Historical fiction requires a completely different writing process from contemporary fiction that takes place in completely fictional locales. My research for the Rockland Chronicles is usually limited to ensuring that I have the right style of phone for the era, seeing how to make candles from Continue Reading
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Inspiration for Legacy of the Vines
(note: links in this post may be affiliate links, and I may receive a commission at no cost to you) When I was fifteen, we moved out to the middle of the Mojave desert (in Mojave, California, no less) and lived there in an eighteen foot travel trailer--no electricity or running water. I was in Continue Reading
Book Trailer (Deepest Roots of the Heart)
When I first started to work on the trailer for Deepest Roots of the Heart, the title was still Casa de Sueños, and I was still trying to remember to hit Alt+164 to get the ñ in the word. I found the grapes right away--perfect. But finding other videos proved difficult. They were either too Continue Reading
Release of Deepest Roots of the Heart
Today's the day! Deepest Roots of the Heart has been released! I am so excited! After being certain I would never consider publishing traditionally, Waterfall Press changed my mind last April. Nine months later (the analogy of giving birth to a book just took on a whole new meaning), here we Continue Reading
Mix-It-Up Interviews: Christy Barritt
Well, it's our final Mix-It-Up Interview for this series. I'll try to do this again in the future, but I wanted these four interviews of the other Waterfall Press authors as we lead up to the release of Deepest Roots of the Heart. Christy Barritt's release was on Tuesday! I've been chomping at Continue Reading
Mix-It-Up Interview: Nicole Deese
Next in our interviews is Nicole Deese, author of A Cliché Christmas. Nicole and I started off talking about planners and personality tests, writing and “colorful” language. So I edited most of that out, because I really don’t think everyone is dying to “hear” us laughing about our Meyers-Briggs Continue Reading
Mix-It-Up Interviews: Sarah Price
Today's interview in my series of "Mix-It-Up" interviews is with Sarah Price. Sarah's Mennonite ancestors came over from Prussia in the 17oo's and settled in the Lancaster County area of Pennsylvania. Her rich family history gives her unique and authentic insights to the Amish culture. Sarah is a Continue Reading
Mix-It-Up Interview: T. L Gray
We're on the final countdown to the release of my book, Deepest Roots of the Heart, with Waterfall Press. To celebrate, I thought it might be fun to interview the other Waterfall Press authors and share a bit about their book releases from this year. The problem came when I realized that we've Continue Reading
Why I Absolutely Love Fiction & How It Shaped My Character
It's no secret that I love fiction. I always have. It started with Little Golden Books and my mother's Nancy Drew novels. I devoured them. My favorite, if it matters, was The Mystery at Lilac Inn. I don't remember if I loved lilacs before the book or if reading it influenced my preference for Continue Reading
Why So Many Books? : Author Q & A
Many Books Make Much Work? People often ask how I get so many book ideas, but Lisa S had a slightly different question. (Note: this is a revision of a post made January 8, 2015) She sent me this question in July: Dear Chautona, Have enjoyed your books, but notice you seem to Continue Reading
Why Do I Write Christian Fiction?
One of the most surprising questions I receive as a Christian fiction author--and from Christian readers, I might add--is "Why do you write Christian fiction?" Don't get me wrong. It's a valid question. But it still surprises me every time I hear it. First, I think I should clarify something. Continue Reading
2015 Writing Dream (I’d say goal, but who am I kidding?)
It's that day--you know the one where everyone writes out a list of "resolutions" for the year? Yeah. That one. It's also the countdown to failure for a lot of people. I like to call my so-called "resolutions" something else. "Goals." It just sounds more honest to me. I mean, I can resolve Continue Reading
