SEASON OF HOPE - Carol James - One Free Book

 Welcome, Carol. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

I think it’s impossible for a writer to create characters that are not in some way influenced by the author’s experiences and personality. Those two things provide the lens through which a writer views the world. I lived in Texas. My books are set in Texas. I’ve traveled to Ecuador and Germany. My characters have done the same thing. I’ve been on multiple mission trips. So have they. However, there’s not as much of me in my characters as you might think. Often they have personality characteristics and display traits I wish I had.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

Quirky, you say? Well, this has got to be near the top of the list. Here’s a little backstory.

My husband and I have some very good couple-friends we travel with. Our goal is to visit all fifty states together. (We have four left.)

When we plan our trips, we always try to do something thematic to get us in the spirit. We sang along with the score from Oklahoma as we drove across that state. We watched The House of Seven Gables movie when we visited that site. And then sometimes, we tour unusual places like the Spam Museum in Minnesota or Carhenge in Nebraska. (Yes, a replica of Stonehenge made from cars.)

On one of our recent trips, we went to Fargo, North Dakota. I had never seen the movie, Fargo, so the other three decided I needed to watch it before we went. I did… And little did I know that when we got to Fargo, the visitor center would have on display the very same chipper used in the movie. Of course, I had to reenact part of the movie.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

Writing came late in my life. My journey was birthed out of adversity. It’s a long, but amazing, story.     

I majored in English in college. Unlike most English majors, I loved grammar and never aspired to write. I wanted to teach, and I felt English would allow me to really get to know the hearts of my students.

I was teaching part-time at a Christian school. I loved my work and considered it my personal ministry. Then my husband suffered a health issue and lost his job. With two daughters in college, I needed to find full-time work. So I had to leave not only my job, but my personal ministry. Yet God promised me He was doing a new work in my life. I just needed to trust. I clung to Isaiah 43:18-19. I searched for the new work He was doing in my life.

One of my students’ parents offered me a position at a business he owned, and I accepted it. I quickly gained the much-deserved title of “Grammar Police.” Mine were often the last set of eyes that scanned the company’s promotional and training materials.

One day, my boss came into my office and closed the door. “I do a little writing,” she whispered, “and I wonder if you would proofread some pieces for me."

That moment changed my life. A voice deep in my heart said, “You are in this place for this purpose. Writing is your new ministry."

My boss became my mentor, my critic, my encourager. And once I began, I knew this was what God had called me to do.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I particularly enjoy reading fiction and biographies. I love happy endings. (Surprise, surprise.) For years, I enjoyed what I refer to as “guy” literature - Tom Clancy, John Grisham. Pat Conroy, Ferrol Sams, Robert Ludlum, Nelson DeMille, etc. And then my daughter introduced me to Christian fiction. Karen Kingsbury and Lori Wick changed my reading world. I love reading books where the main characters express their relationship with God, where God is active.

You might like my books then. How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

Our city park has a beautiful walking trail. My husband and I meet a small group each morning. He walks on with the others, while I linger behind with our dog, Zoe. She likes to investigate and meander at her own pace. And those times when she slows down to enjoy the smallest bits of creation, slow me down, too. Most of the time, I play music from a local Christian station in my earbuds. I meditate on the beauty of creation, the variety of the bird calls, the delicate bouquets of wildflowers. And God speaks to me. I often discover the next portion of the plot to my current work in progress. Or get an idea for my next novel. Connecting with God through nature brings me peace.

I love that. How do you choose your characters’ names?

Choosing character names can be a challenge. When I first began writing, I felt God was leading me to write three novels in which the heroines were named Faith, Hope, and Charity. So here we have Hope in Season of Hope. Faith is featured in Rescuing Faith. And Charity is still in manuscript form. Other female names can depend upon the seasonal setting (Holly and Mary for Christmas novellas). And then sometimes I hear an unusual name and know it will be perfect for a certain character, as Ethne in my upcoming novel, No Longer a Captive.

The names of most of my heroes are Biblical names, because they are timeless. Joshua is the hero’s name in Season of Hope. Even though Josh is flawed, he exhibits the grace of Jesus.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

I don’t really know if this is an accomplishment, or how much, if any, credit I can take, but I am so proud of my two daughters and the relationship we have. They are beautiful and gracious Christian women. I love watching them love their husbands and raise and love their children. For most of their lives, my husband travelled for his work, and because he was gone much of the time, we made deliberate decisions and sacrifices as they grew up. I was a stay-at-home mom and began working part-time only after they started school. We often didn’t have the material possessions our friends and neighbors did. The vacations we took were either to see family or tagged on to one of my husband’s business meetings (because the hotel would be paid for). But to us, time spent with them was worth more than any amount of money we might have gained by my working full-time. We wanted to invest ourselves in their lives and hearts. Not to say a single parent who works full-time can’t do this, too. They can. But it has to be much more difficult.

My husband and I made the same choices. If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

Of course, I want to say dog. But I’m much more introverted than most dogs. I’m slow to form relationships. I really have to get to know you and trust you. And I’m happy having only a very few close friends than a wide circle of casual acquaintances. So I’m probably going to surprise you and say the dog’s cousin, the wolf. Some people would call them mysterious. Although they are pack animals, they’re generally monogamous and value close relationships.

What is your favorite food?

I like simple foods. My very favorite treat is Chocolate Raspberry Truffle ice cream from our local ice cream stand. Amazing!

Sounds yummy. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

When I began writing, finding a critique group was impossible. The ones I knew of were not welcoming to an inexperienced writer. My boss was a help, but she didn’t write in the inspirational genre. So I attended associational meetings and workshops to learn the craft. I discovered entering my work in contests was a way to receive unbiased, instructive critiques. At first, I didn’t always agree with the judges’ comments. It was like someone saying I had an ugly baby (LOL). But I quickly learned to take a deep breath and step away. A few minutes later, I’d realize they were right. I’m now a member of several critique groups, and I am happy to help new writers in any way I can.

Tell us about the featured book.

Season of Hope is the story of two broken hearts, two painful pasts, and one redeeming hope. The first manuscript I wrote, it was born out of the strife and rebellion of the late sixties and early seventies (my college years). Hope is a single mother trapped in the winter of her life. But then a new pastor, Josh, comes to town, and she wonders if she can share the secrets that have been buried in her heart all these years.

Please give us the first page of the book.

He crossed off the last entry on the list. When he’d vowed to do this, he’d had no idea it would be so difficult. He’d called every entry in the phone book and every additional number he’d gotten from Information with no success.

He didn’t have enough money to hire a private investigator, and even if he had the funds, he may not have enough information for the detective to be successful.

As the evening sun shone through the gap between his bedroom curtains, the gold chain and pendant sparkled as if mocking his efforts. Opening the small Bible, he placed the necklace back between its pages and slowly folded the covers closed.

He was tired. Tired of war, tired of loss, tired of failure.

Father, it’s in Your hands now. I’ve done all I know to do.

I’m intrigued. How can readers find you on the Internet?

www.carol-james.com

Facebook.com/CarolJamesAuthor

https://www.instagram.com/caroljamesauthor

https://twitter.com/CarolJamesAuth

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19149238.Carol_James

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/carol-james

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3duHqKc

Thank you, Carol, for sharing this book with us. I’m eager to read it.

Readers, here are links to the book.

https://amzn.to/2CuTEWQ - Paperback

https://amzn.to/2Y13nM5 - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (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, 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