What are some of the
spiritual themes you like to write about?
Slavery, oppression, setting boundaries—physical and
emotional, standing up for what we believe, the all encompassing love of God,
the redemption and forgiveness Christ offers, and the ultimate freedom we find
in Christ.
William Henry is a Fine Name
is about realizing we’re not victims, that we’re free to choose what we believe
and how we act on those beliefs. It uses the Underground Railroad to tell that
story.
I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires
is about surrendering our agendas, our control, our very life and heart to the
Lord, and inviting Him to lead us, then stepping up in obedience—and
understanding that that process of surrender to God is not defeat, but true
victory. It uses the Civil War to tell that story.
Promise Me This is a picture
of Christ’s love story to the world, and our response to His amazing, unmerited
gift of sacrificial love and grace. It uses the Titanic through WWI to tell
that story.
Band of
Sisters is about fighting human trafficking—the abolition of
modern day slavery—and what we can do to help in a need so desperate. It uses Ellis Island (1910-1911), the plight of immigrants, and
the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire to tell that story.
What other books of
yours are coming out soon?
Band of
Sisters will release from Tyndale
House Publishers in September. I’m working with my agent on a proposal for a
new book now.
If you could spend an
evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would
it be and why?
I’d love to meet and get to know Christine Caine, of A-21
Campaign—which stands for Abolishing Injustice in the 21st Century. Christine
is a highly motivational speaker, on fire for the Lord and for using our
God-given potential to be and do all He’s called us to. Specifically, she’s
about fighting modern-day slavery and rescuing, restoring, and rebuilding the
lives of young women—one person at a time. She travels the world raising
awareness for the need for abolition, and bringing countless others into the
fight to stop human trafficking. A-21 Campaign began its program in Greece because she sees that as the trafficking
hub of Europe, and from Europe to the world. But
as the word spreads, so does the rescuing of women.
There are so many questions I’d like to ask her.
Christine has been a
speaker at my church’s Women’s conference for several years. We love her, and
we connect with her on the A-21 Campaign. What historical person would you like
to meet (besides Jesus) and why?
William Wilberforce—Despite ill health, despite the
hostility of those who opposed him, and against the all-powerful powers that
be, William Wilberforce fought Parliament for over twenty-six years to abolish
slavery in the British Empire .
He wrote in his journal, “God Almighty has set before me two
great objects, the suppression of the Slave Trade and the Reformation of
Manners (moral values).”
His was the voice of a prophet crying in a wilderness
society of greed and self-indulgence, and his words are as applicable to us as
they were when he wrote them in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Wilberforce
demonstrated what one voice can do—one life surrendered to God, and inflamed by
the Holy Spirit—in the face of injustice.
How can you encourage
authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?
My husband has a saying that begins our every road trip,
“When we’re lost, enjoy the scenery.”
It used to drive my let’s-just-drive-from-Point-A-to-Point-B
nature crazy (in road trips and writing), but in writing I’ve come to see that
I can either embrace the journey that is (rejection and all), or make myself
miserable by wishing it was a different journey with a different navigator in
the driver’s seat.
Rather than think of the journey as long, I encourage
writers to think of it as just what it is—a journey in which we’ve invited God
to be the driver and navigator. By making the most of the up-and-down,
twist-and-turn opportunities along the way—including flat tire rejections, we
have much needed time to learn the craft, improve our skills, build relationships,
build platform, and very importantly—to find our writing voice and niche.
This is so important—In every circumstance we can ask God
what we can learn from this experience. He wastes nothing—look at Christ’s
redemptive act of grace—one life for an entire human race! Knowing how He loves
us, knowing how He rejoices in our praise of Him—in words from our mouths and
pens—we can also know that He is training us, preparing us for the very best
road ahead.
Every journey has a route and a destination. It might not be
the one we’ve mapped out. But if we faithfully persevere in learning and
practicing the craft, and embrace what we find along the way, we’re sure to
have an adventure uniquely designed for the unique writers we are.
I’ve often said that
the writing life is all about the journey, not publication. Tell us about the featured
book.
Driven by a shameful past and perilous future,
Maureen O'Reilly and her sister flee Ireland Ellis
Island , Maureen learns that their benefactor has died, and his
family—refusing to own his Civil War debt—casts her out. Alone, impoverished,
and in danger of deportation, Maureen connives to find employment in a
prominent Manhattan department store, only to discover the elegant facade
hides a dangerous secret.
Despite her family's disapproval, Olivia Wakefield
determines to honor her father's debt but can't find Maureen. Unexpected help
comes from a local businessman, who Olivia dares hope will become more than an
ally, even as she fears the secrets he's hiding.
As women begin disappearing from the store, Olivia
rallies influential ladies in her circle to help Maureen stand against
injustice and fight for the lives of their growing band of sisters. But will
they be too late, and in the midst of a world gone mad can either woman
open her heart to divine leading or the love it might bring?
Please give us the
first page of the book.
October 1910
Widowed
crones, their ragged skirts and shawls flapping in the rising gale like so many
black crows, threw back grayed heads and keened a wild lament. Though slow of
gait, they kept a dozen steps ahead of Maureen O’Reilly, the eldest daughter of
their dead neighbor. Not one dared walk beside the “Scarlet Maureen,” no matter
that they’d been handsomely paid for their services from the young woman’s
purse.
Maureen
didn’t care so much for herself. She expected nothing more or less from the
village gossips. But she did care for the heart of her younger sister.
She
pulled Katie Rose, the lily flower of her family, close. Together the sisters
trudged up the rocky hill, part of a bleak and broken parade, toward the
stone-walled churchyard. Twice they slipped, cutting their palms, the path
muddy from the morning’s rain. Once past the churchyard gate, Maureen pushed to
the front of the troop, lifted her chin, and set her lips tight as the prow of
a ship, daring the women to snub her sister.
The
Keeton brothers had dug the grave that morning, and Joshua Keeton, the second
eldest, nodded respectfully toward Maureen—an act so out of village character
that Maureen turned away without acknowledgment. The priest intoned his series
of Latin prayers into the wind, finishing with the “Our Father.”
The
Keeton brothers lowered the wooden coffin into its bed.
The
priest sprinkled its top with holy water and resumed in his monotone, “Grant
this mercy, O Lord, we beseech Thee, to Thy servant departed, that Margaret
Rowhan O’Reilly may not receive in punishment
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
Facebook: CathyGohlkeBooks
Facebook: Transformational Fiction Fans
Amazon Author CentralThank you, Cathy, for your insightful interview.
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Band of Sisters
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