The Next Big Thing!

 

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?

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!

www.paulamowery.blogspot.com