Dear Readers, Jan is
new to our blog. Let’s give her a warm welcome.
Welcome, Jan. Tell us
how much of yourself you write into your characters.
I know quite a bit of myself bleeds into my characters, but
a huge part of my characters comes from observing people and listening to their
stories. I hear a story about someone’s experience, and I start thinking – what
will happen next?
A true author for
sure. What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
Probably when I traveled in Europe
by myself for two months – back when it was only slightly dangerous for a woman
to travel alone. Yes, I’m that old. ;)
When did you first
discover that you were a writer?
Probably when I was ten or twelve – but then I thought
everyone was a writer. All of my favorite people were: Laura Ingalls Wilder,
Beverly Cleary, Marguerite Henry. It wasn’t until I was much older that I
realized that not everyone has a double life – their story lives and their real
life. After my children graduated from our homeschool, I was able to take the
time to put my stories on paper, and that’s when I realized I didn’t just want
to be a writer, I really was one.
Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I read everything from history to classical literature, to popular
fiction (most genres), non-fiction, and my favorite – children’s literature. I
try to read widely as well as deeply, and often have at least five books going
at the same time.
I keep two going, one
on my Kindle that I carry in my purse and one print book at home. How do you
keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
By abiding in Christ. My day starts with a time of devotions
and Bible reading, and that helps keep me centered and my perspective in the
right place.
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
I write historical novels, so I look to literature or
biographies of the time I’m writing. For my Amish stories, I go to my
genealogy. Many of my characters are named after my ancestors. In A Mother for His Children, my August
2014 release from Love Inspired Historical, I stayed closer to home. The girls
in the family (except Nellie) are named after my aunts.
What is the
accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Making – and sticking to – the decision to homeschool our
children. That one thing has affected our family for the good more than
anything else we could have done.
If you were an
animal, which one would you be, and why?
I’m not sure. But my dogs seem to have a pretty easy life!
What is your favorite
food?
Chocolate. I don’t even have to think about that one!
A girl after my own
heart. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and
how did you overcome it?
Getting the first draft of a book on the computer is always
the hardest part for me. Some days I think I’d rather clean the toilet than
face that first draft! But I know that I can’t fix anything that isn’t written,
so I set a minimum daily word count for myself and stick to the plan.
Tell us about the
featured book.
A Home for His Family is my first western. It takes place in
Deadwood, which is only about an hour’s drive from where I live. Deadwood has a
fascinating history and I loved researching the story. Here’s the information
from the back cover:
Nate Colby came to the
Sarah can't deny she cares for the children, but she can't let herself fall for Nate. Her childhood as an orphan taught her that opening her heart to love only ends in hurt. Yet helping this ready-made family set up their ranch only makes her long to be a part of it—whatever the risk.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Deadwood, Dakota Territory
May 1877
May 1877
“Sorry for the delay, folks. There’s a bull train on the
trail ahead of us, and they’re hogging the road. It won’t be long until we’re
moving again.” The stagecoach guard acknowledged Sarah MacFarland and Aunt
Margaret, the only ladies in the cramped stage, with a tip of his hat. Water
sluiced off the brim onto the feet of the male passengers. “The good news is
that we’re only a few miles from Deadwood, and the rain is easing up a bit.”
“Thank you.” Sarah answered him with a nod, but kept her
face classroom-firm. She had already learned women were few in this western
country, and men were eager to take even a polite smile as permission to
overstep the boundaries of propriety. Aunt Margaret had the notion Sarah might
find a husband out here in the west, but Sarah had no such dreams. Twenty-eight
years old put her firmly in the spinster category and she was more than happy
to remain there.
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
My website is: www.JanDrexler.com
I’m also on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JanDrexlerAuthor
And I have fun on Pinterest, too: www.pinterest.com/jandrexler/
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
A Home for His Family - Christianbook.com
A Home for His Family (Love Inspired Historical)
- AmazonA Home for His Family (Love Inspired Historical) - Kindle
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