I’ve been tagged to take part in The Next Big Thing by Janet Brown, author of Victoria and the Ghost and Divine Dining http://www.janetkbrown.com/.
I answer ten questions about my next book then pass the baton on to another
author. Follow the fun, and discover what writing adventures these authors have
been up to!
What is the working title of
your next book?
Seasons of Hope, coauthored with Jennifer Slattery
Where did the idea come from for the
book?
I grew up in Christian camping ministry in East
Tennessee, so I wanted to profile a similar fictional camp with colorful
characters reminiscent of my adventures growing up. I typically like to
highlight an issue passionate on my heart. While Seasons of Hope doesn’t deal with a specific challenge like
trafficking or same-sex attraction, the story does encourage the reader to
ponder what it means to really forgive someone for abuse, not merely past
offenses, but hurts that are ongoing and pervasive. Alcoholism is so rampant in
our world and affects so many people that I wanted to highlight that addiction.
To add layers to the conflict I brainstormed until I came up with my blind
character, Loni, who sees more with her heart than the average person does with
his eyes. This is largely what attracts Michael to her, since he’s been blinded
by his own bitterness toward his father for so long.
In what genre does your book fall?
Contemporary romance
What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?
Contemporary romance
What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?
Ben
Affleck for Michael. Although Ben’s ten years older than my hero, his face kept
coming to me when I visualized Michael. And for Loni, Bryce Dallas Howard,
who’s also a few years older than my heroine.
What is the one-sentence synopsis of
your book?
A blind
woman seeks refuge at Camp Hope only to encounter the man who took her sight.
Who is publishing your book?
Unconfirmed
How long did it take you to write
the first draft of the manuscript?
Four
months. Since Jennifer and I are critique partners, I bounced the manuscript
over to her. With such wonderful insights and skill, Jennifer spotted areas
that required more depth and development. After prayer and thought, we decided
to team up on this project.
What other books would you compare
this story to within your genre?
Hmm . . .
not sure
Who or what inspired you to write
this book?
My love
for Christian camping and my heart for the hurting. I like to build characters
that, prayerfully, the reader can identify with in her/his healing journey.
What else about the book might pique
the reader’s interest?
Prayerfully, readers will enjoy a good love story.
But even more than that, I hope readers will understand that forgiveness is a
choice. Regardless of the anger we might feel, we can by God’s grace choose to
forgive. I often tell people, the ground is level at the foot of the cross.
Jesus said to his abusers, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they
do.” As Loni told Michael, “Sin often doesn’t make sense.” How true! We commit
acts of sin because we are sinners. When someone commits a sin against us, we
can ask “why?” ‘til the cows come home, but we may never receive an answer to
that question. At some point, after we’ve told the truth about the offense, in
all its ugliness, and grieved the loss, we must make a solid decision to let
the perpetrator off the hook. Every time we experience anger, we once again
surrender the person and the situation to the Lord. In our surrender, by faith,
God will eventually reward us with positive feelings. Praying for our enemies
is one of the best ways to realize this.
Now, to select another author to
take part who will post their next big thing today.
Hop on over to Paul Mowery’s blog to
catch her interview!
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