were released while I was still battling cancer (they had all been written before I got sick). So . . . the highs and lows of publishing turned into friends swooping in to carry me and my books through the battlefield. Numerous writer friends, and people I didn’t even know, announced my book on their blogs and websites. Family friends who aren’t Christians even took my books to a book signing I’d scheduled before my diagnosis at Mardel’s (I signed all my books on a sticker and they used those “signed” books at my “book signing”). This changed my life in that I realized what was truly important. Not publishing a book, but love, prayers, and that there are people in this world who will bend over backwards, upside down, and inside out to help someone in need. I’d realized during that time that writing had become my idol. Yes, this was another blessing that God revealed from adversity. Since then, I’m learning to find balance. Put God first, my husband and children second, and my writing third. There’s a lesson in that for all of us. Thanks for sharing! It’s obvious you have a love for adventure and diversity. You’ve written four books, each of them containing vastly different plots and characters--everything from Egyptian slaves, to Roman soldiers, to Cheyenne warriors. What drives your creativity? How do you choose where and when your novels will take place? I choose what inspires me at that time. I love historical novels and escaping into the past. I also love going anywhere I want to go (in time and place), be anything I want to be, and doing anything I want to do through my characters and from the pages of my novels. But more importantly, God has to be in my books. I couldn’t write one without Him in it. He’s my Joy, my Helper, and my Friend. So, most of my books are about overcoming life’s trials with God’s help. OUT OF THE ASHES is a “light historical romance.” My previous books are very “deep.” Not that this one isn’t, but it’s shorter, won’t make you cry in the middle of the story, and has a happy-ending. I needed to write something “light” because I just came out of a major battle with cancer, nearly losing my life twice, and I just needed to write something that was fun and would make me (and others) smile. Cancer was a rough ride, but there were many blessings in disguise that God showered upon us in my recovery, not just physical healing, but healing in my marriage and for our entire family in unimaginable ways. So . . . I’m grateful to God for allowing me to write OUT OF THE ASHES. I honestly feel like I just stepped out of the ashes of cancer, into a life raining down blessings. I wasn’t sure if I’d ever be able to write again because of chemo-brain. It’s a side-affect of chemo/radiation, a foggy forgetfulness that seems to take over and makes it difficult to concentrate, and it can last years after the treatments. It’s all because of God and His tender mercies that I’m still here and able to write. That’s the one common thread which ties all your books together—an element of faith. What takeaway values do you strive to weave into your stories? My novels tend to all have the same theme: overcoming adversity and forgiveness. The title for OUT OF THE ASHES has a double meaning: physically (for Nathaniel) and spiritually (for Amelia). Nathaniel’s story is about his experience in the aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire, while Amelia’s story is her escape from an abusive father. Your newest novel, Out of the Ashes, just released in June, 2015. What most excites you about this newest project? What future projects can we look forward to seeing? I think what excites me the most is the fact that I can actually write again. I really wasn’t sure if I’d be able to after everything I’ve been through. I also love romance and excitement, and with my story opening up with a shotgun wedding scene, I think that captures quite a bit of both. Here’s the book jacket blurb: A stranger. A kiss. A shotgun wedding. NATHANIEL WARD, wealthy entrepreneur, needs a wife. But he’s not interested in the preening, high-society women who are offered to him on a silver platter. He wants one woman, and one woman alone: the girl who gave him all the money in her reticule years ago when the Great Chicago Fire left him destitute. He sets out to find this woman and discovers she’s unattached. There’s only one problem, a shotgun wedding may be able to bind them, but will he ever be able to win her heart? AMELIA E. TAYLOR blows a kiss to a street rat. Little did she know, years later that kiss would follow her to Green Pines, Colorado. When a handsome stranger arrives in her hometown, she guards her heart from the stirrings this man ignites. Despite society’s disapproval of spinsterhood, she is determined not to marry, having witnessed first-hand the lack of love and horrors that accompany marriage. But will a shotgun wedding reveal blessings that arise out of the ashes? The sequel to OUT OF THE ASHES is titled INTO THE FIRE. It’s the story of Nathaniel’s brother, Michael. He’s a brooding, hot-tempered character who falls head-over-heals in love with the feisty, God-loving heroine, Nicolette. That sounds like another winning story! Thanks so much for being with us today, Sandi. God bless you as you continue to heal and as you further your writing journey! Thank you so much for having me. It was a pleasure to be here! BIO Sandi Rog is an international and award-winning author of The Master’s Wall, Yahshua’s Bridge, and Walks Alone. Also a mother of four, she lived in Holland for thirteen years and now lives in Colorado with her husband, children, a cat, and too many spiders. LINKS OUT OF THE ASHES Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Out-Ashes-Chicago-Fire-Book-ebook/dp/B00Z23J312/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1434232792&sr=8-1&keywords=out+of+the+ashes+by+sandi+rog Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/out-of-the-ashes-sandi-rog/1122082598?ean=2940151392174 Sandi’s previous books can be found here. THE MASTER’S WALL: http://www.amazon.com/The-Masters-Wall-Iron-Stone/dp/1936341026 YAHSHUA’S BRIDGE: http://www.amazon.com/Yahshuas-Bridge-Sandi-Rog/dp/1936341174/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_y WALKS ALONE: http://www.amazon.com/Walks-Alone-Sandi-Rog/dp/0983455651/ref=pd_sim_14_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=153F9RDD7DQNCR1EB5FC Sandi can be found at her website and her many blogs: www.sandirog.com http://sandirog.blogspot.com http://thelordslady2.blogspot.com http://beatcancerwithb17.blogspot.com |
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LAURA FRANTZ INTERVIEW
My love for Historical fiction led me to Laura, who graciously allowed me the following interview.
Laura,
When did you first know you wanted to be a writer? How long have you been writing?
My mom said I wrote my first story at age 7 about ships. But my first memory is of a novella I wrote when I was 12 after visiting Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts about a girl who lived there who liked to ice skate. I still have it tucked away in an old trunk. My handwriting hasn’t changed that much but I do hope my storytelling is somewhat better.
Who inspired you to write?
My granny, whom I dedicated The Frontiersman’s Daughter to, encouraged me to write as she shared my love of reading/history. But it was my brother, a pastor/missionary in Spain, who dared me to try publishing. I like to say I blame it all on Chris as I never set out to publish anything.
Most of your novels are set in the 18th Century. What intrigues you about this particular time period?
Most of my favorite historical figures lived in the 18th-century (George and Martha Washington, Daniel Boone, George Rogers Clark, George Whitefield, etc.). My own family history is deeply rooted there with my Scots kin coming over to Virginia as exiles and settling there and in Kentucky. Since I grew up in the area my ancestors settled and was steeped in that history, I feel a passion for that particular period over any other
What is your favorite aspect of writing?
The first draft is always my favorite. It’s a bit like falling in love – with characters, a setting, everything. The creating is bliss. Editing is sheer work to me and makes me yawn though I do like seeing the finished book come together in ways I didn’t dream of. I also love, love, love research and have to be careful to not take rabbit trails.
Of the books you have written, who stands out as your favorite character?
I confess to liking my heroes better than my very flawed heroines with the exception of Eden Lee Ballantyne. Silas Ballantyne may be a favorite but then there’s Colonel McLinn. And I do have a special fondness for Red Shirt and that rascal Jack Turlock. And then there are the two heroes coming next, James Sackett and Malachi Cameron in Love’s Fortune...
How like you are your main characters?
Wonderful question. I can honestly say I’m in each of my characters, even the villains, perhaps especially the villains. That old sinful nature is easier to write than the noble, God-honoring one. I do love godly characters and strive to be like them but it’s easier to identify with the flesh oftentimes.
You've said you enjoy creating Scotsmen as characters, what fuels your fascination with the Irish?
The Irish share that fiery, Celtic spirit like the Scots. I’ve not been to Ireland but would love to go. It’s full of those vivid greens and the turbulent, passionate history I love.
Your newest novel, Love's Fortune, is set to release in September, 2014. Could you share with us some of its storyline?
This story is set in 1850 Pennsylvania and is about a rural lass who is pitched headlong into high society against her will. It’s more character driven than plot driven and is very different from previous books. After that I return to the 18th-century. Can’t wait!
Thank you so much, Laura!
My love for Historical fiction led me to Laura, who graciously allowed me the following interview.
Laura,
When did you first know you wanted to be a writer? How long have you been writing?
My mom said I wrote my first story at age 7 about ships. But my first memory is of a novella I wrote when I was 12 after visiting Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts about a girl who lived there who liked to ice skate. I still have it tucked away in an old trunk. My handwriting hasn’t changed that much but I do hope my storytelling is somewhat better.
Who inspired you to write?
My granny, whom I dedicated The Frontiersman’s Daughter to, encouraged me to write as she shared my love of reading/history. But it was my brother, a pastor/missionary in Spain, who dared me to try publishing. I like to say I blame it all on Chris as I never set out to publish anything.
Most of your novels are set in the 18th Century. What intrigues you about this particular time period?
Most of my favorite historical figures lived in the 18th-century (George and Martha Washington, Daniel Boone, George Rogers Clark, George Whitefield, etc.). My own family history is deeply rooted there with my Scots kin coming over to Virginia as exiles and settling there and in Kentucky. Since I grew up in the area my ancestors settled and was steeped in that history, I feel a passion for that particular period over any other
What is your favorite aspect of writing?
The first draft is always my favorite. It’s a bit like falling in love – with characters, a setting, everything. The creating is bliss. Editing is sheer work to me and makes me yawn though I do like seeing the finished book come together in ways I didn’t dream of. I also love, love, love research and have to be careful to not take rabbit trails.
Of the books you have written, who stands out as your favorite character?
I confess to liking my heroes better than my very flawed heroines with the exception of Eden Lee Ballantyne. Silas Ballantyne may be a favorite but then there’s Colonel McLinn. And I do have a special fondness for Red Shirt and that rascal Jack Turlock. And then there are the two heroes coming next, James Sackett and Malachi Cameron in Love’s Fortune...
How like you are your main characters?
Wonderful question. I can honestly say I’m in each of my characters, even the villains, perhaps especially the villains. That old sinful nature is easier to write than the noble, God-honoring one. I do love godly characters and strive to be like them but it’s easier to identify with the flesh oftentimes.
You've said you enjoy creating Scotsmen as characters, what fuels your fascination with the Irish?
The Irish share that fiery, Celtic spirit like the Scots. I’ve not been to Ireland but would love to go. It’s full of those vivid greens and the turbulent, passionate history I love.
Your newest novel, Love's Fortune, is set to release in September, 2014. Could you share with us some of its storyline?
This story is set in 1850 Pennsylvania and is about a rural lass who is pitched headlong into high society against her will. It’s more character driven than plot driven and is very different from previous books. After that I return to the 18th-century. Can’t wait!
Thank you so much, Laura!
Candid Interview with Author
Ane Mulligan
Welcome Ane! It’s
such a pleasure to have you join us.
Thanks,
Cynthia, it's fun to be here. I love to travel...even if it is only virtually.
Actually, that's about the only way I go anywhere, except for writers'
conferences. Maybe a research trip is in order.
You’ve worn many hats through the years. Most recently, you’ve been my instructor in the ACFW course on Motivation and the Lie in fiction writing. I want to thank you for providing lots of meaty material to chew on. I know many others benefited from your insights as well.
When I learned about the Lie, I realized how much it effects motivation. Then I learned how much the plot is driven by the characters' motivation, and it changed my writing. My main characters in Chapel Springs Revival are totally driven by their motivations, and I found the plot arose from their decisions, especially Claire. She's a loyal friend but because of her Lie (that it's all her fault), she desires respect/worth. That plays out in how she tries to be the "savior" of the town and her family. Many of her attempts fail, due to her method of "full speed ahead," and the townsfolk laugh. She doesn't see her own worth to her friends and continues to try to gain respect/worth.
You are president of a literary blog group called Novel Rocket. Would you explain to us exactly what this site entails?
The title should probably be Chief Executive Janitor. I keep the team schedule, find new team members if someone leaves, handle advertising invoices and putting up the ads—you know general cleaning. Edie Melson is our senior editor and keeps a tight rein on all of us.
In 2002, you quit your job as a business manager to write novels. That’s a gutsy move. What/who gave you the courage to take that step?
God had been trying to get my attention for a couple of years. Tension on my job had grown so much, there were nights I'd come home in tears. Hubs would tell me to quit, but I felt a responsibility that wouldn't let me. Finally, a new vacation directive was put in place where the entire company had to take their vacations at a prescribed time. That would have prevented me from the training I got each year for my ministry at church. I had to quit.
I was going to look for another job, but Hubs told me to forget that and write a book. As soon as he said it, I knew God was using him to tell me what he'd been trying to. It was the spiritual slap upside the head I needed. I started the next day and never looked back.
Of all the professions/activities you’ve been involved in, which would you say has been most rewarding?
Absolutely without a doubt, writing. Whether plays or novels, when I can impact a life with seeds of God's Word, it's worth every edit, every hair-pulling moment when I'm drawing a blank. Through our stories, we bring our worldview, a Christian worldview, to our readers. People let down their guard when they think they're being entertained. Then when they least expect it, we can reach out and touch hearts and change lives. It doesn't get any better than that.
You’re tagline is Southern-Fried Fiction. Such a unique description begs for an explanation. Can you tell us how it came to be?
It wasn't earth shattering, but rather mundane. Through a series of emails within the American Christian Fiction Writers e-loop about voice, a fellow writer, Rose McCauley, made the comment to me, "You mean your Southern fried fiction?"
Whoa! I looked at that and thought, "Yes!" It fit my voice, my agent loved it, and I grabbed it. End of story. LOL
Your debut novel Chapel Springs Revival hit the market in September 2014 and within a few days became an Amazon Best Seller. Why do you think it resonated with so many women?
People love to laugh. Even God tells us it's good medicine. And in these trying times, it's especially important. My main character, Claire, is definitely laughable—she gets into more pickles than the Vlasic stork. But behind the laughter are some tough issues women face: concerns over kids, a soon-to-be-empty nest, and a marriage that has lost its intimacy.
You’ve a second book coming out soon in your Chapel Lake Series entitled, Chapel Springs Survival. Could you share a preview of it with us?
A 21st Century mail order bride, a town overrun with tourists, and illegal art ~ can Claire and Chapel Springs survive?
Life is good for Claire Bennett. That is until the mayor's brother blabs that her nineteen-year-old son, Wes, has secretly married a Brazilian mail order bride—one who is eight years older than him. When she tries to welcome her new daughter-in-law, Claire is ridiculed, rebuffed, and rejected. Loving this girl is like hugging a prickly cactus. Will Claire and her family survive her son's marriage?
Lydia Smith is happily living alone and running her spa—then the widow on the hill becomes a blushing bride. Along with her new marriage, she has a dream to expand her business by adding guest rooms. Things are going according to plan. That is, until her groom's adult son moves in—on everything. Will her dream survive her stepson?
From the first sighting of a country music star in the art gallery, The Painted Loon, to the visit of a Hollywood diva, Chapel Springs is inundated with stargazers, causing lifelong residents to flee the area. When her best friends, Patsy and Nathan, put their house on the market, Claire is forced to do something or lose the closest thing to a sister she’s got.
With her son's future at stake and the town looking to her to solve their problems, Claire isn't sure she can survive this whirlwind of trouble.
What do you see yourself writing next? What are your aspirations for the future, say ten years down the road?
I have so many voices in my head, and they're loud, insisting their stories be told. Chapel Springs alone could spawn another 5 or 6—at least. Besides those, my fans (I still feel strange saying that and have to pause to bask for a moment) who are in Dee's 'n' Doughs (the community I started on Facebook) have put together a cookbook by the characters in Chapel Springs Revival. My plan is to bring that out with Chapel Springs Survival.
Then I have some story ideas to set in Sugar Hill, Georgia. Don't you love that name? It's the little town closest our house. Hubs and I live in unincorporated Gwinnett County, so we've adopted Sugar Hill as our hometown, and the city council adopted us. Hubs serves on the Arts Council board, and I serve on the board of Sugar Hill Business Alliance.
It’s truly been a joy having you as a guest, Ane. May the Lord continue to bless your ministry.
Thank you so much, Cynthia. It's always fun to share with readers.
Ane’s BIO
While a large, floppy straw hat is her favorite, bestselling novelist Ane Mulligan has worn many: hairdresser, legislative affairs director (that's a fancy name for a lobbyist), drama director, playwright, humor columnist, and novelist. Her lifetime experience provides a plethora of fodder for her Southern-fried fiction. She firmly believes coffee and chocolate are two of the four major food groups. President of the award-winning literary site, Novel Rocket, Ane resides in Suwanee, GA, with her artist husband, her chef son, and two dogs of Biblical proportion. You can find Ane on her Southern-fried Fiction website, Google+, Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter, and Pinterest.
You’ve worn many hats through the years. Most recently, you’ve been my instructor in the ACFW course on Motivation and the Lie in fiction writing. I want to thank you for providing lots of meaty material to chew on. I know many others benefited from your insights as well.
When I learned about the Lie, I realized how much it effects motivation. Then I learned how much the plot is driven by the characters' motivation, and it changed my writing. My main characters in Chapel Springs Revival are totally driven by their motivations, and I found the plot arose from their decisions, especially Claire. She's a loyal friend but because of her Lie (that it's all her fault), she desires respect/worth. That plays out in how she tries to be the "savior" of the town and her family. Many of her attempts fail, due to her method of "full speed ahead," and the townsfolk laugh. She doesn't see her own worth to her friends and continues to try to gain respect/worth.
You are president of a literary blog group called Novel Rocket. Would you explain to us exactly what this site entails?
The title should probably be Chief Executive Janitor. I keep the team schedule, find new team members if someone leaves, handle advertising invoices and putting up the ads—you know general cleaning. Edie Melson is our senior editor and keeps a tight rein on all of us.
In 2002, you quit your job as a business manager to write novels. That’s a gutsy move. What/who gave you the courage to take that step?
God had been trying to get my attention for a couple of years. Tension on my job had grown so much, there were nights I'd come home in tears. Hubs would tell me to quit, but I felt a responsibility that wouldn't let me. Finally, a new vacation directive was put in place where the entire company had to take their vacations at a prescribed time. That would have prevented me from the training I got each year for my ministry at church. I had to quit.
I was going to look for another job, but Hubs told me to forget that and write a book. As soon as he said it, I knew God was using him to tell me what he'd been trying to. It was the spiritual slap upside the head I needed. I started the next day and never looked back.
Of all the professions/activities you’ve been involved in, which would you say has been most rewarding?
Absolutely without a doubt, writing. Whether plays or novels, when I can impact a life with seeds of God's Word, it's worth every edit, every hair-pulling moment when I'm drawing a blank. Through our stories, we bring our worldview, a Christian worldview, to our readers. People let down their guard when they think they're being entertained. Then when they least expect it, we can reach out and touch hearts and change lives. It doesn't get any better than that.
You’re tagline is Southern-Fried Fiction. Such a unique description begs for an explanation. Can you tell us how it came to be?
It wasn't earth shattering, but rather mundane. Through a series of emails within the American Christian Fiction Writers e-loop about voice, a fellow writer, Rose McCauley, made the comment to me, "You mean your Southern fried fiction?"
Whoa! I looked at that and thought, "Yes!" It fit my voice, my agent loved it, and I grabbed it. End of story. LOL
Your debut novel Chapel Springs Revival hit the market in September 2014 and within a few days became an Amazon Best Seller. Why do you think it resonated with so many women?
People love to laugh. Even God tells us it's good medicine. And in these trying times, it's especially important. My main character, Claire, is definitely laughable—she gets into more pickles than the Vlasic stork. But behind the laughter are some tough issues women face: concerns over kids, a soon-to-be-empty nest, and a marriage that has lost its intimacy.
You’ve a second book coming out soon in your Chapel Lake Series entitled, Chapel Springs Survival. Could you share a preview of it with us?
A 21st Century mail order bride, a town overrun with tourists, and illegal art ~ can Claire and Chapel Springs survive?
Life is good for Claire Bennett. That is until the mayor's brother blabs that her nineteen-year-old son, Wes, has secretly married a Brazilian mail order bride—one who is eight years older than him. When she tries to welcome her new daughter-in-law, Claire is ridiculed, rebuffed, and rejected. Loving this girl is like hugging a prickly cactus. Will Claire and her family survive her son's marriage?
Lydia Smith is happily living alone and running her spa—then the widow on the hill becomes a blushing bride. Along with her new marriage, she has a dream to expand her business by adding guest rooms. Things are going according to plan. That is, until her groom's adult son moves in—on everything. Will her dream survive her stepson?
From the first sighting of a country music star in the art gallery, The Painted Loon, to the visit of a Hollywood diva, Chapel Springs is inundated with stargazers, causing lifelong residents to flee the area. When her best friends, Patsy and Nathan, put their house on the market, Claire is forced to do something or lose the closest thing to a sister she’s got.
With her son's future at stake and the town looking to her to solve their problems, Claire isn't sure she can survive this whirlwind of trouble.
What do you see yourself writing next? What are your aspirations for the future, say ten years down the road?
I have so many voices in my head, and they're loud, insisting their stories be told. Chapel Springs alone could spawn another 5 or 6—at least. Besides those, my fans (I still feel strange saying that and have to pause to bask for a moment) who are in Dee's 'n' Doughs (the community I started on Facebook) have put together a cookbook by the characters in Chapel Springs Revival. My plan is to bring that out with Chapel Springs Survival.
Then I have some story ideas to set in Sugar Hill, Georgia. Don't you love that name? It's the little town closest our house. Hubs and I live in unincorporated Gwinnett County, so we've adopted Sugar Hill as our hometown, and the city council adopted us. Hubs serves on the Arts Council board, and I serve on the board of Sugar Hill Business Alliance.
It’s truly been a joy having you as a guest, Ane. May the Lord continue to bless your ministry.
Thank you so much, Cynthia. It's always fun to share with readers.
Ane’s BIO
While a large, floppy straw hat is her favorite, bestselling novelist Ane Mulligan has worn many: hairdresser, legislative affairs director (that's a fancy name for a lobbyist), drama director, playwright, humor columnist, and novelist. Her lifetime experience provides a plethora of fodder for her Southern-fried fiction. She firmly believes coffee and chocolate are two of the four major food groups. President of the award-winning literary site, Novel Rocket, Ane resides in Suwanee, GA, with her artist husband, her chef son, and two dogs of Biblical proportion. You can find Ane on her Southern-fried Fiction website, Google+, Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Chapel Springs
Revival
With a friend like Claire, you need a gurney, a mop, and a guardian angel.
Everybody in the small town of Chapel Springs, Georgia, knows best friends Claire and Patsy. It's impossible not to, what with Claire's zany antics and Patsy's self-appointed mission to keep her friend out of trouble. And trouble abounds. Chapel Springs has grown dilapidated and the tourist trade has slackened. With their livelihoods threatened, they join forces to revitalize the town. No one could have guessed the real issue needing restoration is their marriages.
With their personal lives in as much disarray as the town, Claire and Patsy embark on a mission of mishaps and miscommunication, determined to restore warmth to Chapel Springs —and their lives. That is if they can convince their husbands and the town council, led by two curmudgeons who would prefer to see Chapel Springs left in the fifties and closed to traffic.
With a friend like Claire, you need a gurney, a mop, and a guardian angel.
Everybody in the small town of Chapel Springs, Georgia, knows best friends Claire and Patsy. It's impossible not to, what with Claire's zany antics and Patsy's self-appointed mission to keep her friend out of trouble. And trouble abounds. Chapel Springs has grown dilapidated and the tourist trade has slackened. With their livelihoods threatened, they join forces to revitalize the town. No one could have guessed the real issue needing restoration is their marriages.
With their personal lives in as much disarray as the town, Claire and Patsy embark on a mission of mishaps and miscommunication, determined to restore warmth to Chapel Springs —and their lives. That is if they can convince their husbands and the town council, led by two curmudgeons who would prefer to see Chapel Springs left in the fifties and closed to traffic.
Interview with Other Favorite Inspirational Authors
Inspirational author, Jennifer
Slattery, has graciously offered to share insights regarding her new
contemporary novel, When Dawn Breaks,
which hits the market this January.
Thanks for joining us today, Jennifer.
Hi, Cynthia. Thanks for having me!
First of all, can you give us a bit of background on yourself, and how you came to be an author?
Sure! I’ve always loved to write, for writing’s sake. As a kid, I’d doodle, journal, turn in massive papers (my poor teachers!). But I never considered it as a career. For years, writing was largely a hobby; a way to occupy my hands. Then I started to serve, and writing became a means to an end. I wrote newsletters, curriculum, dramas, that sort of thing. One day, our children’s director asked me to write a story on Jonah, and as I was brainstorming, it hit me, “Hey, I really like this!” It was really a strange ah-ha moment, though I didn’t accept the call to write until almost ten years later. So, the short answer to your question is, it was a looooooooong journey. J
What do you enjoy most about writing realistic, contemporary fiction? What aspect of writing is most challenging?
I love the first draft stage when I can get completely lost in a story. The most challenging part of that is remembering I still must live in the real world. J I can get so engrossed in a story, I lose track of large chunks of time. This can be a problem when I’m supposed to be somewhere or have something simmering on the stove. Or have anything else on my to-do list.
When Dawn Breaks can be used as a tool in Bible study groups. Do you have a particular group of people you are trying to reach?
I have a double focus. I’m an outreach girl at heart, so I’m always trying to show God’s love and grace to those who may not know Him personally. I also want to inspire the believer to discover, embrace, and surrender to God’s call for their life.
What life experiences have motivated you to target your audience?
Hm… That’s an interesting question, one with a rather complex answer, I think. I have a less than glamorous past, having spent time on the streets as a teen. And growing up, I was around a lot of very broken people whose lives were characterized by broken relationships. People who routinely did drugs, drank until they passed out, were addicted to pornographic material. As an adult, walking with Christ, looking back, I felt as if I could see a clear divider between light and darkness. Those broken people were living in darkness—surrounded by it. Bound and destroyed by it. With this understanding, their behaviors looked different. I began to see all those sinful behaviors as symptoms of a metastasizing disease—sin. Their lives were such a stark contrast to the pure, life-giving light of Christ—a light I knew was available to them, if they’d but receive Him. In that moment, I felt such an urgency to bring the light I had received to those living in darkness. That desire has never left. So in essence, I write about what I’ve seen—broken lives—and I write about what I’ve experienced—the freedom and light of Christ.
When Dawn Breaks tackles some tough relational issues. What take-away message do you most wish to speak into the hearts of your readers?
Love holds on, even when things get hard, even when we have to white-knuckle it, and God can bring beauty and purpose out of our greatest trials.
You have also written another book entitled, Beyond I Do. Can you tell us a little about it and your target audience?
Sure! Beyond I Do is about a security-seeking bride who’s boxed God and His will out with her five-year life-plan.
Ainsley Meadows, raised by a hedonist mother, who cycles through jobs and relationships like wrapping paper on Christmas morning, falls into a predictable and safe relationship with Richard, a self-absorbed socialite psychiatrist. But as her wedding nears, a battered woman and her child spark a long-forgotten dream and ignite a hidden passion. One that threatens to change everything, including her fiancé. To embrace God’s best and find true love, this security-seeking bride must follow God with reckless abandon and realize that marriage goes Beyond I Do.
You can find it here: http://www.amazon.com/Jennifer-Slattery/e/B00JKQ4ZTW/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1
You can read a free, 36-page excerpt here: http://issuu.com/newhopedigital/docs/beyond_i_do_sample?e=6362996
The audience for both books is the same: women between the ages of 30-75, especially those who enjoy deeper romance novels that dive into life’s issues like homelessness, foster care, broken relationships, etc.
What can we look forward to seeing from you in the future?
I have another novel coming out in October of this year. This one has a miraculous true-life story attached to it. I hope you’ll have me back so I can share the story with your readers. J Then I have another novel releasing in winter of 2016.
Thanks for sharing your heart with us today, Jennifer. We wish you the best in your writing.
Thank you so much for having me! This was a fun chat! J
Jennifer’s books are available on www.amazon.com and New Hope Publishing.
Thanks for joining us today, Jennifer.
Hi, Cynthia. Thanks for having me!
First of all, can you give us a bit of background on yourself, and how you came to be an author?
Sure! I’ve always loved to write, for writing’s sake. As a kid, I’d doodle, journal, turn in massive papers (my poor teachers!). But I never considered it as a career. For years, writing was largely a hobby; a way to occupy my hands. Then I started to serve, and writing became a means to an end. I wrote newsletters, curriculum, dramas, that sort of thing. One day, our children’s director asked me to write a story on Jonah, and as I was brainstorming, it hit me, “Hey, I really like this!” It was really a strange ah-ha moment, though I didn’t accept the call to write until almost ten years later. So, the short answer to your question is, it was a looooooooong journey. J
What do you enjoy most about writing realistic, contemporary fiction? What aspect of writing is most challenging?
I love the first draft stage when I can get completely lost in a story. The most challenging part of that is remembering I still must live in the real world. J I can get so engrossed in a story, I lose track of large chunks of time. This can be a problem when I’m supposed to be somewhere or have something simmering on the stove. Or have anything else on my to-do list.
When Dawn Breaks can be used as a tool in Bible study groups. Do you have a particular group of people you are trying to reach?
I have a double focus. I’m an outreach girl at heart, so I’m always trying to show God’s love and grace to those who may not know Him personally. I also want to inspire the believer to discover, embrace, and surrender to God’s call for their life.
What life experiences have motivated you to target your audience?
Hm… That’s an interesting question, one with a rather complex answer, I think. I have a less than glamorous past, having spent time on the streets as a teen. And growing up, I was around a lot of very broken people whose lives were characterized by broken relationships. People who routinely did drugs, drank until they passed out, were addicted to pornographic material. As an adult, walking with Christ, looking back, I felt as if I could see a clear divider between light and darkness. Those broken people were living in darkness—surrounded by it. Bound and destroyed by it. With this understanding, their behaviors looked different. I began to see all those sinful behaviors as symptoms of a metastasizing disease—sin. Their lives were such a stark contrast to the pure, life-giving light of Christ—a light I knew was available to them, if they’d but receive Him. In that moment, I felt such an urgency to bring the light I had received to those living in darkness. That desire has never left. So in essence, I write about what I’ve seen—broken lives—and I write about what I’ve experienced—the freedom and light of Christ.
When Dawn Breaks tackles some tough relational issues. What take-away message do you most wish to speak into the hearts of your readers?
Love holds on, even when things get hard, even when we have to white-knuckle it, and God can bring beauty and purpose out of our greatest trials.
You have also written another book entitled, Beyond I Do. Can you tell us a little about it and your target audience?
Sure! Beyond I Do is about a security-seeking bride who’s boxed God and His will out with her five-year life-plan.
Ainsley Meadows, raised by a hedonist mother, who cycles through jobs and relationships like wrapping paper on Christmas morning, falls into a predictable and safe relationship with Richard, a self-absorbed socialite psychiatrist. But as her wedding nears, a battered woman and her child spark a long-forgotten dream and ignite a hidden passion. One that threatens to change everything, including her fiancé. To embrace God’s best and find true love, this security-seeking bride must follow God with reckless abandon and realize that marriage goes Beyond I Do.
You can find it here: http://www.amazon.com/Jennifer-Slattery/e/B00JKQ4ZTW/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1
You can read a free, 36-page excerpt here: http://issuu.com/newhopedigital/docs/beyond_i_do_sample?e=6362996
The audience for both books is the same: women between the ages of 30-75, especially those who enjoy deeper romance novels that dive into life’s issues like homelessness, foster care, broken relationships, etc.
What can we look forward to seeing from you in the future?
I have another novel coming out in October of this year. This one has a miraculous true-life story attached to it. I hope you’ll have me back so I can share the story with your readers. J Then I have another novel releasing in winter of 2016.
Thanks for sharing your heart with us today, Jennifer. We wish you the best in your writing.
Thank you so much for having me! This was a fun chat! J
Jennifer’s books are available on www.amazon.com and New Hope Publishing.
Love Inspirational,
Historical Romance? Author Misty M. Beller will transport you back in time with her novels, The Lady and the Mountain Man and The Lady and the Mountain Doctor. |
|
- Misty, thanks
for taking time to share your thoughts with us today.
How long have you been writing?
All my life, I've been a true book lover. Give me a good novel, and you probably won't see me again until it's finished. I've also always enjoyed writing, and tend to express myself best through my written correspondence. In high school, I had a poem published in a commercial poetry compilation book. But I never seriously thought about writing a novel, until about four years ago.
What/who inspired you to write?
I was putting together my bucket list, and realized that I really did want to write a novel. So, "Write a novel that's published" made it near the top!
I decided, it's now or never, and made the commitment to do it. So, I had a general idea that I wanted it to be a Christian western romance. But where to start? I finally decided I needed to find a good book to help me plan. I stumbled upon (a.k.a. God led me to) the best possible book to help me get started with a great plan: Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell. For all you writers out there, I can't recommend it highly enough!
From there, I've soaked in every bit of writing instruction I can from some amazing groups and individuals. And I've spent countless hours sitting with my laptop pouring out words onto the screen. The Lady and the Mountain Man is my first release, but the second novel I wrote. My first novel is under contract with Prism Book Group to release in 2015. Writing is in my blood. It's my passion. A true gift from my Heavenly Father, and I pray daily that he uses the words for His purpose.
You write Historical Romance. What is your favorite time period to write about? What interests you about this time period?
I tend to be a bit of a sentimentalist, so Historical Romance is perfect for me! My favorite period is between 1860 - 1880, when the cowboy days were really ramping up. I love the simpler life, where there's no rat race. Just hard work, plenty of alone time (can you tell I'm an introvert?), and a strong family unit. My stories usually center around horses and ranching, which comes from my love for the animals. I was completely horse crazy growing up, and actually trained and showed horses professionally for a couple years after high school.
Your debut novel, The Lady and the Mountain Man came out in September. How’s that going? Can you share with us your experience thus far? Who is your favorite character? Why?
It's been such a blessing to see how God is using The Lady and the Mountain Man. Every book is a journey, and God used a series of closed doors to make it clear which publishing direction he wanted me to go with this book. I'm so thankful for the way he's blessing it!
I have to say my favorite character is Gideon, the handsome, quiet cowboy hero. He reminds me so much of my older brother, David! My brother was my best friend through my growing up years. When I started brainstorming Gideon's character, I kept coming back to David's personality. Maybe because I know him so well, I felt like I understood what made him tick. So, David, this one's for you… J
You have a book under contract with Prism coming out in 2015. Can you tell us a little about what we have to look forward to?
My next release will be coming from Prism Book Group in June 2015, and is tentatively titled The Rancher Takes a Cook. Here's a glimpse of the back cover copy:
When their home in South Carolina burns to the ground, Anna Stewart has no choice but to move with her 15-year-old brother to the wilds of a Texas ranch. Their prospects begin to look better, until the ranch owner’s son, Jacob O’Brien, shows up with his alarmingly blue eyes to put a kink in Anna’s well-controlled plans. When danger escalates in the form of a band of cattle thieves with deadly intent, can Anna learn to release control to God’s capable hands… and those of the blue-eyed cowboy who’s stolen her heart?
What project are you currently working on?
My work in progress is the sequel to The Rancher Takes a Cook. It's the story of Anna's brother, and takes place ten years later when Edward is grown and working as a Texas Ranger. I'm still tweaking the back cover blurb, but here's a quick peak:
The bloody Las Cuevas War robbed Alejandra Diaz of her father, her fiancé, and her home—and left her with an intense hatred for men in uniform. She escapes across the border with her almost-mother-in-law and finds work on a quiet Texas ranch. The place seems like the safe haven she’d been looking for. Until she meets the rancher’s tall, handsome brother who wears the soldier’s badge of a Texas Ranger…
Edward Stewart has spent years proving his abilities as a man, separate from the overbearing protection of his family. As a Texas Ranger, he has the chance to help tame the Wild West and save the innocent. Innocents like the enchanting Mexican woman he rescued, who now lives and works on his sister's ranch. But the moment she sees his badge, she won't have anything to do with him.
Can Edward prove to Alejandra that he's different from the cruel soldiers she's known before? Will Alejandra hold onto the fear ingrained from her past, or can she open her heart to the kindness of this good lawman? When danger escalates in the form of a band of desperados with deadly intent, Alejandra must fight her hardest battle yet…
Do you have any advice or tips for aspiring writers?
Oh wow. There are so many things that spring to mind! Some I've learned from wise writers. Some from my heavenly Father. And some from doing it the hard way. J If I had to narrow down my experience into advice, these are the three things I would share: - Seek: Read books on craft. Join a writer's organization. Make friends with other writers and develop connections. Seek to learn everything you can about this wonderful world of fiction!
- Work: Writing takes so many hours of typing and plotting and editing. You may feel it will never end. But enjoy the journey, even the hard times. I heard a quote today that really hit home for me. "Happiness is counting your blessings for the good things where you are right now." We all need goals, but the joy truly can be in the journey.
- Pray: Seek God's face and His direction for your writing. If you're in His will, He will bless the work. His blessings may be a different outcome than you expected, but I promise it will be wonderful!
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Interview with Hannah Conway
~ Author of ~
The Wounded Warrior's Wife
It’s great to have you here today, Hannah, to discuss your debut book, The Wounded Warrior’s Wife which just recently hit the market.
Thank you, Cynthia! It’s so great to be here with you and your lovely readers.
In a nutshell, can you tell us the main focus of the novel and who you hope to reach?
I would say my main focus for the novel is to spread a message to every reader that God loves them, and God is in the business of restoring our lives and situations that we thought were completely broken either by our choices or events forced on us. If we let God, He can turn our mess into a message. It sounds cliché, but I want this book to be for everyone…if I have to get specific, then I’d like for this novel to reach that reader who is going through a hard time in their life and is need of wisdom, encouragement, and truth.
This book deals with man topics one of which is PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). What prompted you to write about this specific topic, and why is it important to you?
Being an Army wife of an infantry soldier with several combat tours under his belt, PTSD directly affected our family. It was something we didn’t talk much about in the military community and no one wanted to admit if there was a problem, but it was a problem, a big one. Living with someone struggling with PTSD was difficult, lonely, and I felt unable to help in any way. I knew if I felt this way, others must be too, so God called me to write. He led and carried my husband and I through the dark valleys of this condition and has called me to help others who are struggling.
As an army wife, you’ve seen first-hand many of the effects military life has on not only those serving, but also on those closest to them. What are some of the toughest challenges army families face?
Oh Cynthia, that’s such a loaded question with many complex answers. The challenges military families face are mentally, emotionally, and physically taxing. Long separations, ever-changing schedules, learning to become independent from your spouse and then depended when he or she returns, being both father and mother to your child during deployments…those are just a few off the top of my head. It’s hard, but those challenges allow God to really shine in the midst of your family.
Your characters, Whitleigh and Collier, are very true to life. Can you describe to us what drives them and how you developed their personalities? Do you share traits with Whit?
Thanks Cynthia. I wanted to make them as true to life as possible. Both Whitleigh and Collier are deeply in love and both driven to not only be together but to be the best possible person, the person God wants them to be for each other, however, “self” gets in their way and they lose focus of what drives them. I developed their personalities by taking a good-long-look in the mirror and examined the ways in which, as an Army wife, I reacted to the ups and downs of that lifestyle. I thought of my husband’s personality too and then I mixed bits of what I liked, didn’t like, how I wished it were different and bam, Whitleigh and Collier were born! And yes, Whit and I do share characteristics, but she is way cooler then I am! So crafty too!
You’ve chosen to publish through a small publishing house. How’s that working out for you?
I absolutely love Olivia Kimbrell Press. Yes, they are small, but wow, they are incredible. It’s working out very well. God gave my husband and I this ministry and ability to speak and share with others about God’s faithfulness in our journey through PTSD, and I had my novel ready to go, a few publishers and agents looking at it, and then here comes Olivia Kimbrell Press saying they’d like for me to come aboard now. It was such a God thing. It was almost like He was saying “Take this ministry and this book and go for it.” So I did and haven’t looked back.
When did you determine writing was for you? What is your favorite aspect of writing?
I figured it out a few years ago when God made it very clear to me that I was supposed to write. I wasn’t sure where to go with it at the time but I listened and began writing. It’s been a long learning curve, but I’m here!
I’d have to say my favorite part of writing is the creative process…all these ideas swirling in my head and somehow they splatter together on my computer screen and come to life! It’s so much fun!
What advice do you have for budding writers?
Join critique groups and writing clubs. Read books on how to write fiction. Read tons of books in the genre you would like to write and don’t be afraid to reach out to that favorite author of yours for advice. I’ve found authors to be very pleasant and more than willing to help out a new writer.
If you could share one message with your readers what would it be?
It would be that God loves you and He has great plans for your life, so let Him use you!
So what’s next on your agenda? What can we expect to see from you in the future?
Ha! TONS of things! I have every intention of making writing gig a long career! You’ll be hearing from me very soon! I will actually be releasing a FREE Novella here soon called Wedding a Warrior, which will be a prequel to The Wounded Warrior’s Wife.
Thanks so much, Hannah, for taking time out of your busy schedule to be with us today. God bless you in your writing journey, my friend!
Thank you so much Cynthia! I’m so happy to call you my friend and be here with you today!
~ Author of ~
The Wounded Warrior's Wife
It’s great to have you here today, Hannah, to discuss your debut book, The Wounded Warrior’s Wife which just recently hit the market.
Thank you, Cynthia! It’s so great to be here with you and your lovely readers.
In a nutshell, can you tell us the main focus of the novel and who you hope to reach?
I would say my main focus for the novel is to spread a message to every reader that God loves them, and God is in the business of restoring our lives and situations that we thought were completely broken either by our choices or events forced on us. If we let God, He can turn our mess into a message. It sounds cliché, but I want this book to be for everyone…if I have to get specific, then I’d like for this novel to reach that reader who is going through a hard time in their life and is need of wisdom, encouragement, and truth.
This book deals with man topics one of which is PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). What prompted you to write about this specific topic, and why is it important to you?
Being an Army wife of an infantry soldier with several combat tours under his belt, PTSD directly affected our family. It was something we didn’t talk much about in the military community and no one wanted to admit if there was a problem, but it was a problem, a big one. Living with someone struggling with PTSD was difficult, lonely, and I felt unable to help in any way. I knew if I felt this way, others must be too, so God called me to write. He led and carried my husband and I through the dark valleys of this condition and has called me to help others who are struggling.
As an army wife, you’ve seen first-hand many of the effects military life has on not only those serving, but also on those closest to them. What are some of the toughest challenges army families face?
Oh Cynthia, that’s such a loaded question with many complex answers. The challenges military families face are mentally, emotionally, and physically taxing. Long separations, ever-changing schedules, learning to become independent from your spouse and then depended when he or she returns, being both father and mother to your child during deployments…those are just a few off the top of my head. It’s hard, but those challenges allow God to really shine in the midst of your family.
Your characters, Whitleigh and Collier, are very true to life. Can you describe to us what drives them and how you developed their personalities? Do you share traits with Whit?
Thanks Cynthia. I wanted to make them as true to life as possible. Both Whitleigh and Collier are deeply in love and both driven to not only be together but to be the best possible person, the person God wants them to be for each other, however, “self” gets in their way and they lose focus of what drives them. I developed their personalities by taking a good-long-look in the mirror and examined the ways in which, as an Army wife, I reacted to the ups and downs of that lifestyle. I thought of my husband’s personality too and then I mixed bits of what I liked, didn’t like, how I wished it were different and bam, Whitleigh and Collier were born! And yes, Whit and I do share characteristics, but she is way cooler then I am! So crafty too!
You’ve chosen to publish through a small publishing house. How’s that working out for you?
I absolutely love Olivia Kimbrell Press. Yes, they are small, but wow, they are incredible. It’s working out very well. God gave my husband and I this ministry and ability to speak and share with others about God’s faithfulness in our journey through PTSD, and I had my novel ready to go, a few publishers and agents looking at it, and then here comes Olivia Kimbrell Press saying they’d like for me to come aboard now. It was such a God thing. It was almost like He was saying “Take this ministry and this book and go for it.” So I did and haven’t looked back.
When did you determine writing was for you? What is your favorite aspect of writing?
I figured it out a few years ago when God made it very clear to me that I was supposed to write. I wasn’t sure where to go with it at the time but I listened and began writing. It’s been a long learning curve, but I’m here!
I’d have to say my favorite part of writing is the creative process…all these ideas swirling in my head and somehow they splatter together on my computer screen and come to life! It’s so much fun!
What advice do you have for budding writers?
Join critique groups and writing clubs. Read books on how to write fiction. Read tons of books in the genre you would like to write and don’t be afraid to reach out to that favorite author of yours for advice. I’ve found authors to be very pleasant and more than willing to help out a new writer.
If you could share one message with your readers what would it be?
It would be that God loves you and He has great plans for your life, so let Him use you!
So what’s next on your agenda? What can we expect to see from you in the future?
Ha! TONS of things! I have every intention of making writing gig a long career! You’ll be hearing from me very soon! I will actually be releasing a FREE Novella here soon called Wedding a Warrior, which will be a prequel to The Wounded Warrior’s Wife.
Thanks so much, Hannah, for taking time out of your busy schedule to be with us today. God bless you in your writing journey, my friend!
Thank you so much Cynthia! I’m so happy to call you my friend and be here with you today!
Interview with Christian Historical
Writer
Linda Cushman
Author of:
Bittersweet
First Train Leaving
One Rusty Spur
Author, Linda Cushman resides in rural Missouri. In the following interview she shares insights into her writing as well as her experiences in both traditional and self-publishing.
Thanks for joining me today, Linda. I appreciate your willingness to share your writing experiences.
How long have you been writing?
I began writing in 2002. I wrote a rough draft story of my great-great grandfather's life during the Civil War. I still have that to finish. In 2004 I used a short version of his story, added other soldier's biographies, and self-published a book of short stories titled All to the Southern Cause. I didn't write more until 2010, when I wrote Bittersweet, published by Tate Publishing.
What/who inspired you to write?
Writing has been my dream since I was in elementary school, but I never had the nerve to try it. One day I was looking through genealogy documents and discovered the life of my great-great grandfather was above and beyond any fiction I'd read. As I turned the pages, reading about his amazing life, I came upon a picture of him. It seemed his eyes were boring into mine, pleading with me to tell his story. I really must finish his based-on-truth tale. It's probably going to be titled Israel from the Hills.
You write Historical Christian fiction. What is your favorite time period to write about? What interested you about this time period?
My favorite time period is the 1880s or 1890s. It was an exciting time period with the settling of the west. So far, I've written more about the Civil War era. One Rusty Spur, published in 2014, and Bittersweet both focus on the hardships of women at home instead of the actual war. There was so much death and destruction during that time, and I don't plan to write any more novels based on that era.
Can you give us an overview of your most recent book, First Train Leaving? Who is your favorite character? Why?
My favorite character is David. He tries hard to maintain his integrity and serve the Lord, but is human enough to yield to temptation and temper at times. I can feel his frustration when the woman he loves is determined to leave him and search for elusive fame and fortune. It's easy to root for him when he tries to keep the railroad from destroying his farm.
What motivated you to go with self-publishing?
It's almost impossible to be published by a traditional company. The market is glutted by writers now, and I think it's wonderful so many people are writing. We have so much untapped talent among us. I'm too impatient to go through the whole submit-rejection process, and it's fairly easy to be published on Create Space and Amazon. I started seeing sales right away.
Do you have any advice or tips for authors considering self-publishing?
My critique friends helped me immensely. They are old hands at self-publishing, and were able to guide me through the process. The most important thing is to have your manuscript impeccably clean and error free before you hit the publish button. I've been published through a traditional company and self-published. I've learned you have to promote your work no matter which route you take.
Thanks Linda and my God bless you in your future writing endeavors!
Linda's books are available on www.amazon.com
Linda Cushman
Author of:
Bittersweet
First Train Leaving
One Rusty Spur
Author, Linda Cushman resides in rural Missouri. In the following interview she shares insights into her writing as well as her experiences in both traditional and self-publishing.
Thanks for joining me today, Linda. I appreciate your willingness to share your writing experiences.
How long have you been writing?
I began writing in 2002. I wrote a rough draft story of my great-great grandfather's life during the Civil War. I still have that to finish. In 2004 I used a short version of his story, added other soldier's biographies, and self-published a book of short stories titled All to the Southern Cause. I didn't write more until 2010, when I wrote Bittersweet, published by Tate Publishing.
What/who inspired you to write?
Writing has been my dream since I was in elementary school, but I never had the nerve to try it. One day I was looking through genealogy documents and discovered the life of my great-great grandfather was above and beyond any fiction I'd read. As I turned the pages, reading about his amazing life, I came upon a picture of him. It seemed his eyes were boring into mine, pleading with me to tell his story. I really must finish his based-on-truth tale. It's probably going to be titled Israel from the Hills.
You write Historical Christian fiction. What is your favorite time period to write about? What interested you about this time period?
My favorite time period is the 1880s or 1890s. It was an exciting time period with the settling of the west. So far, I've written more about the Civil War era. One Rusty Spur, published in 2014, and Bittersweet both focus on the hardships of women at home instead of the actual war. There was so much death and destruction during that time, and I don't plan to write any more novels based on that era.
Can you give us an overview of your most recent book, First Train Leaving? Who is your favorite character? Why?
My favorite character is David. He tries hard to maintain his integrity and serve the Lord, but is human enough to yield to temptation and temper at times. I can feel his frustration when the woman he loves is determined to leave him and search for elusive fame and fortune. It's easy to root for him when he tries to keep the railroad from destroying his farm.
What motivated you to go with self-publishing?
It's almost impossible to be published by a traditional company. The market is glutted by writers now, and I think it's wonderful so many people are writing. We have so much untapped talent among us. I'm too impatient to go through the whole submit-rejection process, and it's fairly easy to be published on Create Space and Amazon. I started seeing sales right away.
Do you have any advice or tips for authors considering self-publishing?
My critique friends helped me immensely. They are old hands at self-publishing, and were able to guide me through the process. The most important thing is to have your manuscript impeccably clean and error free before you hit the publish button. I've been published through a traditional company and self-published. I've learned you have to promote your work no matter which route you take.
Thanks Linda and my God bless you in your future writing endeavors!
Linda's books are available on www.amazon.com
Welcome
Sadie and Sophie…or should I say Brenda and Judith! It’s so good to have you
join us.
Thanks for having us! It's always fun to hang out with fellow female farmers!
First, could you share your background with us and how it plays into your writing?
We grew up in rural midcoast Maine just up the hill from our grandparents’ dairy farm. When we were small, Sophie was in charge of watching baby Sadie while the family worked in the hayfield. (Luckily, Sadie has no memories of how that worked out!) We spent our childhood playing pick-up games and ice hockey with our brothers, all our cousins, and neighbors. We rode our bikes everywhere, went sledding, fished, hiked and built secret hideouts in the backwoods. And, last but not least, went to a small country church where we were always loved and cared for by a great extended family of faith.
It was a time of freedom and security that has mostly disappeared today, but our deep rural roots of family, faith, independence, and imagination definitely impact everything we write. For instance, we can hear the old way of talking, the storytelling dialog from our grandparents’ generation, that surrounded us as children. Sometimes editors will correct us on expressions, thinking they’re too old fashioned, but some of the old style dialect is still used by old timers in the unorganized territory where we make our home today.
When did you decide writing was your calling?
Actually, it didn’t come about as a flash of lightning for either one of us; it was more like a smoking fire with wet wood. Sadie went with a guy who was into writing cowboy poetry and he convinced her to try her hand at it. The relationship didn’t last, and neither did the poetry. Sadie’s best friend had the guts to tell her she basically stank at poetry but would do well writing regular essays and articles. Turns out the BF was right and write. Sadie did a stint at writing farm and gardening articles first, because it was something she knew very well. Then she spent five years writing a weekly human interest newspaper column and, during that interval, branched out to magazine articles, fiction, and full-length novels. Sophie was an even slower burn. She used to type and edit Sadie’s work (because Sadie is not a clean writing Type-A girl like her sister!) until Sadie dragged her kicking and screaming into the world of writing. Sophie wrote her own Amy Award winning Christian newspaper columns and articles. Then we collaborated on a kid’s bully musical and the Cuffe sister writing bond was forged. So far, the fire’s still burning, although sometimes out of control.
Why did you choose to use pen names rather than your given names?
We like the idea of anonymity, just in case we hit the BIG one LOL, but in our township of 300 people (give or take), it's hard to slip under the radar. The truth is, we wanted to pitch to an agent, but she'd only agree to look at your proposal if your initials matched the ones she put on her website at the beginning of each month. We waited three months, hoping for a JH or BH, but realized the odds of it happening for us were astronomically absurd. So the next month when she posted SC, we looked into our family tree and discovered a Sadie and a Sophia, and a Cuffe from the old country, County Kerry, Ireland. The pitch was a flop, but we decided to stick with the names because it keeps us in touch with our roots.
You have quite an array of Inspirational Historical books to your credit, most of which are set in the 1860s. Have you always had this fascination with the Civil War era? What is it about that time period that captivates you?
We chose the mid-to-late 1800’s because Sadie loves that time period. She always dreamed of writing a Civil War novel and finally Sophie agreed, and the rest, as they say, is history. Actually, we enjoy that time period because women were starting to have a voice and more independence then, from nursing on the Civil War battlefields to packing up their lives and moving west as schoolmarms, mail-order brides, and wagon train pioneers. It makes for great, strong, and vulnerable characters. It’s also the time period when our ancestors came over from Ireland, Scotland, and Holland. Toward the very end of the 1800’s our grandfather traveled west from Kansas to California in one of the last wagon trains of the century, so when we write about men and women from this time period, we feel a connection -- as if we’re walking in the boots of our great-grandparents. Its fun for us to imagine their adventures and their courageous faith as we write our stories.
As a historical writer myself, I know the time and effort that goes into research to make a novel authentic. What tips can you share about your research tactics?
You can get a lot of information just by reading historicals. We had an editor call us out for the use of "reticule" - she'd never heard of it and couldn't find it anywhere, yet we'd read it long ago in a historical novel. We used to use an old Encyclopedia, but in our version Helen Keller and Elvis Presley are still alive (seriously). Enter our BFF Google - instant facts at our fingertips! We're big fans of Mark McCutcheon, author of The Writer's Guide to Everyday Life in the 1800s (Writer's Digest Books, 1993). Another good source of information, available online and at local libraries, is old letters from a specified time era. Makes the writing a little bit more personal.
On the more technical side, we've been known to experiment with reading by candlelight under a blanket (not the best idea), ripping flannel and trying to accurately describe the sound (harder than you might think); and there was something involving vinegar - it's a pretty exciting life we lead!
Writing as a team can prove challenging. How do you weave your thoughts together to make your novels work?
It can be challenging, but we have an advantage at working together because we shared a room since the moment Sadie was born, and have been best friends ever since. We thank God every day now we're older, that we get to work together in a business partnership. Because our brains function so differently, our thoughts are usually woven together with a "Huh! I never would've thought of that!" from either one of us, so it gives us a good divergent viewpoint on everything from character names to background (yes, Sophie has an issue with names that end in "s" and needs to know everything about the characters from the time they were born; and Sadie is perfect LOL) Seriously, Sophie's Type-AAA personality keeps us on the write track while Sadie's Type-ZZZ keeps things interesting, and that's why God made us different so we can work so well together.
Which book is your favorite? Why?
Sophie: I have to go with THE SEEKERS. While I love all the characters, I'm especially fond of Hugh Sidebotham -- upright, honest, and true blue in his devotion to Capt. Wainwright and the Union. When he's asked to spy in the south, the captain warns him of the possibilities of capture and torture, and Hugh says, "I'll take this to the grave, Captain." And you just know he will!
Sadie: I love all the books but I have to follow in my sister’s footsteps and say my favorite is also “The Seekers.” I love the Civil War era, as you know. In this novel I also love it when characters masquerade as someone else, and I love the danger the hero and heroine face behind enemy lines. I like the sense of honor in the lead characters, and we got to write a scene with Abraham Lincoln in it. How cool is that! I hope he would be pleased with his character depiction and dialog.
Thanks so much for sharing your insights. I wish you all the best in your careers!
Thank you, it’s been wicked fun!
You may purchase Sadie and Sophie's books at:
http://www.amazon.com/Sadie-Cuffe/e/B006JUVJ6O/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_2
Learn more about then at:
Website: www.cuffesisters.comFacebook Author page: http://tinyurl.com/9cflp7w
Thanks for having us! It's always fun to hang out with fellow female farmers!
First, could you share your background with us and how it plays into your writing?
We grew up in rural midcoast Maine just up the hill from our grandparents’ dairy farm. When we were small, Sophie was in charge of watching baby Sadie while the family worked in the hayfield. (Luckily, Sadie has no memories of how that worked out!) We spent our childhood playing pick-up games and ice hockey with our brothers, all our cousins, and neighbors. We rode our bikes everywhere, went sledding, fished, hiked and built secret hideouts in the backwoods. And, last but not least, went to a small country church where we were always loved and cared for by a great extended family of faith.
It was a time of freedom and security that has mostly disappeared today, but our deep rural roots of family, faith, independence, and imagination definitely impact everything we write. For instance, we can hear the old way of talking, the storytelling dialog from our grandparents’ generation, that surrounded us as children. Sometimes editors will correct us on expressions, thinking they’re too old fashioned, but some of the old style dialect is still used by old timers in the unorganized territory where we make our home today.
When did you decide writing was your calling?
Actually, it didn’t come about as a flash of lightning for either one of us; it was more like a smoking fire with wet wood. Sadie went with a guy who was into writing cowboy poetry and he convinced her to try her hand at it. The relationship didn’t last, and neither did the poetry. Sadie’s best friend had the guts to tell her she basically stank at poetry but would do well writing regular essays and articles. Turns out the BF was right and write. Sadie did a stint at writing farm and gardening articles first, because it was something she knew very well. Then she spent five years writing a weekly human interest newspaper column and, during that interval, branched out to magazine articles, fiction, and full-length novels. Sophie was an even slower burn. She used to type and edit Sadie’s work (because Sadie is not a clean writing Type-A girl like her sister!) until Sadie dragged her kicking and screaming into the world of writing. Sophie wrote her own Amy Award winning Christian newspaper columns and articles. Then we collaborated on a kid’s bully musical and the Cuffe sister writing bond was forged. So far, the fire’s still burning, although sometimes out of control.
Why did you choose to use pen names rather than your given names?
We like the idea of anonymity, just in case we hit the BIG one LOL, but in our township of 300 people (give or take), it's hard to slip under the radar. The truth is, we wanted to pitch to an agent, but she'd only agree to look at your proposal if your initials matched the ones she put on her website at the beginning of each month. We waited three months, hoping for a JH or BH, but realized the odds of it happening for us were astronomically absurd. So the next month when she posted SC, we looked into our family tree and discovered a Sadie and a Sophia, and a Cuffe from the old country, County Kerry, Ireland. The pitch was a flop, but we decided to stick with the names because it keeps us in touch with our roots.
You have quite an array of Inspirational Historical books to your credit, most of which are set in the 1860s. Have you always had this fascination with the Civil War era? What is it about that time period that captivates you?
We chose the mid-to-late 1800’s because Sadie loves that time period. She always dreamed of writing a Civil War novel and finally Sophie agreed, and the rest, as they say, is history. Actually, we enjoy that time period because women were starting to have a voice and more independence then, from nursing on the Civil War battlefields to packing up their lives and moving west as schoolmarms, mail-order brides, and wagon train pioneers. It makes for great, strong, and vulnerable characters. It’s also the time period when our ancestors came over from Ireland, Scotland, and Holland. Toward the very end of the 1800’s our grandfather traveled west from Kansas to California in one of the last wagon trains of the century, so when we write about men and women from this time period, we feel a connection -- as if we’re walking in the boots of our great-grandparents. Its fun for us to imagine their adventures and their courageous faith as we write our stories.
As a historical writer myself, I know the time and effort that goes into research to make a novel authentic. What tips can you share about your research tactics?
You can get a lot of information just by reading historicals. We had an editor call us out for the use of "reticule" - she'd never heard of it and couldn't find it anywhere, yet we'd read it long ago in a historical novel. We used to use an old Encyclopedia, but in our version Helen Keller and Elvis Presley are still alive (seriously). Enter our BFF Google - instant facts at our fingertips! We're big fans of Mark McCutcheon, author of The Writer's Guide to Everyday Life in the 1800s (Writer's Digest Books, 1993). Another good source of information, available online and at local libraries, is old letters from a specified time era. Makes the writing a little bit more personal.
On the more technical side, we've been known to experiment with reading by candlelight under a blanket (not the best idea), ripping flannel and trying to accurately describe the sound (harder than you might think); and there was something involving vinegar - it's a pretty exciting life we lead!
Writing as a team can prove challenging. How do you weave your thoughts together to make your novels work?
It can be challenging, but we have an advantage at working together because we shared a room since the moment Sadie was born, and have been best friends ever since. We thank God every day now we're older, that we get to work together in a business partnership. Because our brains function so differently, our thoughts are usually woven together with a "Huh! I never would've thought of that!" from either one of us, so it gives us a good divergent viewpoint on everything from character names to background (yes, Sophie has an issue with names that end in "s" and needs to know everything about the characters from the time they were born; and Sadie is perfect LOL) Seriously, Sophie's Type-AAA personality keeps us on the write track while Sadie's Type-ZZZ keeps things interesting, and that's why God made us different so we can work so well together.
Which book is your favorite? Why?
Sophie: I have to go with THE SEEKERS. While I love all the characters, I'm especially fond of Hugh Sidebotham -- upright, honest, and true blue in his devotion to Capt. Wainwright and the Union. When he's asked to spy in the south, the captain warns him of the possibilities of capture and torture, and Hugh says, "I'll take this to the grave, Captain." And you just know he will!
Sadie: I love all the books but I have to follow in my sister’s footsteps and say my favorite is also “The Seekers.” I love the Civil War era, as you know. In this novel I also love it when characters masquerade as someone else, and I love the danger the hero and heroine face behind enemy lines. I like the sense of honor in the lead characters, and we got to write a scene with Abraham Lincoln in it. How cool is that! I hope he would be pleased with his character depiction and dialog.
Thanks so much for sharing your insights. I wish you all the best in your careers!
Thank you, it’s been wicked fun!
You may purchase Sadie and Sophie's books at:
http://www.amazon.com/Sadie-Cuffe/e/B006JUVJ6O/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_2
Learn more about then at:
Website: www.cuffesisters.comFacebook Author page: http://tinyurl.com/9cflp7w
