All of my characters have a little bit of me in them. I think writers write primarily what they know – what they’ve experienced and learned – and we can’t help writing from that unique and intimate perspective that makes us who we are.
What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
I don’t think I’m really a quirky person. But my husband reminded me of the time we visited the Upper Peninsula in Michigan and I wanted to swim in Lake Superior. Well, it wasn’t warm enough so I climbed down a steep embankment and put my foot in the ice-cold water just so I could say I was in Lake Superior. :-)
When did you first discover that you were a writer?
I knew it in third grade when I wrote my first book called Little Miss Mouse. That desire to create stories and write poems and nonfiction is still there in the heart of me.
Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I’m varied in my reading. I read my Bible (of course). It’s a precious time when God speaks to me through His word. I’m presently reading Trusting God Even When Life Hurts (NavPress) by Jerry Bridges. It’s nonfiction. I also read Christian contemporary and historical romances the last being When Love Blooms (Zondervan) by Robin Lee Hatcher. (LOVED IT!)
What other books have you written, whether published or not?
I’ve been writing and publishing in the Christian market for more than 15 years. My list of publications is lengthy but available on my website http://www.andreaboeshaar.com/
My most recent titles are: Unwilling Warrior (Realms Fiction); Be Still and Let Your Nail Polish Dry (a devotional collection from Summerside Press); Heartland Heroes (Barbour Publishing) and Love Finds You in Miracle, Kentucky (Summerside Press).
How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
It’s not easy. When I quit my part-time job last year I thought I would have more leisure time on my hands, but I’m busier than ever. I’ve got some looming writing deadlines, so I try to stay organized. But inevitably my office gets cluttered, the laundry has to be put away, the dust collects on my furniture, and the dishes pile up in the sink. And then just when I think I’ll catch up, I decide to spend the afternoon with the grandkids. So the busyness never ends.
But what I’m learning is that it doesn’t matter what life throws at me. What’s important is my reaction to it. Things get overwhelming when my focus is off the Lord and His goodness.
How do you choose your characters’ names?
A number of different ways. Sometimes I’ll hear a name in conversation, like it, and make a note of it. Other times, I’ll go searching in my character-naming book. But more often than not I will name special characters after actual people in my life. In my story Unwilling Warrior, the hero’s name is Benjamin and that’s my oldest son’s name.
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
I’d have to say I’m most proud of my three sons. They are all heroes. They’re tall, good-looking, and successful. But what I’m most proud of is that my “boys” have grown up to become hard working and kind hearted men.
If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
I love animals and have a healthy respect for them, but I can’t even imagine if I was one. I just never had the desire to be anything but a person – a princess, actually. Or a queen…yeah, that’s it. A queen!
What is your favorite food?
I go in spurts. This month it’s Oreo cookies.
Sounds good to me. We should open a package. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
What advice would you give to an author just starting out?
1) Don’t give up. Writing is a lonely business and trying to get published can be discouraging – and even heartbreaking. Keep at it. Keep abreast of what’s currently being published, particularly books in your genre or field of interest. Attend writers’ conferences. Hone your craft. Most importantly persevere.
2) Don’t rely heavily on a few people’s opinions. I know authors who have been devastated by critique groups or a literary agent’s or editor’s rejection letter. Remember writing is subjective. Some people don’t like mysteries and others do. Some don’t enjoy romances, but many more people love them. If your story is well-crafted and well-written and if you pray and persevere, you will find just the right home for your work.
3) Finally, there are a lot of desperate authors out there who will do almost anything to see their book (and name too) in print. Don’t be one of them.
Tell us about the featured book?
Unwilling Warrior is a historical romance. The War Between the States has Valerie Fontaine frightened about her future. She never suspects she’ll be thrust into the middle of it.
Benjamin McCabe’s got a noble dream of photographing the Civil War – and he never expected to fall in love with a New Orleans socialite.
When Valerie’s father is arrested on charges of treason, Ben secures a way for her to leave the city and travel to his family’s home in Jericho Junction, Missouri, where she’ll be safe.
Can Valerie adjust to life on the prairie and remain true to her promise to wait for Ben no matter what the cost?
You’ll have to read the book and find out. :-)
I intend to. Please give us the first page of the book.
Raindrops splattered against the garden’s cobblestone walkway, forming puddles in low-lying areas.
Above, the heavens seemed to mourn in tearful shades of gray. Staring out the floor-to-ceiling window, Valerie Fontaine realized she’d forgotten the dreariness of the season. She’d been back in New Orleans only a week, arriving Christmas Eve, but now she questioned her decision to leave Miss C. J. Hollingsworth’s Finishing School for Young Ladies, a year-round boarding school in Virginia where she’d studied for the last sixteen months. She let out a long, slow sigh. Life here at home was—well, worse than the weather.
Closing the shutters, she stepped away and hugged her knitted shawl more tightly around her shoulders. She strolled from the solarium to the parlor, steeling herself against her father’s continuing tirade. But at least they were talking now. He hadn’t said more than six words to her since she’d been home.
“You should have stayed at school.” She had thought Father would be glad to see her, given that it was their first Christmas without Mama.
But such wasn’t the case. Instead of spending the holiday with her, he’d been at his gentlemen’s club almost continuously. His actions hurt Valerie deeply. Nevertheless, he was the only family she had left now.
How can readers find you on the Internet?
On my website at: http://www.andreaboeshaar.com/
Thank you, Andrea, for coming by my blog.
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