Welcome, Jane. How did your story for the collection come about?
While working on a history book about a Christian community
of the 19th century (to accompany a three book novel series) I read a copy of a
quilt historian journal. It told the
story of a signature quilt with all the blocks done by different women for a
single man. That gave me the idea for The
Courting Quilt.
What are you reading right now?
I'm reading Sandra Byrd's To Die For, set in 16th century.
I'm also reading a biography of Dorthea Dix.
What other books have you had published?
I'm the author eighteen novels (my first contemporary comes
out next month!) and three non-fiction titles. This is my first venture into
the novella realm and I'll be joining three other others next year for the Midwife's
Legacy, also with Barbour.
What is the hardest thing about writing a part of a novella
collection?
For me it was writing within that 20,000 word limit since a
couple of my novels are tomes of 130,000 words -- back when those big books
were acceptable. Because we could each write in the setting we wished with the
thread between us being the log cabin, we were pretty independent. With the Midwife
novella collection, we needed to tie the pieces together more and that was fun
and challenging too.
How did collaborating with this team impact you?
I'd never written what I would call a sweet romance before
so discovering how others have done that was a good impact. I read the other
authors works (not their contributions to this piece) so I could get a feel for
their voice. It was very enriching.
How do you choose your characters’ names?
They just came to me! Mary Bishop and Richard Taylor are the
primaries.
What did you want the reader to take away from your
story?
That our initial reactions to people and events are not
always the best judge. And I hope it's a
light story that helps people see that even in the worst of times, there can be
a silver lining stitched by the hand of God.
Are you a member of American Christian Fiction Writers?
If so, why? Yes.
Mostly to keep up with the business of writing, the marketplace, be exposed to
writers at various stages of their career and to help cheer people on (and
maybe have a little cheer myself!)
What is the best piece of advice you received as an author?
Write the best story you can and always have a
"story" about the story because people often remember you as the
storyteller as much as they will your story.
Where can my readers find you on the Internet?
My website is http://www.jkbooks.com
where you can visit my blog www.janeswordsofencouragement.blogspot.com
or my dog's blog www.bodaciousbothedog.blogspot.com
who has more followers than I do I
think! I'm also on facebook https://www.facebook.com/theauthorjanekirkpatrick
Now we'll talk with Liz Tolsma. Welcome, Liz. How did your story for the collection come about?
I actually did the research for the story years ago when we
were on vacation. As we were in the logging museum, the story came to me. I
wrote the first three chapters and it sat in my desk until the call came for a
Christmas novella centered around a log cabin. God’s timing is perfect.
What are you reading right now?
Right now I’m reading several different books by different
publishers as I prepare to pitch two projects at the ACFW conference in
September. I’m looking forward to reading Sarah Sundin’s WWII novel Blue Skies Tomorrow.
What other books have you had published?
I have two short stories, "A Mother’s Love" and "As
American As They Come" in the collection Cup
of Comfort for Adoptive Families.
What is the hardest thing about writing a part of a novella
collection?
The word count limit. I struggled so hard with this, but it
helped make the story tighter and better in the end.
How did collaborating with this team impact you?
I’m so privileged to be part of a book with these wonderful
authors and humbled that I was chosen to participate with them.
How do you choose your characters’ names?
My neighbor named her daughter Adelaide
What did you want the reader to take away from your story?
I want them to come away with the peace and comfort that God
is covering us under his wings. There we can take refuge from all the world’s
storms.
Are you a member of American Christian Fiction Writers? If
so, why?
Yes, I’m a member and have been for many years. My mentor
Andrea Boeshaar encouraged me to join when it was still American Christian
Romance Writers. I’ve never regretted it. This book wouldn’t have been possible
if I weren’t a member.
What is the best piece of advice you received as an author?
Never give up. It took seven years from the time I wrote the
first words of this book until it was published. You never know when or where
your story will fit.
Where can my readers find you on the Internet?
They can find me at www.liztolsma.com
and I’d love to have them join me at www.liztolsma.blogspot.com. I’m
also on Facebook and on Twitter.
Michelle Ule has joined us. Welcome, Michelle. How did
your story for the collection come about?
My
agent, Janet Grant of Books & Such, heard about the collection and
suggested I come up with a story
idea. I have a log cabin story from my family history that fit the bill and I
wrote two chapters and a synopsis the day I got the invitation. It was a
joy to fashion a story about people in my past whom I admired.
What are
you reading right now?
The
Paris Wife by Paula McClain (I wrote my senior thesis at UCLA on
Ernest Hemingway)
What
other books have you had published?
None! This
is the first one. For an interesting perspective on my reaction to seeing my
name on a book, see my blog here:
What is
the hardest thing about writing a part of a novella collection?
Knowing
the stories written by my co-writers. That was not a problem with this
collection, but on two others I've "auditioned" for, it was
complicated meshing our story lines together.
How did
collaborating with this team impact you?
It's
been fun to share the joy and the honor of publishing with such fine writers.
How do
you choose your characters’ names?
Most
came from my family history, the others were chosen based on popular names in
1836 Texas
What did
you want the reader to take away from your story?
It's
important to "do the right thing," particularly to forgive, when
loved ones are involved.
Are you
a member of American Christian Fiction Writers? If so, why?
Yes.
I've been a member four or five years; for the networking opportunities, to
enter the Genesis contest (finalist last year) and to keep track of events in
the changing world of Christian fiction.
What is
the best piece of advice you received as an author?
Write
out of your heart and emotions.
Where
can my readers find you on the Internet?
http:michelleule.wordpress.com 
My fabulous agent Tamela Hancock Murray contacted me,
telling me that Barbour was looking for log cabin novellas. Since I actually
lived in an old homestead, stayed in many historical log cabins, and had access
to several log cabins and their history, I thought it would be fun. Toss in my
Germans from Russia
What are you reading right now?
A Prairie Christmas
Collection
What other books have you had published?
Besides my novella in A Log Cabin Christmas, The Bride Wore Coveralls, Déjà vu Bride, Dixie Hearts, The Unexpected Bride, The Unlikely Wife,
and Christmas Belles of Georgia.
What is the hardest thing about writing a part of a novella
collection?
None of these were hard at all. However, if I had to say
something, maybe it was keeping the details straight. In Christmas Belles of
Georgia, the heroines are identical quads, so we had to make sure we had
the same height, eye color, and the letter from the lawyer had to say the same
thing and have the same dates. But, Jeanie Smith Cash, whose idea this was,
made it easy by supplying all of us with that information. Thank you, Jeanie!
How did collaborating with this team impact you?
We didn’t really collaborate on A Log Cabin Christmas
because they were all individual stories.
How do you choose your characters’ names?
By looking online. I looked around until their names clicked
with me.
What did you want the reader to take away from your story?
That we need to trust God no matter how dire our
circumstances look. Sometimes the biggest blessings come from our biggest
trials.
Are you a member of American Christian Fiction Writers?
If so, why? Yes. Because it’s a wonderful group of Christian
writers, and I’ve made some fabulous friends because of it. Plus, I sold my
first book at an ACRW conference. (That’s what the ACFWwas called back then.
Those initials stand for… American Christian Romance Writers)
What is the best piece of advice you received as an author?
If you find someone who understands your voice and your
style, who doesn’t try to change them, hang on to them, they are worth their
weight in gold.
Where can my readers find you on the Internet?
On my website at www.debraullrick.com
or Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, and Shoutlife.
The last author joining us is Erica Vetsch. Glad to have you, Erica. How did your story for the
collection come about?
The first story I pitched for
this collection didn’t make the cut because it was too similar to the story
Margaret Brownley had pitched. Thankfully, Becky Germany asked me to submit
another story idea, and this novella popped into my head. I’m so glad it did,
as I really love the characters and storyline for Christmas Service.
What are you reading right
now?
I’m reading Anne Mateer’s
debut novel Wings of a Dream. It’s
excellent!
What other books have you had
published?
I’ve had eight Heartsongs, a
3-in-1 collection of Heartsongs called Idaho
Brides, this Christmas novella, as well as my debut trade-length novel also
releasing this month titled A Bride’s
Portrait of Dodge City, Kansas.
What is the hardest thing
about writing a part of a novella collection?
The tight word count. I always
have to watch my story lengths.
How did collaborating with
this team impact you?
I’m really honored to be a
part of this group of novelists. Such stellar writers. I’ve really enjoyed
reading everyone’s stories. There’s really a great mix of settings,
ethnicities, and writing styles. Though we worked autonomously on our stories,
it was really great knowing I was going to be part of such a wonderful group of
writers.
How do you choose your
characters’ names?
My heroine is named after my pastor’s
daughter, Elizabeth Sorensen, and my hero, Todd Rambek, is named after a family
I met a few years ago from Norway Rochester
What did you want the reader
to take away from your story?
A fun read that puts them in
the mood for Christmas, and that they will be reminded what true service in the
Church is all about.
Are you a member of American
Christian Fiction Writers? If so, why?
Yes, ma’am, I am a member,
because of all the benefits I receive and the wonderful fellowship. I’ve made
so many friends in the writing business through ACFW.
What is the best piece of
advice you received as an author?
I’ve received a lot of very
good advice. For today, since I’m working on this particular thing in the story
I’m writing now, I’ll say no conflict, no story. You have to have conflict, or
your story is boring.
Where can my readers find you
on the Internet?
On my blog at www.onthewritepath.blogspot.com/
On twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/EricaVetsch
On
Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Erica-Vetsch/168952446490736
Thank you, Jane, Liz, Michelle, Debra, and Erica for the fun interview.
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A Log Cabin Christmas: 9 Historical Romances during American Pioneer Christmases
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