I recently had the great pleasure of writing a mystery for Journey Fiction’s Nosy Parker series based on ‘grown-up’ fans of the girl detective—girls of the fifties who’d obsessively read those books many of us also grew up with. My original idea was to have a 1950s heroine with a history degree become involved with […]
Behind the Scenes: Author Darlene Franklin cooks up a Christmas tale
I absolutely love writing Christmas stories. A full twenty percent of my books are Christmas-themed, and I hope to write a new nativity story every year until I stop writing! I’ve written historical and contemporary Christmas romance in settings ranging from Vermont to Florida, Rhode Island to Wyoming. I’ve written light-hearted romps and stories inspired […]
Behind the Scenes: Author Jenna Brandt interviews a character
The English Proposal is set in Victorian England and concerns Lady Margaret, a young noblewoman. But what is her maid Sarah thinking? Let’s find out. If you had a free day with no responsibilities and your only mission was to enjoy yourself, what would you do? “I would go into town and purchase a scone […]
Behind the Scenes: Author Regina Rudd Merrick learns to take critique
As a reader of christian fiction, I had no idea what was involved in the publication process. I thought surely the finished product from the author was so pristine that none would dare toy with the lilting voice of the writer. You believe that until you join a critique group. Or send it to an […]
Behind the Scenes: Author Tamera Lynn Kraft fell in love with the Greatest Generation
Alice’s Notions is the story I always wanted to write. The 1940s was such an interesting period of time to write about. This generation was called “the greatest generation” for good reason. This was the generation, forged in the trials of the Great Depression, who put their lives on hold and sacrificed everything to fight […]
Behind the Scenes: Author Rose Verde sets her story in a national park
My publisher wanted some stories set in the National Parks across the US. So, I started doing some research. Finally, I zeroed on the Great Smoky Mountain Park. Next, I needed to figure out who my heroes would be. I then settled for a medically discharged US Marine. I wanted him to be a park […]
Behind the Scenes: Author Johnnie Alexander recalls a childhood on the farm
See below for giveaway! The strong sense of place imbedded in my Misty Willow Series comes from all the childhood moments, those forgotten and those I will never forget, that made up my life on a central Ohio farm. We moved there when I seven or eight, living first in the upstairs apartment of a […]
Behind the Scenes: Author Donna Schlachter says research isn’t work
I always thought history was boring, probably because about the only thing I remember is memorizing dates for the reigns of monarchs (I’m from Canada, so we focused on British history). And I don’t do well with memorizing. But give me a tidbit of historical information, like the Pony Express, and I’m off to the […]
We’ve got a finalist in another contest!
Our book Cruel Messenger by Timothy W. Ayers is getting another nod from contest judges. The Christian Editor Connection is announcing finalists for its Excellence in Editing Award. Final results will be announced at the end of June. Cruel Messenger is already a finalist for the Realm Award this year, choosing the best speculative fiction written by […]
Behind the Scenes: Author Victoria Kimble recalls junior high school
I don’t know if this is true for all writers, but I have a very vivid memory. It takes no effort at all for me to conjure up the sights, smells, and, most importantly, feelings of certain times in my life. Junior high is such a time for me. I can still picture my locker, […]