 I have been published six times since 2017. And I've signed contracts for four more publications this year and next. Well, correction. Because now I've signed two more contracts!
And it never gets old. Seriously, there is always a little thrill when the email comes through with the attached document to print and sign. Because it means someone else believes in my story and is willing to take a chance on it, too. So, want to know what I signed?
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 Have you read all of Jane Austen's novels? There's only six of them, believe it or not. And only about three or four of them were published before she passed away.
At some point, I've read all six. I've read four of them multiple times, and usually reread at least one a year. But this year, I'm going back through all of them. And marking pages (with sticky notes--nothing permanent!). Why? Valentine's day is a day everyone thinks of as romantic. If you're in a relationship, you usually at least get a card, maybe some chocolate or flowers, and a hug or kiss. My husband and I tend to celebrate the week before Valentine's because it's when we originally started dating, but we still at least wish each other happy on the day itself. And my kids are all into giving and receiving cards and candy. But what if you get a gift and don't know what to think about it? Has that ever happened to you? Did you ever have a secret--or not-so-secret admirer? Get a surprise bouquet? My character, Chris, in Writing Home, has that happen to her. I thought you might enjoy reliving this fun scene where she first gets flowers--and freaks out a little bit.  "UM, CHRIS?”
Chris glanced up from her computer screen as Danielle’s voice pulled her from the struggle of rearranging all of one doctor’s appointments on a week he suddenly decided he needed a vacation. On the other side of the plexiglass, brightly colored flowers stared back at her. She tentatively pushed the window open and tried to see around the bouquet. “Can I help you?” A delivery guy held the floral arrangement out. “Christiana Jones?” No way. Flowers for her? After she’d sat here all morning accepting deliveries for the other girls, fighting off jealousy, trying to not think about the fact that she didn’t have a Valentine of her own . . . again? “Yes . . . ” “These are for you.” The guy tipped his hat. “Happy Valentine’s Day.” “Thanks.” She set the vase down in front of her, hands trembling. Who? Who on earth could have sent these? She stilled as Gregory ran through her mind. Or Garrett.  Today, I have the pleasure of introducing you to Delores Topliff. She's a sister author with Scrivenings Press, and has a fascinating history. And she finds the neatest stories to weave into her books. I think you're going to be just as intrigued as I am about her newest one. Read on!
Delores, your newest book, Wilderness Wife, is based on the story of a real-life woman, Marguerite McLoughlin. What was it about her that inspired you to tell her story? I literally grew up in the shadow of Fort Vancouver, established by Marguerite and her second husband, Dr. John McLoughlin. Many know that the McLoughlins carved a vast empire out of a promising undeveloped wilderness. His accomplishments are well-known. Less is known about Marguerite. I researched her life and found solid gold. Marguerite Wadin MacKay believed her seventeen-year frontier contract marriage to explorer, Alex MacKay was strong—until sudden fame destroyed it. He returned from accompanying Alexander Mackenzie across Canada to the Pacific telling Marguerite their frontier marriage was void in Montreal where he would now go to choose a society wife. Taking their only son, MacKay sent Marguerite and their three daughters to a North West Company fur trade outpost. It wasn’t the first time she had been abandoned. Her Swiss fur-trader father was murdered before her eyes by a competitor when she was age seven. After abandonment Marguerite lived for her children but her courage carved out an unforgettable path and place in North American History. Together she and John are called the Mother and Father of the Pacific Northwest. She is known as "the kindest woman in Oregon." |
This is a place for me to tell you about what I'm writing, talk about the process or where some of my ideas came from, or even have other authors come in and talk about their books.
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