Meet Susan Marlow
Susan is always on the lookout for a new story, whether she’s writing books, teaching writing workshops, or sharing what she’s learned as a homeschooling mom. She is the author of several series set in the Old West—ranging from new reader to young adult—and she enjoys relaxing on her fourteen-acre homestead in the great state of Washington.
Tell us about your newest books.
Books 3 and 4 of the Circle C Stepping Stones series for young readers ages 7-10 continue the adventures of nine-year-old Andi Carter, who is growing up on a large cattle ranch in 1870s California. In Andi Lassos Trouble, Andi wants nothing more than to compete in the upcoming rodeo, but she’s too young, and she’s a girl. Andi to the Rescue finds Andi and her mother kidnapped in a case of mistaken identity by a gentleman outlaw who wants to learn to read and thinks Mother is the schoolteacher.
What genre do you focus on and why?
I focus on kids of all ages, from young readers ready for first-chapter books to teens. I’m just a kid at heart and want other kids to have a romping good time reading about spunky young heroines and heroes living during the time period known as the Old West. Four of my series focus on Andrea “Andi” Carter, sort of like a young Laura Ingalls in the same time period but with the wealthy ranching angle instead of the poor pioneer wanderer. My other series, Goldtown Adventures, features a twelve-year-old boy living the “dream” (not) in a rowdy, post-gold rush town near Mariposa, California.
Why do you write? What drives you?
I’ve written since I was a child and young teen. I loved to embellish and improve on some of my favorite books and TV shows of the 60s. It was so much fun to “beam out” (yes, I wrote Star Trek stories) or gallop into the Old West for an imaginary journey. I wrote only for myself and never intended to become a published author . . . ever! But God had other plans. He used a dear author friend to prod me into submitting to Kregel Publications (with her endorsement) and I was propelled—quite unwillingly—into the publishing world. Very. Scary. Deadlines and contracts took the joy out of my writing style for a season, but God used that time to teach me how to live by faith in this area. Now, I write for parents (and kids) at the dozens and dozens of homeschool conventions at which I vendor, who beg me for more books for their kids. I also create enrichment activities (study guides) and lapbooks to create year-long literature and language arts curricula for homeschooling families. So my reason for writing has changed—from self-motivated escapism to serving others.
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
The main character in my four Circle C series is Andrea Carter, but if you want to stay on her good side, you’d best call her Andi. She starts out at age six, and the final book of the final series ends with her turning eighteen and marrying. I chose a name that I thought would go well with a prominent ranching family, but that could also be easily shortened to reflect her tomboyish high spirits. She’s the youngest of six. Her father was killed in a ranching accident, and her older brothers run the ranch. She also has a couple of older sisters.
What does a day in your writing world look like?
When I’m under contract, I devote the mornings to writing, after asking the Lord to provide me with my daily “manna,” i.e. words to complete a chapter or scene! Afternoons are times for walking in our pine forest and then checking out new marketing ideas.
What is the hardest part of being an author?
Writing the book! I always feel that I gave my all to the previous book in whichever series I’m working on at the time and have nothing left for a new book. Hence the desperate daily manna prayer.
What’s the best part of your author’s life?
Marketing! I love marketing. I love creating bookmarks. I love messing with my website and figuring out how to stuff the next new books into a tri-fold brochure. I love vendoring at homeschool conventions around the country—meeting parents and having kids and teens come up and say, “I love your books. Can we have a picture together?”
What are you most proud of?
Looking at a published book and wondering, “How in the world did this come to be?” I’m proud of taking the scary step of faith and saying “yes” to my publisher when he asked me to either add more books to a series or come up with another new Andi series.
What is your favorite pastime?
I like to go on walks in the forest, but mostly I like to help my daughter (with eight children) homeschool. The children use my books and curricula for their literature and language arts, and it’s fun to hear one of them say, “Grandma, I found a mistake in the study guide.” They are my quality control team.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
I have six Circle C Beginnings books (for ages 6-9), there will eventually be six Circle C Stepping Stones books in all (ages 7-10), six Circle C Adventures (ages 9-14), four Circle C Milestones (ages 12 and up), and four Goldtown Adventures (ages 8-12).
What are you working on now?
The activity pages and lapbook activities for the upcoming books 5 and 6 of the Stepping Stones. They are almost as much work as writing the 16,000-word books. But I’m a teacher and do love creating wholesome and educational materials to give a book a longer life.
Website: CircleCAdventures.com
Link to books: https://circlecadventures.com/stepping-stones-special-purchase/
Social media links: FB group page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CircleCAdventures/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susank.marlow/
Meet MaryAnn Diorio
Dr. MaryAnn Diorio is a widely published, award-winning author of fiction and non-fiction for adults and children. Her latest novel, Return to Bella Terra, is Book 3 in The Italian Chronicles Trilogy. MaryAnn’s latest children’s book, The Dandelion Patch, won “Best Book of Juvenile Fiction” in the 2017 Pinnacle Book Achievement Awards contest. MaryAnn and her husband Dom reside in New Jersey. They are parents to two adult daughters and grandparents to five rambunctious grandchildren.
Tell us about your newest book.
Return to Bella Terra is my latest novel. It is Book 3 in The Italian Chronicles Trilogy and is the story of a woman divided between two worlds and struggling to let go of her son as she seeks to discover God’s will for her life.
What genre do you focus on and why?
Women’s fiction. I love this genre because I find it to be the perfect venue for addressing the deep issues that affect a woman’s heart. While love is certainly at the core of a woman’s heart, other issues often stand in the way of loving relationships, be that relationship marriage, motherhood, or friendship. Having ministered to women for many years, and having experienced many of these issues in my own life, I have discovered that at the root of relationship problems lies a deeper problem in the woman’s own soul. Healing these “soul wounds”—as I like to call them—frees the woman to be all that God created her to be. These deep soul issues are what I like to address in my stories.
Why do you write? What drives you?
I write because God has called me to write. It is not the calling I originally chose, but it is the calling that God chose for me, and I love it and rejoice in it! I am driven by a passionate desire to know Christ and to make Him known. This desire drives every word I write. I want my readers to know the freedom in Christ that I have experienced. I want them to know the joy and peace that Christ has given me. I want them to become all that God has created them to be.
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
My main character in The Italian Chronicles Trilogy is Maria Landro. She is the heroine of all three books: The Madonna of Pisano (Book 1), A Sicilian Farewell (Book 2), and Return to Bella Terra (Book 3). Maria’s name came to me as I was praying about the trilogy. My choice was not analytical. I simply followed Holy Spirit’s leading. I trust His purposes in wanting this name.
What does a day in your writing world look like?
My day begins very early—somewhere between 4:00am and 5:00am—with time alone with the Lord. I protect this time with God and don’t let anything interfere with it. I spend time in worship, prayer, and study of the Word. By 9:00am, I am at my computer. I am pretty disciplined in my writing and write every day, five days a week, from 9:00 am to 2:00 or 3:00 pm. After my workday, I often go out with my husband or spend time with our grandchildren. In the evenings, I write my blog posts, work on marketing and other business aspects of writing, or attend a webinar. I also relax with my husband while crocheting hats and scarves for my church’s ministry to the homeless.
What is the hardest part of being an author? Why?
It is one thing to be an author. It is quite another to be an author who writes for God. My greatest challenge has been the continual assaults of the enemy against Christ’s work: family challenges, health challenges, relationship challenges, computer challenges, time challenges—and the list goes on and on. Because we proclaim truth through our words, we have an enemy who hates truth and will do everything he can to hinder us from proclaiming it. For this reason, I have a Prayer Team of wonderful believers who uphold me in prayer. Their prayers have carried me through the rough times and the good times. I always seek to remember that greater is He Who is in me than he who is in the world (1 John 4: 4). We are more than conquerors through Christ who loves us! Hallelujah1
What’s the best part of your author’s life? Why?
By far the creative part! When I write, I feel so close to the Father. I feel as though I am imitating Him in His creativity. There have been times when, as I wrote, I sensed Holy Spirit’s Presence hovering over me and rising up within me, giving me the words of His heart.
What is the craziest thing you’ve experienced as an author?
My first sale! It came at a time when I was wondering if God had called me to write. I submitted a poem to The Saturday Evening Post, totally unaware of the difficulty of getting into this magazine. When, to my amazement, my poem was accepted, I received that acceptance as God’s confirmation of his writing call on my life. The ironic thing was that the poem was a piece of light verse based on an argument my children had had, and I am not a naturally funny person.
What are you most proud of?
My two amazing daughters! They are the joy of my heart because of their hearts sold out to Jesus. I call them “the jewels in my crown.” They have been and continue to be a great blessing in my life.
What is your favorite pastime?
Reading. I am an avid reader of fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, cereal boxes. J My favorite book is the Bible. The words in this book are unlike the words in any other book. The words in the Bible are Life itself.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
Yes. As I mentioned above, I have the first two novels in The Italian Chronicles Trilogy. I’ve also written two novellas: A Christmas Homecoming (Pelican Book Group) and Surrender to Love (Indie-published). As for my children’s books, I’ve written Who Is Jesus?, Toby Too Small, Candle Love, Do Angels Ride Ponies?, and The Dandelion Patch. All are available on Amazon.
What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m compiling a book of children’s poems I’ve written over the years. The title of the book is Poems for Wee Ones. Lord willing, I will publish it next year. I’m also working on a novel about an American young woman whose corporate job transfers her to Italy where she learns the truths of Isaiah 55: 8.
Website: www.maryanndiorio.com and www.maryanndiorioministries.com
Social media links:
Blog (Matters of the Heart): http://www.networkedblogs.com/blog/maryanndiorioblog
Blog Talk Radio: http:www.blogtalkradio.com/drmaryanndiorio
BookBub.com: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/maryann-diorio
Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/DrMaryAnnDiorio
Twitter: http://Twitter.com/@DrMaryAnnDiorio
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6592603
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryann-diorio-phd-dmin-mfa-99924513/
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/drmaryanndiorio/
Google+: http://plus.google.com/u/0/+DrMaryAnnDiorio
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmaryanndiorio/
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/drmaryanndiorio/
Meet Kathleen Rouser
Kathleen Rouser is the award-winning author of Rumors and Promises, her first novel about the people of fictional Stone Creek, Michigan. She is a longtime member of ACFW. Kathleen wanted to be a writer before she could even read and longs to create characters who resonate with readers and realize the need for a transforming Savior in their everyday lives. She lives in Michigan with her hero and husband of 36 years.
Tell us about your newest book.
Stone Creek, Michigan – April, 1901: Maggie Galloway and Thomas Harper clash after their sons collide in a fistfight. Both widowed, they’re each doing their best as a parent to their children. Outgoing Maggie has dreams for a home of her own and a business to provide for her son as she searches for God’s path for her life as a widow. Reserved Thomas struggles to establish his new pharmacy and take care of his four rambunctious children, while wondering how a loving God could take his beloved wife. When Thomas becomes deathly ill, Maggie is recruited to nurse him back to health. Taking the children in hand, as well, is more than she bargained for, but she is drawn to help the grieving family. Both nurse and patient find themselves drawn to each other but promptly deny their feelings. A baking contest sponsored by the Silver Leaf Flour Company brings former beau, Giles Prescott, back into Maggie’s life. When Giles offers Maggie a position at their test kitchen in Chicago, he hints that, along with assuring her a good job, it will allow them to possibly rekindle their relationship. But then a charlatan comes to town, and tragedy soon follows. Maggie and Thomas discover the miracle potions he hawks aren’t so harmless when an epidemic hits Stone Creek. Thomas and Maggie realize they must work together to save lives. Maggie finds herself caught up in battles within and without the battle to help the townsfolk in the midst of illness and chicanery, and the battle to know which man Thomas or Giles deserves to win her heart.
What genre do you focus on and why?
I’ve currently been focusing on inspirational historical romance, because I enjoy reading a good romance and also learning about how people lived long ago as well as helping transport readers to times past
Why do you write? What drives you?
God put a love of stories in me at a young age. Writing is hard work, but I’m driven by wanting to put down the stories He has given me to write. I hope to encourage and edify believers, and share the Gospel with those who don’t yet know Jesus.
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
Maggie Galloway was a secondary character in Rumors and Promises. as the hero, Ian McCormick’s, widowed sister and housekeeper. While I usually choose my main character’s names quite carefully, I thought Maggie Galloway sounded like a good Irish name and it flows off the tongue.
What does a day in your writing world look like?
It depends on the day. Days that I have Bible study in the morning and I’m volunteering to teach kids at Community Bible Study, I’m more likely to write in the afternoon. When I have
stuff going on in the afternoon, such as my part-time job, I write in the morning. I start with a word count goal depending on the length of the story I’m planning to write. When I’m home and ready to write I sit in one of a couple of my favorite spots, and make sure I have a cup of coffee nearby. Hopefully my cat will decide to hop on my lap and keep me company while I write. Having her snuggling on my lap is good incentive to stay in one place and write longer!
What is the hardest part of being an author? Why?
Like many other authors I’m an introvert at heart, though you might not know that to meet me. I call myself a “friendly introvert.” Funny, while I don’t mind public speaking, I don’t
enjoy the daily marketing–being on Facebook, etc. as I think of myself as a very private person. I’ll be open and honest with people I know personally, but it’s hard to know what to present to the outside world. I also find it hard to balance the marketing and writing time sometimes.
What’s the best part of your author’s life? Why?
It’s being able to create new stories and characters, it’s finding out that God has used them to touch readers’ hearts, and knowing I’m doing the work that God has given me to do.
What is the craziest thing you’ve experienced as an author?
There’s nothing I can think of that was crazy. I’m afraid my life as an author has been pretty ordinary! But sometimes boring is good too.
What is your favorite pastime?
Well, like most writers, I love to read, but outside of that I’d say making jewelry with beads or wire wrapping, that is, if I’m not just hanging out with my husband, which I love as well.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
My first novel was Rumors and Promises, and it’s a 2017 Bookvana Award winner for religious fiction. Before that I had a novella, The Pocket Watch, published in the anthology, Brave New Century, was published in 2013, and “Special Assignment,” a short story in the anthology, Christmas Treasures, published in 2014.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on a novella for Barbour’s Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides Collection coming in 2018. My story is going to be about the Mackinac Point lighthouse and involves a shipwreck survivor with amnesia.
Website: http://kathleenrouser.com
Link to book: On Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/y7oqpym6 On Barnes and Noble online: http://tinyurl.com/yaj5ryc5
Social media links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kerouser
Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/kathleenerouser/
Twitter: @KathleenRouser
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/kerouser/
Meet Janet Thompson
Author, international speaker, and freelance editor Janet Thompson is the founder of Woman to Woman Mentoring and About His Work Ministries. Janet is passionate about encouraging others to share their life experiences and God’s faithfulness in all seasons of life through mentoring. She and her husband Dave reside in the beautiful rural mountains of Idaho.
Tell us about your newest book.
Mentoring for All Seasons: Sharing Life Experiences and God’s Faithfulness encourages women to be intentional in seeking mentoring relationship. Through true stories from mentors and mentees in life seasons from tween through twilight years—along with my personal experiences, helpful tips for mentors and mentees, Scriptures to study together, and biblical mentoring relationship examples, Mentoring for All Seasons is a book for both mentors and mentees. We’re always going into a new life season where we need a mentor, while we mentor others from the season we’ve just experienced.
What genre do you focus on and why?
Christian nonfiction is my genre. I never planned to be an author or speaker. I had varied careers before the Lord whispered in my ear to “feed My sheep.” It turned out that the sheep were women and feeding was mentoring. With no experience in women’s ministry, I started the Woman to Woman Mentoring Ministry at Saddleback Church twenty years ago. Churches started calling and wanted to know how we were doing the ministry, so I sat down and wrote a DVD Kit Woman to Woman Mentoring: How to Start, Grow, and Maintain a Mentoring Ministry, and my speaking and authoring journey began. As I observed and heard about the life issues women were dealing with, I wrote books to help and mentor them.
Why do you write? What drives you?
About His Work Ministries is the name of my writing and speaking ministry. Since the day I heard what I now refer to as my “feed My sheep” call into ministry from the Lord, serving Him where He leads has been my passion and focus. As long as He keeps providing ideas and the ability to write, I’ll continue. When I’m not writing books, I write for Crosswalk.com, a weekly blog on my website, and a monthly online newsletter.
What does a day in your writing world look like?
When weather permits, I pop out of bed and take a three-mile mountain prayer walk up hill and dale. It clears my head and provides time to talk to God about the current writing project or blog. After breakfast and quite time, I check email and then head up to my office to start the day of writing. Most days, I write all day until dinnertime then close up shop, unless I’m on a deadline. Then hubby makes dinner!
What is the hardest part of being an author? Why?
Having to say no to some good things, like going out to lunch or socializing during the day, especially when I’m on deadline. I make time for family, my husband, a cup of coffee or tea with a friend, mentee, or someone going through a difficult season, and rest; but often have to turn down other inviting opportunities. My writing, speaking, and overseeing two ministries is a full time “job.” My close friends and family understand and pray for me as I write and minister to others, but some people often misunderstand and think I’m being unfriendly. I have to write in complete silence and with no distractions. I’m not the kind of author who can sit in a room full of people with the TV blaring. As a result, I have to isolate myself during a day of writing.
What’s the best part of your author’s life? Why?
I don’t have to get dressed up every day! I can write in sweats, pjs, shorts, whatever the weather allows. We live in a beautiful mountain community and I don’t have to leave home or drive to go to work, especially in the snow. Now that my husband is retired, he is my helpmate in ministry. He handles book orders, the administrative parts of the ministry, and the techie aspects of my website, which is a tremendous help and joy to work together. And every once in a while, the Lord lets me have a glimpse of a life that has been changed or blessed through something I’ve written or spoken. As if He knows just when I need a burst of encouragement to finish a book or article or to keep writing blogs even though I might not see a comment for weeks. I’m blessed to work for such a good, good God.
What is the craziest thing you’ve experienced as an author?
While taking my morning walks, I often write the next blog post in my mind. Recently, I started looking for a blog in my computer files and couldn’t find it. Then it dawned on me . . . I had actually never written it when I got home from my walk. After a good laugh at myself, fortunately, it was still in my mind and I sat down and wrote it.
What are you most proud of?
That’s a tough question, but what comes to mind is saying “OK” to the Lord when I had no idea what “Feed My sheep” meant or what it would require of me. But after surrendering to that call, God opened one door after another for me to start the Woman to Woman Mentoring Ministry, and it’s been a journey of faith ever since. My husband and I have been through many hardships and trials when it would have been easy to give up, but that’s where About His Work Ministries originated when my husband lost his job soon after I started Woman to Woman Mentoring. I had already left my career to work as a volunteer at Saddleback Church starting the ministry and to write the resources to help other churches. He has grown the ministry beyond anything we could have ever imagined. Only God!
What is your favorite pastime?
When I finish my writing day, hubby and I have a nice dinner and spend the evening together. We’re empty nesters and he’s retired so this is important time together. I also love spending time with my grandchildren. We have eleven, but only three live near us, so we try to plan trips to see the others. After living in Southern California my entire life, six years ago when my husband retired, we moved to Idaho. We live in a forest with a beautiful deck and I enjoy relaxing on the swing watching some of the wildlife, squirrels, deer, even elk who pass through our property.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
Yes, Mentoring for All Seasons is my 19th book.
Forsaken God?: Remembering the Goodness of God Our Culture Has Forgotten
The Team That Jesus Built: How to Develop, Equip, and Commission a Women’s Ministry Team
Dear God, Why Can’t I Have a Baby?: A Companion Guide for Couples on the Infertility Journey
Dear God, They Say It’s Cancer: A Companion Guide for Women on the Breast Cancer Journey
Dear God, He’s Home!: A Woman’s Guide to Her Stay-At-Home Man
Praying for Your Prodigal Daughter: Hope, Help & Encouragement for Hurting Parents
Face-to-Face Bible Study Series (7 Books in the series)
Woman to Woman Mentoring Ministry Resources (4 Books and a DVD Leader’s Kit)
What are you working on now?
My next book is Get Your Brave On: Women of the Bible Encourage Women of Today to Be Brave I’m still receiving stories of times when God provided the strength to do things you never thought you could do. So if anyone has a “brave” story you would like to share, please contact me at ahw@sbcglobal.net.
Link to book: bit.ly/mentoringseasons
Social media links:
www.facebook.com/Janetthompson.authorspeaker
http://www.linkedin.com/in/womantowomanmentoring/
www.pinterest.com/thompsonjanet
https://twitter.com/AHWministries
Instagram Janetahw
Meet Brandy Vallance
Brandy Vallance fell in love with the Victorian time period at a young age, loving the customs, manners, and especially the intricate rules of love. Since time travel is theoretically impossible, she lives in the nineteenth century vicariously through her novels. Brandy is the 2013 Operation First Novel winner and the 2012 winner of the ACFW Genesis Contest for historical romance.
What genre do you focus on and why?
I focus on historical romance because I’m the most passionate about story in a historical context. All my life I’ve been captivated by history and historical places. I often feel most at home in a historical setting or a museum. To me it’s like taking a deep, contented breath. My imagination goes wild. I also love writing historical romance because I love researching. I love stumbling across details that make everything come together. I suppose at the heart of it I just love to learn. Also, there’s just a lot to love about horse-drawn carriages and the beautiful clothing of the time.
Why do you write? What drives you?
I. M. Forster said, “How do I know what I think until I see what I say?” Writing is like that for me. I start with a premise of some sort but then I put my characters into situations that are sometimes a mirror for my own life—past, present, or future. Sometimes this is only an echo or a theme but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that often I’m testing the waters. Like everyone, I have a lot of deep, unanswered questions. Sometimes this has to do with world events or something I’ve read about another person. There are so many deep hurts out there. Many believe those things were caused by God or that He doesn’t care. Maybe I’m in the business of reconciliation. I like to pull back the curtain and try to imagine what God’s purposes are or how He makes everything work together for good.
Also, writing gives me strength. My two published books were both written during difficult times in my life. Somehow, going through the transformation of my characters gave me courage for my own life. I’ve been changed by both of my books for the better. So, I guess I write for personal transformation and then I hope that it can do the same for others.
What does a day in your writing world look like?
It depends upon what season I’m in. During a book release I’m busy with all the marketing things and focusing on social media, interviews, and finding and making promotional graphics or videos. When I’m writing, the first thing I do is make a cup of tea. Then, I sit down and I either turn on Spotify, Pandora Radio, or Rainymood.com. I have different Spotify playlists and they help me get into the character’s head or the scene. I put on headphones and try to let the real world disappear. In Stephen King’s book On Writing, he talks about this as self-trancing. Some writers might refer to this as the zone. After a few minutes I’m typically not even paying attention to the music and I’m able to write. It’s a way that I’ve trained my brain that it’s time to work.
I typically write during school hours. Sometimes my favorite place to work is a coffee shop. When I’m working from home it’s too tempting to focus on all the work that needs to be done.
What is the hardest part of being an author? Why?
Probably the hardest part of being an author is self-doubt. Also, if you’re traditionally published, all the waiting you have to do is hard. Being traditionally published can take years. Sometimes it drives authors crazy.
Validation is also a hard one. We work so hard and so long on our books, pouring our souls into them, so naturally we want to see good reviews and good sales. But there is a truth that we all have to come to—maybe we just wrote a particular book for a select few. That certainly doesn’t make it less important. We have to go through the hard process of letting go of the results, casting our bread upon the waters per se.
I also believe that books are seasonal. I know that in my own life some books resonated with me deeply at a certain time but now it wouldn’t be the same. That’s because I’m a different person now. We should always be changing and growing. But sometimes you’ll get a review from a person who isn’t in the season that you wrote the book for. I think recognizing that helps and makes it easier for the author not to take bad reviews so hard.
What’s the best part of your author’s life? Why?
I love connecting with readers and it’s very surreal when they tell you they love your book. I’ve received some messages that are pretty astounding. Really, I am amazed at God in those moments. I’ve met a couple readers who’ve had tears in their eyes while talking about my books. It’s those kinds of things that help me to keep writing when I’m discouraged.
Also, I get to make my own hours and work in yoga pants. That’s pretty cool.
What is the craziest thing you’ve experienced as an author?
Some of my one star reviews are pretty entertaining. You have to either take those as constructive criticism and better yourself, or just laugh. Otherwise, it’ll destroy you as an author.
What are you most proud of?
I’m really proud of my second book, Within the Veil. It stretched me to write it and a lot of people wanted me to tone it down but I didn’t.
What is your favorite pastime?
I can’t say that I have a favorite but I love to travel overseas and I love museums. I also love the theater, gardening, watching period dramas, horseback riding and playing with our two Great Danes.
Website: www.brandyvallance.com
Link to book: https://www.amazon.com/Brandy-Vallance/e/B00K6ZFAAE/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1
Social media links: Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBrandyVallance/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandyVallance
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiCHMR_3VJGined1wf28gkA
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/brandyvallance/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8035640.Brandy_Vallance
Meet Ann Tatlock
Ann Tatlock is managing editor of Heritage Beacon, the historical fiction imprint of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. She is a novelist and children’s book author, and formerly worked as a writer and editor with Decision magazine. She and her husband have one daughter and live in Raleigh, North Carolina.
What genre do you focus on and why?
I largely write historical novels because I’m captivated by American life in the 20th century—particularly 1900 through 1970. This was a time of great progress in our country and around the world, but also of great turmoil and tragedy. These decades offer many fascinating backdrops for stories—the Spanish flu epidemic, the Great Depression, two World Wars, the Civil Rights era—all of which I’ve used in my stories. My research has led me to many inspiring true stories of faith and courage during these times of trial, and I want to capture that same kind of faith and courage in my own characters.
Tell us about your newest book.
Once Beyond A Time is a historical novel with a twist. That twist places the book in the speculative category as well. I’ve also been known to call the book a non-paranormal paranormal novel. At first glance it looks as though some of the characters are ghosts, but that’s not the case at all. The main characters, the Crane family, move into a house in the mountains of North Carolina in the summer of 1967. They soon discover they’re able to see and speak with residents of the house who lived there in 1916, and who will live there in 2005. The story has to do with time; or rather, God’s timelessness. As the Alpha and the Omega, he stretches from the beginning to the end, unlike humans who occupy only one point in time. I wondered what it would be like if there were a place where all of time is happening at once, and where people could see into time the way God does (though still in a limited way).
Why do you write? What drives you?
The love of story. Stories entertain us, but more than that, they inspire us, touch us, teach us, and help us make sense of a sometimes seemingly senseless world. They also lift us up out of ourselves and allow us to live a thousand lives vicariously, which makes our own life so much richer.
What is the hardest part of being an author? Why?
The hardest part is fighting the temptation to compare myself to other authors. Publishing is an industry of numbers—how many books have you sold? How many awards have you won? I don’t want to feel I have to keep up with or do better than anyone else; I simply want to write for the love of story and with the hope of touching the hearts of my readers.
What’s the best part of your author’s life? Why?
The best part is hearing from my readers and knowing they have been inspired or even changed by one of my stories. I have kept a hard copy of every letter I’ve ever received.
What is the craziest thing you’ve experienced as an author?
Some years ago, a couple of women traveled from Michigan to North Carolina to meet me because they had read and enjoyed my books. I felt honored that they would travel that far to visit with me. When I told my middle-school-aged daughter they were coming, she laughed heartily and said, “They’re coming all that way to meet you?” I had to laugh with her. My daughter saw me for what I was—a simple mom from the ’burbs who happens also to write novels. She tells me I’m the best mom ever, and what she thinks of me as a mother matters more to me than what others think of me as a writer.
What are you most proud of?
Adopting my daughter from China as an infant and watching her grow up to be a beautiful and compassionate young lady. She truly is my pride and joy.
What is your favorite pastime?
Reading! I don’t go anywhere without a book. My second favorite pastime is hunting for treasures in our local second-hand bookstores so I always have ample provisions for my first favorite pastime.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
Yes, I have ten other novels, including I’ll Watch the Moon and Promises to Keep. All my books are listed on my website and on Amazon.
What are you working on now?
The story I’m working on is another historical-speculative novel. The main character is a young girl whose family belongs to a troupe of Vaudevillians in 1918. Annalise Rycroft is a talented singer who dreams of becoming a star and is driven to succeed–until she has an unexpected face-to-face encounter with three of her favorite fictional characters. Each character has something to tell her, and together they change the direction of her life.
Website: anntatlock.com
Link to book: http://tinyurl.com/ycov3ohw
Social media links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ann.tatlock.1
Twitter: @AnnTatlock
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-tatlock-a319995/