You’ve written in the
CBA market for more than 25 years, acted as a managing editor for Heartsong
Presents and as a founding member of the American Christian Fiction Writers—a
front-row seat to many of the changes in the industry. What has stood out to
you the most since you started writing?
One of the biggest things that stood out to me in the
beginning was the hesitation of the Christian community to accept fiction in
general, but especially romantic fiction. Romance had the reputation of being
nothing more than bodice rippers written solely to titillate. But as one of
those readers, I knew that wasn’t why I chose to read romance. I wanted to read
a story that ended well and left me smiling. Other genres couldn’t be trusted
to give you a “happily ever after” ending, but romance could. So why not take
it one step further and stress the positive spiritual “happily ever after”
ending?
It was a sort of love-hate relationship from the beginning. Many
Christians felt fiction was uncalled for in the Christian community because it
wasn’t a “true and factual story.” You had just a handful of authors who
actually tried to promote a strong Christian message, while others were just
shooting for “clean, wholesome” fiction. However, as people began to see the
positive encouragement that could be had from Christian fiction, attitudes
began to change. For me, I always saw my writing as a ministry that could be
used to share my faith and encourage others. When Barbour Publishing began its
Heartsong Presents line, I was there from the beginning and saw just how hungry
women were for romance that also had spiritual encouragement. As other
Christian publishers got on the bandwagon, it became evident that Christian
fiction, in general, was going to be tremendously successful.
Any predictions for
the future of where Christian fiction is going?
I think “happily ever after” endings are going to continue
to be desired, and so I think stories with romantic themes are going to
continue to be strong. However, today’s readers are also particular about
adventure and mystery. Romantic suspense – whether in the form of contemporary
or historical – is something readers will enjoy. But above all, I think there
are three main things readers are looking for today. One, the average reader
has tired of the negative and longs more and more for the positive – the theme
of good overcoming evil. You can look at books across any number of genres and
see that reoccurring theme. Second, I think the average reader is hopeful of
the idea that there is something bigger in the universe than just
themselves—that there truly is something more. Lastly, I think most readers
long for love, whether human or Divine. The popularity of various books and
series over the years proves this, whether you’re looking at Pride and Prejudice, the Twilight series, or my Golden Gate Secrets series.
Currently you are
writing or co-writing 4 novels a year, and in all have produced nearly 120
novels in your career. How do you keep up a passion for writing and generating
new and original stories?
I read a lot. I love to read fiction and non-fiction,
whatever I can get my hands on. I particularly love to read history, and as I
do, I generally find settings and events that make me want to know more. I also
travel when time permits to explore new areas and learn about regional events
and peoples. As I dig into a topic, I begin to see all sorts of ideas and
possibilities for stories. I also pray a lot about the stories I write and seek
direction on what to write about. I find that there are so many topics and
events, settings and characters that fascinate me, and that drives me on to
create and write.
What captured you
about your current series, Golden Gate Secrets?
San Francisco has always been a fascinating city. It has a
rich history that offers a great many possibilities for stories. The great
earthquake of 1906 was an event that fascinated me for a long time. Not only
did you have this destructive earthquake, but then even more destruction and
devastating loss due to the fires that followed. However, the people there were
amazing. They fought back and rebuilt the city, literally out of the ashes and
on top of the rubble. As I read about the problems and complications of
political strife and vice, it further stirred my imagination. Then one night I
was watching a documentary, and someone said something about how everyone came
to San Francisco looking for something. And voila!
I thought, “That’s perfect. My story is going to be about three young women who
come to San Francisco, each looking for something.”
What can librarians
tell their patrons is coming next from you?
The Golden Gate Secrets
series will finish with Book 2, In
Dreams Forgotten (July), and Book 3, In
Times Gone By (September), this year. After that, we’ll back up just a few
years to 1900 for my next series. In March 2019, the Brookstone Brides series will debut. This is a series set
around the Brookstone Wild West Extravaganza, a fictional wild west show made
up of all-female performers who will trick ride, sharp shoot, and Roman ride
their way into the hearts of their audiences. It focuses on three young women
who find themselves unexpectedly tied together by a murder and the mystery
surrounding it, as well as the friendship and spiritual discovery that sees
them through their difficulties. There will of course be romance, as well as
adventure. I hope the readers will enjoy it as much as I have creating it.
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