Welcome back, Jillian. God has really been
moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?
First off, thanks for having me back, Lena .
I don’t know how you keep up with everything you do. God has been so awesome
and faithful to me in my writing life and personal life. Wow! I wish I knew what was on the horizon
with all the changes in publishing. I can tell you what I’m doing and thinking
about but it’s going to be an interesting year no matter what happens. For all
of us who write and read.
I’ve developed some story ideas I’m going to submit to my
agent and pray something good comes of that even though many are saying to go
it on your own. I’m really interested in learning how to make my own e-book so
plan on educating myself. None of us can take for granted that we can always
publish the traditional way. At least that’s what it’s sounding like out there
in the publishing world. A lot of folks are going to have a lot of thoughts on
this subject I’m sure. And I want to dabble in short story writing and possible
a novella.
Tell us a little
about your family.
I’ve been married to my hubby Randy Nutter for thirty-one
years. This August will be thirty-two! Hard to believe. We are both full-time
social workers. I counsel nursing students in a hospital based college and he
helps oncology patients and their families. We both love what we do. My mom who
lives with us will turn eighty-eight this month and I have a birthday on the
eleventh. My daughter Katie lives with us, she’s 23 and searching for her
future and now addicted to inspirational fiction although neither of my girls
has read my books. Go figure. My daughter Meghan is a missionary for Youth With
A Mission and currently leading her own team at the age of twenty. She held off
on college because she felt led to do this work. I have a feeling she will be
the next social worker in the family.
Has your writing
changed your reading habits? If so, how?
Yes. I love to read, but with all the demands on my life I
don’t read nearly as much as I used to read. When I do it’s usually
mystery/suspense.
What are you working
on right now?
I’m working up an idea for a new regency novel.
What outside interests
do you have?
I love learning. I’ve set a goal this year to learn how to
utilize Scrivener and make an e-book. I enjoy prayer walking.
How do you choose
your settings for each book?
I’m an Anglophile. I love writing during England ’s regency era and may soon
explore the Victorian era as well. Maybe.
If you could spend an
evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?
The famous architect John Nash would be one. He was
responsible for much of the layout and design of Regency London. I bet he knew
a lot that he never shared with others being so close the heart of London . Hmm. Now that
might play a part in one of my future novels.
What is the one thing
you wish you had known before you started writing novels?
Not to write one book to death. Write one and move on.
What new lessons is
the Lord teaching you right now?
That I don’t have to be good at everything as much as I want
to be.
What are the three
best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?
It all depends on the definition of success. But if you want
to write and publish I
would say:
1) Study the craft. And by that I mean really study it and
to do that you have to know where to start. Buy a book like James
Scott Bell’s, Plot and Structure.
2) Practice, practice, practice. Just practice opening story
ideas. Make them unusual.
3) Attend a conference and network.
Tell us about the
featured book.
I love this book. Of course I like all my books but
I think because this is the last in the series I have a special appreciation
for it. I call it my Indiana Jones novel. It’s based in part on the legend of
the Holy Lance, the lance that the Roman soldier used to pierce the side of
Christ to be certain he was dead. The Bible doesn’t go into detail about this
but it’s been very interesting to research and see why there is so much
interest and speculation about this lance. Today, to the best of my knowledge
based on extensive research, Austria ,
The Vatican, and Armenia Antarctica .
The novel centers around the youngest of Lord
Ravensmoore sisters, Mercy who wants to be a doctor like her big brother, but
in the time of the regency that is an impossibility, or is it? J She meets Vincent St. Lyons shore
of Northumberland
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Chapter 1
Appearances are often deceiving.
—Aesop
Mercy Grayson gulped for air as another cold wave battered her,
pulled her under, and scraped
her along the coast floor. She propelled her
way to the surface, kicking and climbing through the water. God, help me get to shore. I have nothing left.
Sand scraped through her fingers, and then she
tumbled with another wave away from it. Again and again she stroked through the
water, hoping to reach solid ground. She gasped for air, silently prayed for
courage, and choked as her mouth and throat filled with saltwater. The
brightness of the sun inspired hope, and she pushed on, unwilling to let the
sea win.
Sand from the coast floor squished between her
toes. Her knees buckled when she tried to stand, and she splashed face first back
into the water. Finally she gained a wobbly stance and forced herself to put
one foot in front of the other. She’d made it. Looking heavenward, she simply
whispered, “Thank You.” Once onto the beach she fell to her knees. Tears stung
her eyes as she vomited seawater. Coughing and sputtering, she dragged herself
farther onto the sand.
Weary to the bone, she didn’t care if anyone
found her wearing trousers instead of a gown. She closed her eyes and vomited again.
Vaguely it occurred to her that the trousers, her physician’s attire, had saved
her life, along with the prayers God had seen fit to answer. Lying limp, she
had only enough energy to kiss the wet sand in gratitude before falling into an
exhausted sleep.
An annoying brush of twigs drummed against her
check.
How can readers find you on the Internet?
Twitter @JillKentAuthor
And I’m very proud to coordinate and write The Well Writer
Column for Christian Fiction Online Magazine. http://www.christianfictiononlinemagazine.com/
Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Mystery of the Heart (The Ravensmoore Chronicles)
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