Welcome, Shirley. Tell
us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
Not much—once I outline a story the characters begin to take
on a life of their own. But I do frequently dole out characteristics (both
physical and personality traits) that I’ve noticed in other people and bestow
them upon my characters.
What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
Hmm, well, one of the most embarrassing was the time I went
running across the moors in Yorkshire ,
England ,
pretending to be Cathy in Wuthering
Heights, with my friend Debbie egging me on. So with arms outstretched, I
dashed out across the heather shouting, “Heathcliff, Heathcliff!” An elderly
Englishman, apparently out for walk, came up over the rise, replying, “Yes,
luv, how can I help you?”
Was my face red!
When did you first
discover that you were a writer?
When I was 12 and in the 7th grade. I’d just finished Little Women and idolized Jo March. I
started a journal and filled it with stories. I made up my mind then to pursue
writing as a career.
Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I am a voracious nonfiction reader, and I love reading
memoirs by missionaries and other generally unknown or long-forgotten
individuals, such as the travel journals of Isabella Bird and Mary Kingsley. I
love Georgette Heyer (the inspiration for Prudence Pursued) and romantic
suspense.
How do you keep your
sanity in our run, run, run world?
My local Community Bible Study class is an enormous blessing
to me. As part of the leaders’ council, I meet with my sisters on both Tuesdays
and Thursdays. Those 6 hours a week keep me on an even keel.
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
Sometimes I use a phone book from the location where the
novel is set. Other times, I glean names from journals or biographies. Other
times, I select a name that exemplifies the character I am writing about—such
as Prudence.
What is the
accomplishment that you are most proud of?
I raised two children who “fear the Lord” and walk in His
ways. Not an easy task in any age and one we shouldn’t take for granted. And
I’m thankful that they do.
What is your favorite
food?
I love lemon anything—especially lemon meringue pie. I like
dark chocolate covered lemon creams from Ethel M’s. Hmmm! I love New Mexico green chile
in most everything too.
What is the problem
with writing that has been your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome
it?
Guilt has been a problem over the years, not the sort of
guilt that leads one to lament, “I should be writing more often,” but the more
deadly variety that I shouldn’t spend so much time writing—that I need to
volunteer more or scrub the baseboards or organize the family photos in
color-coordinated albums.
Tell us about the
featured book.
At the advanced age of twenty-seven, Prudence Pentyre is on
the shelf. Content to occupy her time by attending meetings of Mr.
Wilberforce’s Abolition Society, Prudence is resolved to see that her younger
cousin Margaret, shy and plain, does not share her own unmarried fate.
Despite her best efforts, all of Prudence’s matchmaking
attempts fail. Margaret proves reluctant to accept Sir James Brownell’s
marriage proposal, and fears being “bovinised” if she undergoes the
controversial cowpox vaccination he recommends. And the dashing baronet—with
his sunburned skin, eye patch, and unfashionable attire—seems more concerned
about the plight of headhunters in Borneo than
Margaret’s stubborn refusal of his offer.
Prudence, on the other hand, finds herself unexpectedly
smitten with the man. Can she trust that God’s plan for her life is richer and
more rewarding than the one she had planned for herself?
Please give us the
first page of the book.
“You should not wear that
to the pox party,” Prudence Pentyre said, indicating her younger cousin’s dress
of light green Italian silk. “I recommend something with short sleeves which
allows you to expose your forearm to the lancet.”
Margaret shuddered. Her plain face, pale and lightly
freckled, appeared downcast. “Oh, Pru, I wish I didn’t have to go.” She stood,
slender shoulders drooping, in front of her open wardrobe.
“Truly, Meg, there’s nothing to worry about,” Prudence
assured her, slipping a comforting arm around her cousin’s slim waist. “Papa
had all of us vaccinated with the cow pox when we were still in the school
room—and the servants too. I’m quite surprised my Uncle Giles didn’t do the
same,” Prudence replied.
A glint of disapproval flashed in her soft brown eyes.
Silently, she fumed. Uncle Giles had held too many old-fashioned notions. Such
an old stick! He was dead now, having suffered an apoplexy two years ago. Her
mother, if she knew of Prudence’s unspoken condemnation, would have reminded
her not to speak ill of the dead. This dictate had never made sense to
Prudence. Why were some of life’s most unsavory characters deemed to be saints
after their deaths? Not that Uncle Giles was unsavory, but he had been
shamefully old-fashioned.
“Look, Meg, there’s not even a scar.” Prudence held out a
white arm for her cousin’s perusal. “Mr. Jenner’s procedure is almost painless
and quite safe, much safer than buying the smallpox and enduring the dreaded
disease.”
“Papa didn’t believe in it. He said it was God’s will some
people should die of the small pox,” Margaret said, turning away from her to
examine an array of dresses hanging in the wardrobe.
“God is not so cruel,” Prudence insisted.
“Some say the vaccination will cause one’s facial features
to resemble those of a cow,” Margaret ventured, her forehead creasing with
anxious wrinkles.
Prudence laughed. “Neither John or Patience have any cowlike
features, and you can see for yourself I do not.” Slightly unsettled by her
cousin’s close examination, Prudence shrugged.
“Yes, look at me, Meg! Do I resemble a cow? I can assure you
I don’t have a cow tail hidden beneath my skirts either. None of us have
bovinized, as you fear. I believe Mr. Jenner’s procedure to have been
God-inspired. Truly. Papa has preached this same opinion from the pulpit. Mr.
Jenner took notice how milkmaids and dairy farmers did not succumb to the
deadly small pox plague when there was an outbreak in their village. It was
because of their exposure to the harmless cowpox. It was an amazing observation
which will benefit us all.”
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
Readers can contact me through my website at www.shirleyrayeredmond.com or
visit my author facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shirley-Raye-Redmond-Author/533496973399344Thank you, Shirley, for sharing your new book with us.
Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Prudence Pursued - Kindle
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18 comments:
Portsmouth, VA
Have never thought about people's reactions to the first uses of the smallpox vacine.
Thanks for the opportunity for a giveaway.
A J Hawke
Texas
I am intrigued by this one! Thank you for the great interview and giveaway!
Melanie Backus, TX
Beautiful cover!
Rebecca D.
Oregon
I remember getting my smallpox vaccination.
My mother saved the box the shields came in to put over the blister that formed on your arm.
Thanks for entering me in your giveaway.
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Florida
I like how you pick names. That's a question I sometimes wonder. How do they come up with them? I would Never have imagined the Phone Book ! !
D Stevens from Nebraska
I also think that is neat how you pick names!!! And the cover - it looks so soft and gentle!!
Beth from IA
I'm looking forward to reading more about Prudence.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
Indiana
Thanks for the giveaway!
So thankful for the advances in modern medicine, but I know anything new always brings a bit of skepticism!
Patty in SV
So impressed with your book cover-love the pink and just partial view of the heroine. Nice. I also like that Prudence does matchmaking and finally falls in love herself when she least expects it. You are a new author to me. sm CA wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com
Enter me!!
Conway, SC.
Prudence sounds fabulous! Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
Kristen in OK
kam110476 at gmail dot com
Thanks so much for the giveaway!
Sydney Harries GA
Wisconsin jksfamily5@gmail.com
It was neat to read about this author - I have characters who love lemon.
Hi Shirley, I LOVE Georgette Heyer, too! (Fave would be Arabella...or The Grand Sophy...or The Nonesuch...)
I've always thought there should be more Christian-flavoured Regencies, so looking forward to the chance to read yours!
Carolyn, NSW, Australia
camillering at bigpond dot com
Nice interview and I loved hearing about your book. It sounds delightful!!
carlagade {at} gmail {dot} com
I've never read any of Shirley's books before. Thanks for the chance to win it.
Amanda T. from Michigan
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