A PATCHWORK CHRISTMAS - Stephanie Grace Whitson, Judith Miller, Nancy Moser - 2 Free Books

It's that time of year again. Christmas stories and novella collections are coming out. I'm happy to host three of my favorite authors with their novella collection.

How did your story for the collection come about?

Stephanie: Many years ago I read an anecdote written by a sod house pioneer involving a snowbound train. It was only a couple of paragraphs of a pioneer’s memory, but the idea captivated me. When I heard that Barbour was open to new ideas for Christmas collections, I remembered that snowbound train on the prairie, and I contacted my agent to see if she thought Barbour would be interested in an anthology with a quilt theme. The answer was yes, so I invited two of my best writing friends—and two women whose historical fiction I admire—Judith Miller and Nancy Moser to join the project. 

What are you reading right now?

Judith:  I just finished Laura Frantz’s new book, Love’s Reckoning—I highly recommend it!

Nancy:  I’m rereading A Tale of Two Cities.  I love Dickens.

Steph: I’ve been re-reading A Patchwork Christmas, now that I have the actual book in my hands. It’s fun to see how Judy and Nancy’s stories ended up, after all our brain-storming and after the final edit. I’m also reading My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok.

What other books have you had published?

Judith: Since all of us are multi-published, it might be best for readers to take a peek at our websites where they’ll find complete lists of our books. www.judithmccoymiller.com  www.stephaniegracewhitson.com and www.nancymoser.com

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

Stephanie: For me personally, the “extras” were the hardest part about this project. Finding recipes our readers would enjoy, coordinating the craft projects, and then working out the details of the give-away associated with the book’s release took a lot more time than I thought it would. And I still have to make the doll quilt we’re giving away!

Nancy:  Writing short!  I’m used to writing over 100,000 words, so to write a story in 33,000?  That was a tough one.

How did collaborating with this team impact you?

Stephanie: It helped me a lot, because it was like having two extra editors, since we critiqued each other’s work as we developed our stories. I loved that part of the process.

Nancy:  I agree I like having two other pairs of eyes.  Plus, considering Judy and Steph are my best buds… it was a joy.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Nancy:  I go to the social security site, and put in the birth year for the most popular names: Names by Birth Year  This is for years 1879 and after, but many are applicable to earlier years too.

Steph: I collect names from local histories related to my setting and around the era that my story takes place. I also collect names from cemeteries.

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

Nancy:  God’s ways are not our ways.  And He is patient and will achieve His will even if we get on the wrong track!

Steph:  God is often doing His best work when, to us, it looks like circumstances out of our control have ruined everything.  

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

Judith: Yes, I joined back when the organization first began and have continued my         membership ever since. I enjoy the fellowship of other writers.

Steph: Yes, I’m a member. It’s a great resource, both for information and for fellowship.

Nancy:  Yes, I’m also a member.  It’s amazing how many writers there are, all with the same goal to publish for Him.

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

Nancy:  Be willing to edit, to take criticism.  Actually, editing is my favorite part because I finally get some feedback.  Often I’ve thought a story was right-on, when an editor showed me how it could be much, much better. 95% of the time, I implement their suggestions.

Where can my readers find you on the Internet?

www.stephaniewhitson.com, www.Facebook.stephaniegracewhitson.com, www.footnotesfromhistory.blogspot.com

www.judithmccoymiller.com, https://www.facebook.com/JudithMcCoyMiller

www.writespassage.blogspot.com

www.nancymoser.com, https://www.facebook.com/nancymoser.author

Thank you, ladies, for the interesting article. And I just love the quilt samples you shared with us.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
A Patchwork Christmas: Three Christmas Romances with Bonus Handcraft Patterns and Cookie Recipes - paperback
A Patchwork Christmas: Three Christmas Romances with Bonus Handcraft Patterns and Cookie Recipes - Kindle


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