Category: Author Interviews

A Journey into YA Fantasy With Debut Author, Candice Yamnitz

7/19/2021

Candice renders her own drawings for inspiration using ClipStudioPaint software

I often interview authors who have published books similar to my genre—historical/Biblical fiction. But today, I'm not only interviewing a debut author whose novel is soon-to-be-published, but she writes YA Fantasy. It is probably the fastest growing and sought after genre, by readers and publishers alike!

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Crossing the Line: the Chicago Race Riots

11/11/2020

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I am a Chicago girl - born and raised. And I love history, which is why I am a middle-grade historical fiction author. But I know that sometimes history is not so kind. In fact, it can be cruel. Chicago has some great events - The World Columbian Exposition for one; but I'm not proud of the corruption or racial tragedies in our past.

Today, I'm featuring a Q & A with Bibi Belford, a fellow #SCBWI_IL and #ReadLocalIllinois author who brings one of these unfortunate events to life in her novel, Crossing the Line.

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Lift as You Climb: Making Diverse Voices Heard

11/4/2020

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Lift as You Climb: The Story of Ella Baker by Patricia H. Powell

Having just returned from Raleigh, North Carolina, the home of Shaw University, the first historically black university in the Southern United States, and considering the cultural, political and social climate of 2020, Patrica Powell’s picture book is timely!

She is a member of our SCBWI-IL (Illinois Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) organization, and Read Local Illinois, a service for teachers and librarians that connects authors and their books with young readers.

I love the title of her latest book, Lift as You Climb. Good leaders help others on the way up — they never steal the power or limelight for themselves. They also look for non-violent ways to solve problems and make their voices heard.

Below are a few questions I asked Patrica Powell about her newest release. . .

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Extraordinary Hospitality

9/23/2020

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Extraordinary Hospitality for Ordinary Christians by Victoria Duerstock

I am thrilled today to share a new cozy design book by Victoria Duerstock curiously titled, Extraordinary Hospitality for Ordinary Christians. In fact, it is so new, it was out of stock until this week! My copy is on its way and should arrive Saturday -- and I can't wait.

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The Love Note: Q&A with Joanna Politano

9/2/2020

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I am honored and thrilled to interview the author of The Love Note, Joanna Politano’s latest historical romance. She is originally from my ’neck of the woods’, so last year, I met her at a tea shop nearby. I couldn't wait to meet her in person. I had just read Lady Jane Disappears, and was mesmerized by all the nuances and mystery in that novel. So when she walked in with her two littles, I thought to myself That novel came from this slight young girl?? (Joanna admits she is older than she looks.)

Yes, indeed. It did — and she has published two others, since. I've read them all, each unique in plot and character, spun with a touch of mystery and spiritual insight. So, I was pleased Joanna was willing to do a Q&A so my readers could get to know this creatively insightful author!

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Fragments of Light — a WW2 Novel: Insight into the Heart

8/5/2020

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I am thrilled and honored to be hosting a Q&A with a fellow author, WW2 fan and Francophile -- only Michèle had the privilege of living in France. For me, it is a pipe-dream!

Michèle Phoenix, author of Fragments of Light, digs deep into the 1940's with it's heroes and horrors. With her past experiences, is definitely qualified to write this book -- in SO many ways. Let's get to know this creative author and her process . . .

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New Beginnings: The Way Home by Tessa Afshar

7/8/2020

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I am so honored once again to be a part of Tessa Afshar’s book launch team for The Way Home released by Moody Publishers. This time, instead of a Biblical fiction novel, Tessa has written a 6-week Bible study on a topic dear to her heart: women in Scripture who have found a new beginning and a deep faith. Although I have never met Tessa Afshar in person, I feel she is a kindred spirit in so many ways, and is dear to me!

When I discovered she was drawn to Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë, I had part of the reason. The other part you will find in the videos and interview below. Enjoy and be blessed!

The Inspiration to Write

— Tessa, what inspired you to write, “The Way Home”? What was the most difficult part of writing it?

Seven years ago, while researching In the Field of Grace, a novel I wrote based on the book of Ruth, I realized that this deceptively simple story gives us an incredible insight into the redeeming grace of God. It reveals the power of the Lord at work in the daily life and toil of ordinary people. I knew then that one day I wanted to delve deeper into the book of Ruth.

Perhaps the most difficult part of this study was the context. The events of the book of Ruth take place during the era of Judges. To truly understand Boaz, Naomi and Ruth, we have to understand their times. And the book of Judges makes for a hard study. Everyone does what is right in their own eyes. Everyone fails, from the religious leaders to the political and military powers, right down to ordinary men and women. And what is perhaps most difficult, is that we see ourselves in these people, making similar mistakes.

Unfortunately, so true, Tessa!

Biblical Inspiration for the Author's Journey

— If you could be any Biblical character found in your novels, which one would it be, and why?

This is a hard one! My characters go through a lot of pain before finding deep joy. I think I might choose either Ruth or Lydia. Ruth left her home only to find her true home. Her ultimate destiny. And Lydia found success in the world but still had the eyes to recognize that she needed Jesus. I think those are two of the most important things in our lives. That we realize how badly we need Jesus, and that we cling to God so closely that he opens the doors to our ultimate destiny on this earth.

— If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be? Why?

Eden? I long to visit the place where it all started. Where there is no pain, no sorrow, no sickness, no beauty marred, no shame.

Ahhhh, that would be wonderful, Tessa! So encouraging to know that Heaven will be our home someday!

— Do you have a favorite Bible verse, Tessa? And if so, why is it your favorite?

Right now, it is probably a word rather than a verse. The last word in the book of Ruth. It’s actually a name. The book of Ruth starts with a famine. It starts with hunger and lack and death. It ends with a person. That person is David, Ruth’s great grandson. The original readers of this story would instantly have recognized the promise contained in that name. David was the first king to unite the twelve tribes. The first to cast out the enemies of Israel so they stopped pillaging and burning their harvest. His name was synonymous with God’s provision and sufficiency. But for those of us who live under the New Covenant, the name of David points to an even greater reality. It points to the “Son of David”, the coming Messiah. We know his name. Jesus. And Jesus called himself “the Bread of Life.”

The book of Ruth starts with death. But it ends with an allusion to the resurrection and the Life. It starts with a famine, but ends with the Bread of Life who provides for every hunger and lack we may have ever experienced. It’s as if by its simple structure, God is reminding us that there is no famine in our lives that he cannot provide for through his Son.

That truth is so comforting, Tessa!

An Author's Writing Process

— Tell us a bit about your writing process? Do you have a schedule? Where and when do you write?

I have a writing room with big windows. I generally write at my desk, though sometimes, I push aside the books that inevitably sit piled on the sofa, and settle down with the computer on my lap. I am more organized when I am under deadline. In the mornings, I grab my tea, have a time of prayer, and write until I meet my word count for the day. But generally, my schedule is more flexible, including a lot of correspondence, research, and reading.

What a perfect way to being a writing session, Tessa! God's Word is inspiring, as you obviously know. ;-}

Thanks so much for this opportunity to join you and your readers, Jarm. It’s been an honor to hang out with you. You always bring so much joy and kindness wherever you are.

Awwww, thank YOU, Tessa! And I look forward to the day we meet in person, and I can give you a big hug!

Before we end, I want to share a short bio from Tessa Afshar's website below. I encourage you to check it out! And a former blogpost relating to her latest novel,Daughter of Rome.

Tessa Afshar's Short Bio:

"I was born in the Middle East to a nominally Muslim family, and lived there for the first fourteen years of my life. When my parents divorced, I moved to England where I survived boarding school for girls and fell in love with Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte. I’ve always enjoyed reading, but in my teen years in England I became a true lover of fiction.

I decided to go to college in the United States, where I have lived most of my life, and have the privilege of calling this country my earthly home. My conversion to Christianity in my twenties changed the course of my life forever. But that’s a story for another time. . .

Through all these losses and changes, God has taught me some precious truths, and this, in part, is why I write.

You will be mesmerized as you watch the video below of Tessa's journey. It will touch your heart and bring tears to your eyes. The soul of an author speaks!

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A Writerly Blog

A Journey into YA Fantasy With Debut Author, Candice Yamnitz

Crossing the Line: the Chicago Race Riots

Lift as You Climb: Making Diverse Voices Heard

Extraordinary Hospitality

The Love Note: Q&A with Joanna Politano

Fragments of Light — a WW2 Novel: Insight into the Heart

New Beginnings: The Way Home by Tessa Afshar

The Inspiration to Write

Biblical Inspiration for the Author's Journey

An Author's Writing Process

Good News!

Archives

Categories

A Writerly Blog

A Journey into YA Fantasy With Debut Author, Candice Yamnitz

Crossing the Line: the Chicago Race Riots

Lift as You Climb: Making Diverse Voices Heard

Extraordinary Hospitality

The Love Note: Q&A with Joanna Politano

Fragments of Light — a WW2 Novel: Insight into the Heart

New Beginnings: The Way Home by Tessa Afshar

The Inspiration to Write ​

Biblical Inspiration for the Author's Journey ​

An Author's Writing Process ​

Good News!

Archives

Categories

The Inspiration to Write

Biblical Inspiration for the Author's Journey

An Author's Writing Process