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Do you love it when authors hide little bits of their personal life in their stories? What about their personal favorites? My friend Erin Howard does just that with hers. And it happens to be one of my favorites too. see what you think.  I love how Easter eggs from my family, friends, or favorite movies naturally find their way into my new stories. Every story is full of things from my life. Whether it’s an inside joke that a friend might get, or inspiration from how my husband and I banter back and forth, or a crochet item because my Nanny was the one who inspired me to crochet and made the most beautiful afghans.
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 Last Christmas, my dear friend Heather Greer gave me the cutest little notebooks. Big enough to be able write something but small enough to fit in a purse. I'd only used them on a couple of occasions before now. But we're in soccer season again, which means sometimes I spend an evening sitting on the side of a field while my nine-year-old gets some energy out and the sun sets.
At first, I thought I would just take a book and let myself enjoy the "quiet." Then, I realized the hour could be used even better. A lot of people think more about Jesus around the Christmas season. Author Wade Webster has woven a fictional look at the different parts of the story of Jesus' birth along with devotional thoughts, just perfect for people wanting something different during Advent. Today, he's giving us a sneak peek.  "Will we see Messiah in our life, Abba?" The voice came from Mary's brother but the words came from her heart.
"It could happen, Sol. There are rumors of an angel sighting in Jerusalem, but it's been more than four centuries since Yahweh has spoken to us, his people. The last time I was in Jerusalem I overheard Simeon say he would not die before he saw the Lord's annointed. As old as he is I would say it should happen any day now." The father gave a boisterous laugh. The voices outside caught Sol's attention. "May I go play now, Abba?"  Do you like being in the hot seat? The one who is the center of attention?
Honestly, it doesn't usually bother me, but it's a little different when it comes to book club. I have no idea why. Rendersella was the chosen read for this month. And everyone in our book club loves me. And is usually fairly kind as we unpack a book and tell why we did or did not like it. But this was MY book. It's easy to take for granted the convenience of picking up a phone and having a firetruck come in an emergency. Author Kelly Goshorn did quite a bit of research for her newest historical fiction, The Undercover Heiress of Brockton. The story sounds wonderful and the information she's sharing today is fascinating. See if you agree.  March 20, 2025, marked the 120th anniversary of the catastrophic steam boiler explosion at the R.B. Grover Shoe Factory that is central to the plot of the novel. My hero, Leo Eriksson, is a second-generation firefighter. His father and brothers are also firemen stationed together at the Campello firehouse, historically located on the same block as the ill-fated shoe factory.
 Quite a few of my stories end up having a verse or two that runs through them, strengthening the characters. Or challenging them. But I don't often start writing knowing those scriptures are going to be the ones my fingers add to the writing as I type. And yes, my brain really does work that way when writing.
That being said, however, as I plot and imagine scenes for my next story, Beauty School and the Beast, I have several scriptures that keep popping up in my head. And I love that this novel is starting with scripture instead of just allowing the Spirit to move as I compose.  I had no idea that other people started college as art majors and ended up authors too. But apparently, Patience O'Brien also started college as an art major. Want to know more about that as well as her gorgeous new Historical Romance? Read on! 1) Pat, your cover is beautiful. What moved you to write historical romance?
Thank you for your cover compliment--it's so appreciated! I've been reading historicals since grade school and enjoyed books like Jane Eyre and Little Women--their sweet touches of romance inspired me. 2) As an artist, do you find the creativity from one part of your life meshes with the other? Does one feed the other? At one time it was all about art. I graduated with a Masters in art & education; but in college I also enjoyed writing stories and poetry for campus publications. I won a few prizes in writing and one professor told me outright I'd chosen the wrong field to pursue. (he told me this in my 4th yr. 🙄 ) |
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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