Wednesday, October 29, 2014

WHERE TREETOPS GLISTEN - Tricia Goyer, Cara Putman, Sarah Sundin - One Free Book



Welcome, dear friends, to my blog. I’m thrilled to interview you together. How did your story for the collection come about?
Cara:  I’ve always loved Bing Crosby singing White Christmas, and it was perfect that the song became an instant hit in 1942, the year of my novella. I knew I wanted the heroine to work at the local candy store/soda fountain, and Sarah found out the puzzle company had been in business since long before WWII. But I needed a reason for my hero to work there and not in the war effort. So that got my thoughts spinning to a displaced farmer who suffered an illness as a child that keeps him out of the service. But what made him leave the farm? That legal issue became the pivot the story turned on.

Sarah: This story idea flew together so quickly that it’s hard to track. A sentimental Christmas song came on the radio, and it made me cry, and I hated that it made me cry. So being a writer, I analyzed why the song had such an emotional impact. A child in need…And suddenly little Linnie Kessler is looking in the department store window, hoping to see her daddy, her daddy who was killed in the war. Instead she sees Lt. Pete Turner, a fighter pilot running on empty. When Pete takes Linnie home, he’s captivated by the child’s widowed mother—who is not happy to see Pete. Her former bully.

What are you reading right now?
Tricia: I just finished The Bridge to Haven by Francine Rivers. It reminded me how much I adore her writing so I started A Voice in the Wind. It’s been about fifteen years since I read Francine’s Mark of the Lion series and I’m enjoying it!

Cara: Currently I’m reading The Story Keeper by Lisa Wingate and In Perfect Time by Sarah Sundin…oh, and some really exciting statistics and project management textbooks.

What other books have you had published?
Sarah: This is my first novella, so it was a lot of fun! I have six novels published, all set in World War II. My most recent release is In Perfect Time.

Tricia: I’ve published a bit of everything. I have forty-five books published. Most of those are historical fiction novels, but I’ve also written many Amish novels. I’ve also written parenting and marriage books, and books for teens. So you can say a bit of everything. This fall I also have a novella releasing in the Amish collection An Amish Second Christmas.

Cara: This is my 19th book, so I’m somewhere betwixt and between Sarah and Tricia. One of those was the Complete Idiots Guide to Business Law. The rest have been novels. A mix of WWII historical romances and contemporary romantic mysteries. Readers can learn more about my books and read first chapters at www.caraputman.com.

What is the hardest thing about writing a part of a novella collection?
Sarah: The hardest part was not “owning” all the characters. Both Abigail (Cara’s heroine) and Merry (Tricia’s heroine) appear in my story. It felt strange writing about Abigail and Merry—I wanted to capture them as Cara and Tricia had written them. We had a lot of email conversations along the lines of “What would Abigail be doing now?” “Would Pete really say that?” or “What is Merry feeling at this time?”

Cara: The coordination was a great challenge. Fortunately, Sarah is the spreadsheet queen, so she kept us on track. This is my third collection like this, and I love the collaborative aspects of working on collections.

How did collaborating with this team impact you?
Sarah: These ladies are high-energy idea generators. I’m a sloth, and I get one good story idea a year. Listening to them brainstorm taught me good lessons about letting ideas flow and change and shift directions.

Tricia: I was SO impressed by both of them. Sarah is so organized, and Cara is so fun and passionate. Honestly I’d work with them all the time if I could. It truly was a great team!

Cara: I’ve long admired Sarah and Tricia, so when I decided I wanted to explore writing a WWII Christmas collection, I knew I wanted to do it with them. I was THRILLED when they said yes. It was such fun to work together.

How do you choose your characters’ names?
Sarah: Linnie’s name came attached to her—I have no idea where it came from! For Pete and Grace, I looked at names popular in the era. Pete has the strong, no-nonsense quality, and Grace has such quiet beauty—and ironically my heroine needs to learn to extend grace. Also, Grace was my grandmother’s name. She passed away in March, long after I’d finished this story, but it was fitting to dedicate this novella to her.

Tricia: I chose Meredith because I wanted to use the Christmas song, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” I have a friend who was born on Christmas and her name is Merry, so I thought Merry could be short for Meredith. As for the other characters, I also looked for popular names from that time period. I had fun looking up Dutch names, too!

Cara: Abigail is my oldest’s name, and she wanted a book of her own. I also love the meaning of the name: Fountain of Joy. Abigail has a bit of that personality, though muted by a pain she has to overcome.

What did you want the reader to take away from your story?
Sarah: That God alone can fill the empty places in our lives.

Tricia: That God can work all things out for good and our mourning can turn to joy!

Cara: That God will lead us through the pain in our past if we’ll let Him.

Are you a member of American Christian Fiction Writers? If so, why?
Sarah: Absolutely! I tell aspiring writers that ACFW is like having a mini-conference in your email inbox every day. The courses are excellent, the loop is a great way to connect, the genre loops are fantastic for research help, and the conference is top-notch!

Tricia: Yes, although I’m not as active as I wish I could be. I highly recommend ACFW to aspiring novelists. It’s an organization filled with amazing people!

Cara: Yes! I’m published because of what I learned at ACFW and the people I’ve met at the conferences. I’ve also been very active on the boards and in other positions since 2006. I love this organization and giving back!

What is the best piece of advice you received as an author?
Tricia: The best advice I’ve received is to write from the highs and lows of your own life. The emotional themes I’ve written about are similar ones that I’ve experienced. This helps pack emotion into the story.

Cara: To be disciplined. Keep writing even when you don’t feel like it. If you do, you’ll have a book in a year. And be teachable. You can always learn more!

Where can my readers find you on the Internet?
Tricia Goyer
Facebook www.facebook.com/authortriciagoyer
Twitter www.twitter.com/triciagoyer
Pinterest www.pinterest.com/triciagoyer

Cara Putman

Sarah Sundin


Thank you, ladies, for sharing this Christmas novella collection with us.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Where Treetops Glisten - Christianbook.com
Where Treetops Glisten: Three Stories of Heartwarming Courage and Christmas Romance During World War II - Amazon
Where Treetops Glisten: Three Stories of Heartwarming Courage and Christmas Romance During World War II - Kindle



Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

53 comments:

Caryl Kane said...

Lena, I enjoyed the interview with Tricia, Cara and Sarah. I can't wait to read "Where Treetops Glisten". Thank you for the chance to do so.

Caryl
TEXAS

Cara Putman said...

Thanks so much for hosting us, Lena! It's always a pleasure to be on your blog!

scottsgal said...

Love holiday stories - it's amazing to me how authors can co-write when everyone has their own individual styles.

Cheryl in IL

Anonymous said...

Wonderful interview! It is so cool to know the back story behind character's names! Thank you for the contest!

Bri Kae from Texas

Karen G. said...

I have been really interested in reading this book. It is on my wish list. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.

Karen G, NY

Susan Johnson said...

I would love to win a copy o this book. Thank you for the chance.
Susan in Texas

Deanna Stevens said...

I have wanted to read this book! thanks for offering it :)
Dee S from NEBR

Merry said...

I love the WWII Christmas theme for Where Treetops Glisten. Please add me for the giveaway. Thanks!
Merry in MN

Linda Kish said...

I would love to win a copy of this book.

California

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Tricia Goyer said...

Lena, thank you SO much for hosting us. You're the best!!

Tricia

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great read.
Ola from NC

Sarah Sundin said...

Thanks for dropping by, everyone! And thanks for having us here, Lena!

Jennifer Hibdon said...

Thus sounds like such an lovely Christmas read! I really enjoyed the interview. Thanx for the giveaway! Jennifer in Lubbock, Texas

Melanie Backus said...

I love everything about Where Treetops Glisten. Thank you for a great interview, Lena!

Melanie Backus, TX

Granny's Attic said...

I have not read a Christmas book in a very long time. Hoping to get a chance at this one. lisajcowell(at)cs(dot)com in OHio

Mary Preston said...

What a marvellous collaboration. Beautiful cover too.

Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA

karenk said...

thanks for the chance to read this beautiful novella ladies.

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
from PA

Bonnie Roof said...

Beautiful interview - thanks Cara, Sarah, Tricia and Lena!!

I know "Where Treetops Glisten" will be fabulous - it has 3 masterful authors!! I look forward to reading it!!

bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com

Kentucky

Christy C said...

Oh, This looks like such a fun Christmas read. Would love to curl up with this one. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity. Christy C in North Carolina

Charlotte Kay said...

Loved the interview!!!!
Love all three authors!!!!
Would be overjoyed if I won this book!!!

Charlotte Kay, Georgia

Sandy said...

I've been wanting to read these ladies stories for a while now, and what better way to be introduced to them. Thanks for the giveaway.

loretta said...

Love christmas books, the stories, the covers, etc Would absolutely love to read this book :)


from S.C.

sm said...

I really like reading Christmas collections and liked reading about how you collaborated on this book. I'd love to win it. sm CA wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com

Sharon Richmond Bryant said...

Enter me!!
Conway, SC.

Anonymous said...

Angela in Ky would love to win.

Emma said...

I am looking forward to reading WHERE TREETOPS GLISTEN. wonderful interview with Tricia, Cara and Sarah. Thank you for the opportunity to win.I enjoy reading books by Tricia, Cara and Sarah.PA.

Anonymous said...

Would really love to win this for my birthday on the 8th! Shelia from MS

A Cooking Bookworm said...

I would love to win a copy of this novella! I love each of these authors' WWII books and would enjoy the Christmas-y feel!

Stephanie
Binghamton, NY

mybabyblessings AT gmail DOT com

Anonymous said...

Love when 3 authors come together to write a book it makes it more interesting. Thanks for a chance to win.
Kim Amundsen

Abigail Mitchell said...

Have yet to read any by the other Authors, but I love Sarah's Books! They are Awesome!!!

Please enter me!

Blanch, NC

Chris B said...

I love all three of you (and you too Lena!). Can't wait to read your Christmas stories. Thanks for the opportunity!

Anonymous said...

Perfect time of year to read this book! Thanks Kristie AZ

Chris B said...

oops, Port St. Lucie, FL!
chris_davebures@bellsouth.net
Thanks again for the books and the chance!

Jeff and Shaun said...

Would love to win! I live in northeast North Carolina.

Mary Ellen said...

Enjoyed reading the interview !! I would love to be the winner of this book - sounds like a wonderful read. Thank you :)

Melody said...

Doesn't this book sound wonderful? Would love to read it.

Donna, TX

Linda @ Linda's Lunacy said...

I am in the Hills of Kentucky.....where it is supposed to snow this weekend!

Ellen Gray said...

I live in Indiana, not too far from Lafayette! I would love to read this book. I have read others by the authors and the sneak peak I read leaves me wanting more! Can't wait to read "Where Treetops Glisten"

Mama Cat said...

What a great interview with three awesome ladies! I would love to read this novella set; thanks to Tricia's blogs, I am very interested in stories with a WWII theme. Phoenix AZ

Unknown said...

I would love the opportunity to win this book. I enjoy reading Christmas books. Thank you for the chance.

KayLee from NY

Anonymous said...

This would be great a new book. Thank you lga2511@yahoo.com

Pam K. said...

I've enjoyed reading books by all three of these authors. I think it's terrific they collaborated on this novella. I'm looking forward to reading Where Treetops Glisten.

pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com
Kansas

Newsgirl said...

Thanks so much for such a nice interview! I am very anxious to read this book! Thanks for the opportunity!

Kendra in Illinois!

Jackie Tessnair said...

Thanks for sharing.I would love to win and read this book.Jackie Tessnair,N.C.

kam110476 said...

I have yet to read anything by Tricia but I absolutely adore the books of Cara and Sarah's that I've read! Thanks for the chance to win a copy of WTG!
Kristen in OK
kam110476 at gmail dot com

Judy said...

I am familiar with Tricia's books, (have even met her in person! such a sweetheart!), but I'm not familiar with Cara and Sarah's. I would love to win a copy of this book.

Blessings!
Judy B from Indiana

beckie said...

I am feeling the Christmas spirit coming on in Kansas!

Tammie Edington Shaw said...

What a wonderful book. I live in Illinois.

rubynreba said...

I love all of these authors! I'd love to read this book.
Beth from IA

Granny's Attic said...

I have always enjoyed series books like this, and I can't imagine how difficult it must be to coordinate enough so that the characters seem seamless. In some, you can tell that the characters were written by different people. lisajcowell(at)cs(dot)com in Ohio

Unknown said...

I love reading Christmas books. I hope my library orders this one. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy.

KayLee from NY

Vicky said...

Would love to read this.
Kent, WA

Frances Cavallo said...

I would be so blessed to win this book!!! Thanks so much for the chance!!! Good Luck and God Bless Everyone!!! I am from Deltona, Florida! !!