Author Valerie Hansen - WILDERNESS COURTSHIP - Free Book

I've really been looking forward to having Valerie back to feature this book.

Welcome back, Valerie. Now tell us, why do you write the kind of books you do?

My faith is crucial to my life and therefore putting it to use in my writing is second nature. As for the romantic element, I always liked happy endings, even as a child, and was grown before I found out that everyone doesn’t dream up a better ending for sad books and movies.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

That’s a tough question. I need at least 3 to cover it all. When I married my high school sweetheart and when each of my 2 children was born.

How has being published changed your life?

I sincerely hope being published has NOT changed my life. One of the nicest things a bookseller ever said to me was that even after publication I was still just the same as before. She couldn’t have said anything that delighted me more. As for lifestyle changes, since I started selling historical novels I have treated myself to more research books – without guilt!

Yes, I could spend a fortune on historical reference books. What are you reading right now?

As I think I said before, I seldom read in my own genre when I’m writing. I don’t want to accidentally pick up anyone else’s ideas so I stick to history research and short mystery stories, plus the daily newspaper. Have to have my crossword puzzles.

What is your current work in progress?

By the time you read this, I will be deep into my next historical, set mostly in the San Francisco of the 1850s. It involves recently orphaned children and their older sister, Sara Beth, who must not only survive an unseen nemesis who killed their parents but also clear their father’s name. Sara Beth teams up with doctor Taylor Howard at the Ladies’ Protection and Relief Society Orphanage and together they face her demons.

Sounds wonderful. What would be your dream vacation?

My husband loves to travel so we’ve seen most of the Unites States, including Alaska. I think I’d still like to see Norway, the country of my father’s birth.

One set of my grandparents came from Norway. One from Sweden. Maybe someday I'll get to go to that part of Europe. How do you choose your settings for each book?

After the first one, FRONTIER COURTSHIP, one has sort of led to another. They’re not a series but the era and area are similar. I feel as if I’m so attuned to this time period it’s the natural way to go. And, having lived and/or spent lots of time in the parts of the country that I write about, I’m able to put myself into the scenes fairly easily.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

I know I’d like to meet Billy Graham. When I started to try to come up with someone else, I drew a blank so I guess this is it. Even at his advanced age, I’m sure he’d be a blessing.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I love to fish and hike in the woods behind our farmhouse. I’m also a pretty fair artist but since I’ve started writing I haven’t done much of that. And I absolutely love gardening in the warmer months. I really miss the sunshine in the winter and getting my hands dirty is good for my thought processes if I get worn out writing.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

My most difficult obstacle is ME. When I’m between books I’m a total basket-case. I need to work. I love to work.. I’m so obsessive sometimes that my husband has to remind me to take breaks. He’s right, of course. I just hate to stop when the words are coming so fast and my ideas are fully formed. Those are my favorite times.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Read. Lots. And then write, even if you’re not sure what you’re doing. If you’re a true story teller, the other skills can be learned.

That is so true. I'm a natural-born storyteller, but I've had to learn a lot of skills to make my stories publishable.

Valerie, tell us about the featured book.

WILDERNESS COURTSHIP is set in the 1850s. It begins in San Francisco with Charity Beal, the ditzy sister from FRONTIER COURTSHIP. Charity has matured and is helping her father by working at a hotel where they are lodging. When handsome hotel guest, Thorne Blackwell, is forced to hire her to look after his nephew, her adventures begin and eventually take her all the way north to the Oregon territory. After the Whitman massacre, the local Indians have not caused much trouble but times are changing for both the Nisqually tribe and the settlers. As Charity travels with Thorne, the child and the child’s mentally unbalanced mother, she falls in love with both the little boy and his stern but loving uncle. All she has to do is survive long enough to find her own happiness in the midst of turmoil and danger.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

This is easy. www.ValerieHansen.com

And thanks for giving me this forum!
Val

And thank you, Valerie, for spending this time with us.

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Author Valerie Hansen - Free Book

I've read Valerie's books for years and loved them. I am pleased to introduce this wonderful author to you.

Welcome, Valerie. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

It’s impossible not to put much of yourself into characters, but rest assured I have never murdered anyone or taken a wagon across the prairie. One of the biggest pluses for me, is being able to express my Christian faith in my work. I have learned many of the lessons the hard way!

I understand that. What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

If, by quirkiest, you mean purposefully, then I really don’t know. I did accidentally shoot myself in the shin about a year ago when I clumsily dropped a pistol. Yes, it hurt. But I managed to write it into a later book. When I decided I wasn’t going to die from the wound I got the giggles in the ER.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I have always written extensively. Before publication, my friends received long, handwritten letters. Now, they’re lucky to get an email! As for writing professionally, I tried for my first sale when I was 40.

Before my first book sale, I wrote long letters, too. Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I actually read a lot of history, especially lately. Having a chance to write Love Inspired Historicals has given me the perfect excuse to immerse myself in the past without feeling guilty if there are dust bunnies under the couch. Actually, I think it’s a whole bunny family! To unwind, I like to read suspense and short mysteries, such as Ellery Queen and Alfred Hitchcock magazines. And I’ve been a finalist for the Alfred Hitchcock short story prize 3 times in the past year; March, Oct. and Nov. as Valerie Whisenand, my married name. (Hansen is my maiden name.)

What other books have you written, whether published or not?

So far, I have 18 published by Love Inspired, with 5 more either scheduled or contracted for. Yes, there are a few mss. sitting in a drawer, unsold, but not many. Before Love Inspired, I wrote 7 books for Silhouette Romance as Val Whisenand, and prior to that for Berkeley, Kensington, NAL Signet, Lorimar Productions (Dallas), and a few short stories.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

Here, you are assuming I have kept my sanity! Last year, I wrote 5 books in 13 months and nearly wore myself to a frazzle. This year, I’ve been encouraged to set up my own schedule so I’ve opted for only one every 3 or 4 months. I work quickly, then spend lots of time rewriting and polishing because that’s the way it works best for me. See? I am obsessed! When I get a contract and begin to complete a book, I find myself seeing the story unfold so that all I have to do is type fast enough to keep up. It’s exhilarating.

I, too, wrote 5 books in about 13 months in 2006. I know how you feel. How do you choose your characters’ names?

This can be the hardest part, for me. Once they are named, they start to take on personalities of their own. Sometimes I go through the phone book, making sure I don’t choose the name of someone I know, then match first and last names by mixing them.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

This is a hard question. I don’t consider my salvation my own accomplishment so I can’t count that. And I didn’t conceive my children alone, so that’s out, too. I have, however, been married for a gazillion years and happily. I guess I’d have to say that never giving up is the key to any accomplishment I’ve made. Including my writing career.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

Oh, a dog. Definitely a dog. And then I’d look for an owner just like I am as a person. I love dogs and the feeling is mutual.

What is your favorite food?

On or off my diet? Pizza, I guess, with anything chocolate as a tie vote.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

Fear of failure. Plain and simple. But if you don’t keep trying, you can be assured that you will fail. I try always to give the writing process to the Lord, then remind myself that how the manuscript is ultimately received is not up to me.

What advice would you give to an author just starting out?

Read. Then read some more. Although I do sell on synopsis and sample chapters, now, when I began my first book I had read so extensively in my field, the chapters sort of composed themselves. Rarely did I have to go back and lengthen or shorten. It just flowed. And I think that’s another reason why I can write a book so quickly. It’s intuitive.

I love this cover. What would you like to tell us about the featured book?

Frontier Courtship is a labor of love. So was the extensive research I did to write it. At the time I started it, I was living in CA, never dreaming I would soon move to the “wilderness” myself and complete the book here in the Ozarks. It’s one of those books that I had no ready market for but loved so much I finished it just for me. This one wasn’t quick because I took time off to continue writing contemporary romance in between sessions. Then, whenever I had a break, I went back to this wonderful saga. When it was finished, lo and behold, Love Inspired was opening their historical line and I was ready!

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I’m at www.ValerieHansen.com and on so many search engines I’ve given up looking. My books are available from Steeple Hill.com., of course, and on ChristianBooks.com, plus loads of the usual secular sources.

Thanks for giving me this forum. Blessings.

And thank you for being here, Valerie. I've thoroughly enjoyed our visit.

Readers, go to Valerie's web site and look at all her books.

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By the way, I don't know why my picture doesn't show on my profile. If you click the link to read the whole profile, my picture shows up there.