LOG CABIN CHRISTMAS - Jane Kirkpatrick, Liz Tolzma, Michelle Ule, Debra Ullrick, Erica Vetch - 4 Free Books

I'm really thrilled to be featuring the authors of this novella collection. It contains nine novellas set during American Pioneer Christmases. We have five of them here today.

Welcome, Jane. How did your story for the collection come about?

While working on a history book about a Christian community of the 19th century (to accompany a three book novel series) I read a copy of a quilt historian journal.  It told the story of a signature quilt with all the blocks done by different women for a single man.  That gave me the idea for The Courting Quilt.

What are you reading right now?

I'm reading Sandra Byrd's To Die For, set in 16th century. I'm also reading a biography of Dorthea Dix.

What other books have you had published?

I'm the author eighteen novels (my first contemporary comes out next month!) and three non-fiction titles. This is my first venture into the novella realm and I'll be joining three other others next year for the Midwife's Legacy, also with Barbour.

What is the hardest thing about writing a part of a novella collection?

For me it was writing within that 20,000 word limit since a couple of my novels are tomes of 130,000 words -- back when those big books were acceptable. Because we could each write in the setting we wished with the thread between us being the log cabin, we were pretty independent. With the Midwife novella collection, we needed to tie the pieces together more and that was fun and challenging too.

How did collaborating with this team impact you? 

I'd never written what I would call a sweet romance before so discovering how others have done that was a good impact. I read the other authors works (not their contributions to this piece) so I could get a feel for their voice. It was very enriching.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

They just came to me! Mary Bishop and Richard Taylor are the primaries.

What did you want the reader to take away from your story? 

That our initial reactions to people and events are not always the best judge.  And I hope it's a light story that helps people see that even in the worst of times, there can be a silver lining stitched by the hand of God.

Are you a member of American Christian Fiction Writers?

If so, why?  Yes. Mostly to keep up with the business of writing, the marketplace, be exposed to writers at various stages of their career and to help cheer people on (and maybe have a little cheer myself!)

What is the best piece of advice you received as an author?

Write the best story you can and always have a "story" about the story because people often remember you as the storyteller as much as they will your story.

Where can my readers find you on the Internet? 

My website is http://www.jkbooks.com  where you can visit my blog www.janeswordsofencouragement.blogspot.com  or my dog's blog www.bodaciousbothedog.blogspot.com  who has more followers than I do I think!  I'm also on facebook https://www.facebook.com/theauthorjanekirkpatrick

Now we'll talk with Liz Tolsma. Welcome, Liz. How did your story for the collection come about?

I actually did the research for the story years ago when we were on vacation. As we were in the logging museum, the story came to me. I wrote the first three chapters and it sat in my desk until the call came for a Christmas novella centered around a log cabin. God’s timing is perfect.

What are you reading right now?

Right now I’m reading several different books by different publishers as I prepare to pitch two projects at the ACFW conference in September. I’m looking forward to reading Sarah Sundin’s WWII novel Blue Skies Tomorrow.

What other books have you had published?

I have two short stories, "A Mother’s Love" and "As American As They Come" in the collection Cup of Comfort for Adoptive Families.

What is the hardest thing about writing a part of a novella collection?

The word count limit. I struggled so hard with this, but it helped make the story tighter and better in the end.

How did collaborating with this team impact you?

I’m so privileged to be part of a book with these wonderful authors and humbled that I was chosen to participate with them.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

My neighbor named her daughter Adelaide and I loved the old-fashioned sound of it. Adie is one of my daughter’s friends at school. Noah, also, sounded old-fashioned and yet was a name I loved.

What did you want the reader to take away from your story?

I want them to come away with the peace and comfort that God is covering us under his wings. There we can take refuge from all the world’s storms.

Are you a member of American Christian Fiction Writers? If so, why?

Yes, I’m a member and have been for many years. My mentor Andrea Boeshaar encouraged me to join when it was still American Christian Romance Writers. I’ve never regretted it. This book wouldn’t have been possible if I weren’t a member.

What is the best piece of advice you received as an author?

Never give up. It took seven years from the time I wrote the first words of this book until it was published. You never know when or where your story will fit.

Where can my readers find you on the Internet?

They can find me at www.liztolsma.com and I’d love to have them join me at www.liztolsma.blogspot.com. I’m also on Facebook and on Twitter.

Michelle Ule has joined us. Welcome, Michelle. How did your story for the collection come about? 

My agent, Janet Grant of Books & Such, heard about the collection and suggested I come up with a story idea. I have a log cabin story from my family history that fit the bill and I wrote two chapters and a synopsis the day I got the invitation. It was a joy to fashion a story about people in my past whom I admired.

What are you reading right now?

The Paris Wife by Paula McClain (I wrote my senior thesis at UCLA on Ernest Hemingway)

What other books have you had published?

None!  This is the first one. For an interesting perspective on my reaction to seeing my name on a book, see my blog here: 

http://michelleule.wordpress.com/2011/08/24/the-humility-of-a-published-book.

What is the hardest thing about writing a part of a novella collection?

Knowing the stories written by my co-writers. That was not a problem with this collection, but on two others I've "auditioned" for, it was complicated meshing our story lines together.

How did collaborating with this team impact you? 

It's been fun to share the joy and the honor of publishing with such fine writers.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Most came from my family history, the others were chosen based on popular names in 1836 Texas.

What did you want the reader to take away from your story? 

It's important to "do the right thing," particularly to forgive, when loved ones are involved.

Are you a member of American Christian Fiction Writers? If so, why? 

Yes. I've been a member four or five years; for the networking opportunities, to enter the Genesis contest (finalist last year) and to keep track of events in the changing world of Christian fiction.

What is the best piece of advice you received as an author? 

Write out of your heart and emotions. 

Where can my readers find you on the Internet? 

http:michelleule.wordpress.com 

Now we're welcoming Debra Ullrick. How did your story for the collection come about?

My fabulous agent Tamela Hancock Murray contacted me, telling me that Barbour was looking for log cabin novellas. Since I actually lived in an old homestead, stayed in many historical log cabins, and had access to several log cabins and their history, I thought it would be fun. Toss in my Germans from Russia heritage and A Grand County Christmas was born.

What are you reading right now?

A Prairie Christmas Collection

What other books have you had published?

Besides my novella in A Log Cabin Christmas, The Bride Wore Coveralls, Déjà vu Bride, Dixie Hearts, The Unexpected Bride, The Unlikely Wife, and Christmas Belles of Georgia.

What is the hardest thing about writing a part of a novella collection?

None of these were hard at all. However, if I had to say something, maybe it was keeping the details straight. In Christmas Belles of Georgia, the heroines are identical quads, so we had to make sure we had the same height, eye color, and the letter from the lawyer had to say the same thing and have the same dates. But, Jeanie Smith Cash, whose idea this was, made it easy by supplying all of us with that information. Thank you, Jeanie!

How did collaborating with this team impact you?

We didn’t really collaborate on A Log Cabin Christmas because they were all individual stories.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

By looking online. I looked around until their names clicked with me.

What did you want the reader to take away from your story?

That we need to trust God no matter how dire our circumstances look. Sometimes the biggest blessings come from our biggest trials.

Are you a member of American Christian Fiction Writers?

If so, why? Yes. Because it’s a wonderful group of Christian writers, and I’ve made some fabulous friends because of it. Plus, I sold my first book at an ACRW conference. (That’s what the ACFWwas called back then. Those initials stand for… American Christian Romance Writers)

What is the best piece of advice you received as an author?

If you find someone who understands your voice and your style, who doesn’t try to change them, hang on to them, they are worth their weight in gold.

Where can my readers find you on the Internet?

On my website at www.debraullrick.com or Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, and Shoutlife.

The last author joining us is Erica Vetsch. Glad to have you, Erica.  How did your story for the collection come about?

The first story I pitched for this collection didn’t make the cut because it was too similar to the story Margaret Brownley had pitched. Thankfully, Becky Germany asked me to submit another story idea, and this novella popped into my head. I’m so glad it did, as I really love the characters and storyline for Christmas Service.

What are you reading right now?

I’m reading Anne Mateer’s debut novel Wings of a Dream. It’s excellent!

What other books have you had published?

I’ve had eight Heartsongs, a 3-in-1 collection of Heartsongs called Idaho Brides, this Christmas novella, as well as my debut trade-length novel also releasing this month titled A Bride’s Portrait of Dodge City, Kansas.

What is the hardest thing about writing a part of a novella collection?

The tight word count. I always have to watch my story lengths.

How did collaborating with this team impact you?

I’m really honored to be a part of this group of novelists. Such stellar writers. I’ve really enjoyed reading everyone’s stories. There’s really a great mix of settings, ethnicities, and writing styles. Though we worked autonomously on our stories, it was really great knowing I was going to be part of such a wonderful group of writers.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

 My heroine is named after my pastor’s daughter, Elizabeth Sorensen, and my hero, Todd Rambek, is named after a family I met a few years ago from Norway. The Rambeks were staying in Rochester for a year on a work project.

What did you want the reader to take away from your story?

A fun read that puts them in the mood for Christmas, and that they will be reminded what true service in the Church is all about.

Are you a member of American Christian Fiction Writers? If so, why?

Yes, ma’am, I am a member, because of all the benefits I receive and the wonderful fellowship. I’ve made so many friends in the writing business through ACFW.

What is the best piece of advice you received as an author?

I’ve received a lot of very good advice. For today, since I’m working on this particular thing in the story I’m writing now, I’ll say no conflict, no story. You have to have conflict, or your story is boring.

Where can my readers find you on the Internet?

On my blog at www.onthewritepath.blogspot.com/

On twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/EricaVetsch

On Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Erica-Vetsch/168952446490736

Thank you, Jane, Liz, Michelle, Debra, and Erica for the fun interview.

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A Log Cabin Christmas: 9 Historical Romances during American Pioneer Christmases


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