Posted by Nicole on May 31, 2010 in History | 0 comments
Military Cemetery in Baker City, Eastern Oregon
This Memorial Day, let’s all take a moment to pause.
Yes, this is a day off for many – but let’s remember those who are overseas and who have served our country without question. This is more than some excuse to sleep in or get to that to-do list at home. This is a meaningful day in our year in which we are meant to observe.
Two years ago, I went with my then-fiance and his family to see his grandfather’s flag flown at the military cemetery in which he is buried. The sky was as blue as could be and the American flags flew high and proud that day. Seeing the families and men in uniform brought a joy to my heart and a gratitude like none other. I’ll never forget that experience with my family.
Though I didn’t get to know my husband’s grandfather very well, I have heard the stories and know he was a rare breed – a true cowboy and a man among men. He served our country in the Navy and raised a family I love dearly. We all love him and remember him.
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Posted by Nicole on May 28, 2010 in Story Behind the Story | 0 comments
We’re back with author Robert Elmer.
What was the greatest challenge with “Wildflowers”?
“The scenes where Hanne found herself in the worst trouble were the hardest for me to write. It was an emotional challenge, and I think readers will recognize those scenes.”
What resources helped you the most in your research?
“Books written during the forties, first person accounts… good thing I can read Danish!”
Why do you think accuracy so important in historical fiction?
“It’s fiction, but as writers of the genre we’re making the proposition to our readers that “this could have happened.” In order to stay true to that proposition, we need to do our homework, so as not to mislead.”
Can you share your journey to publication? What was the biggest struggle?“About my writing journey… I was a voracious reader when I was little, and always wanted to write things. In the third grade I put together a family newspaper and started writing essays just because. But I was a typical boy, too, and liked being out on my bike just as much as anything else. So I didn’t really start getting serious about writing until I was in intermediate and high school.
“Before I had a chance to write novels I was a news reporter and editor, advertising and PR writer, college administrator and pastor. Today I still write marketing kinds of writing. I have a degree in communications and Bible from Simpson College in San Francisco and an elementary teaching credential.
“I started writing books when my own kids were young, and penned the first draft of my first book in longhand, riding to and from work on the bus. And here I am, 56 books later! Whew!”
What advice do you have for a newbie authors?
“I do a bit of mentoring through the Christian Writers Guild, and have enjoyed leading a lot of writing workshops at Christian schools. I tell students not to give up, and not to choose a life path based on how much money they think they can make. Please! Even if they don’t end up making their primary living as a writer (most won’t) God still wants us to tell our stories to the world, and God still looks for people who will communicate hope through stories and writing. If not us, then who?”
Thank you for joining us, Robert! Check out Wildflowers of Terezin!
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Posted by Nicole on May 26, 2010 in Story Behind the Story | 0 comments
Welcome Robert Elmer, author of more than 50 books, including Wildflowers of Terezin, which I reviewed here. Here is a little about his books and writing journey.
Who are your major influences?
“Many of my fellow Christian writers have influenced my stories, people whose stories I’ve read and thought, “I’d like to write something like that!” Right offhand I think of Francine Rivers (Leota’s Garden), Lisa Bergren (The Bridge) and Bill Myers (Eli).”
What is your favorite historical era? What draws you to that era?
“I hate to use the word “favorite,” because it was an awful time, but World War 2 was a crucible of conflict and character that brought out the worst and the best in people. It’s a time I’ve always been interested in writing about.”
What do you enjoy most about writing historical fiction?
“I want my readers to lose themselves momentarily in the real world where faith matters and God is in control. Outside of my books, faith of course still matters and God is still in control. Problem is, sometimes it can get so foggy out here, it’s tough to really see. In my stories I pull away the fog and show let readers experience the world the way it’s supposed to be, whether that’s in the past, present, or future.”
Will you give me a quick synopsis of your book? “Here’s what Amazon says about Wildflowers of Terezin: Wildflowers of Terezin is a sweeping historical novel set against a backdrop of danger. A Danish Lutheran pastor’s complacent faith is stretched to the breaking point during World War II when he meets a young Jewish nurse Hanne Abrahamsen and becomes deeply involved in Resistance efforts to save Denmark’s Jews from the Nazi prison camp at Terezin, Czechoslovakia—also known as Theresienstadt.
“Challenged by his activist brother and swayed by his own attraction to Hanne, Pastor Steffen abandons his formerly quiet, uninvolved life and hesitantly volunteers to help smuggle Denmark’s Jews out of the country before a Nazi roundup. Steffen finds that helping his Jewish neighbors is the most decent, spiritual thing he has ever done. As he actually does God’s work, rather than just talking about it, Steffen’s faith deepens and he takes greater risks in his sermons.
“When things go terribly wrong and Hanne is sent to Terezin, Steffen finds his heart fully engaged. He undertakes protests and rescues that are more and more dangerous, never imagining where it will lead him, or the ultimate cost of his decision to get directly involved.”
What was your favorite part of writing “Wildflowers”?
“My favorite part was the feeling of connection to my Danish family’s story, and in representing the courage of the Danish people as best I could. It was the story I had to tell, and it gave me the greatest satisfaction to write.”
Check back on Friday to learn Elmer’s road to publication and his thoughts on historical fiction being accurate. And look for Wildflowers of Terezin from Abingdon Press in bookstores!
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Posted by Nicole on May 24, 2010 in Book Reviews, Writing | 0 comments
What makes a great character? The Elizabeth Bennetts, the Scarlett O’Haras, the Harry Potters…What is it that captivates the audience and molds those characters into literary history?
My official conclusion: it’s the quirks. There must be something unique about the character that sticks in your mind. The stereotypical characters are quickly forgotten. But when it is a stereotypical character with something so unforgettable, he or she becomes exactly that. Unforgettable.
One of my favorite examples: Violet from Lynn Austin’s A Proper Pursuit.
This Christy-Award winning book is full of rich historical detail surrounding the 1893 Chicago World Fair, but what makes it a truly beautiful read is the characters.
We’ve got the adventurous, vivacious Violet, who goes to live with her Grandmother in Chicago to avoid a dull suitor at home. With the help of her Grandmother and three great-aunts, she ends up with three more suitors – the evangelist, the handsome rich boy, the traveling salesman who isn’t exactly what he seems.
Each character has something memorable: Birdie, one of her great-aunts, is stuck in 1860s and waiting for her husband to return from the war. Maddie, another great-aunt, is boisterous for women’s rights after a broken engagement tainted her views on marriage.
But it is Violet I really love.
After years in a finishing school, she seeks escape in detective novels that a proper girl should not read. And her favorite past time? Asking questions, such as: “If you had to choose, would you rather be a butterfly or firefly?” “If you had to choose poverty with the one you love or wealth to someone you don’t love, which would you pick.”
How her suitors respond to her hypothetical queries reveal more to their characters and her own. Pure character building genius.
You tell me – what makes a great character in your eyes? Any good examples?
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Posted by Nicole on May 21, 2010 in Story Behind the Story | 0 comments
Will you give a quick synopsis of your books?
“May 3, 2011 is the tentative date for the release of, Secrets of the Heart, which is Book One of, The Ravensmoore Chronicles, a tale of romantic suspense where an English noblewoman meets a titled gentleman whose desire to practice medicine could ruin any chance for love. You can read the first chapter on my website under the Books tab. I’ll be sharing more information on books two and three at a later time based on recommendations at Strang/Realms.”
Can you share your journey to being contracted? What was the biggest struggle?
“That’s a novel. ☺ In a nutshell, I’d say, learning the craft, practicing the craft, coping with full-time job and trying to write, coping with family problems (child’s disability) and trying to keep the entire family and marriage going, and trying to write. Lucky, for me I’ve got a great hubby. Attending many conferences and workshops has really kept me going. I guess it’s all a struggle; it’s just that some parts of it are more difficult than other parts at different times.”
What advice do you have for newbie authors?
“Persevere, hope, stay in the word, surround yourself with intelligent people, and don’t work so hard on one manuscript hoping for publication that you don’t write more books. It takes awhile and I wish I’d written more novels, but I’m not going to be too hard on myself because I really did the best I could possibly do under the circumstances. And God really does know what is best for us. If I’d been contracted sooner I probably could not have kept up with expectations. Read outside your genre as well as in it, and read both CBA and ABA fiction.”
Were there ever times in your writing you lost hope and nearly gave up? What kept you going?
“My oldest daughter became severely depressed when she was eleven years old and suffers from a developmental disability known as a non-verbal learning disability (NVLD) similar to Asperger’s Disorder. In fact some specialists think that children with severe forms of NVLD also have Aspergers.
http://www.nldontheweb.org/ It was heart-breaking because these kids appear gifted until they reach the 4th or 5th grade and then- to put it gently- all hell breaks loose. Very complicated mental health issues ensued, and there have been many challenges these past ten years but also progress. That kind of family stress takes its toll. I constantly considered not writing at all.
“However, my relationship with Jesus, my church family, my hubby, both my kids, my crit group, conferences, prayer loops at ACFW and FHL, friends, and a whole lot of Bible study, on my knees prayer, and the writing process helped me keep my own sanity.”
Thank you, Jillian, for stopping by! Look for Secrets of the Heart from Realms in May 2011.
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We’re back with author Robert Elmer.
One of my favorite examples: Violet from Lynn Austin’s A Proper Pursuit.
Back for day two of the interview with author Jillian Kent!
