Today I'm welcoming author Laura Frantz to my blog! Laura's guest post is the second in a six week author spotlight series I'm doing here. Last week I hosted author Jody Hedlund. Check back here each Wednesday for a new author. At the bottom of this post I'll tell you how you can win a fun gift basket from
these six authors!
~ ~ ~ ~
Welcome back to my blog, Laura. I'm so happy to have you as a guest today. I think you know this already, but I can't say it enough, I love your writing. Your words sweep me away and plant me in another time and place. It's truly an honor and privilege to have you spend some time here today celebrating the release of Love's Awakening, the second book in The Ballantyne Legacy. (You can see my book review here.)
Gabrielle: For readers who might be "meeting" you here for the first time, can you give us a quick history lesson on your publication journey?
Laura: I’m actually a great example of what NOT to do on your journey to publication! My pastor brother actually dared me to do something with my stories. Since I’d been scribbling them from age 7 he believed I needed to share them. But I had no agent, no online presence, had never been to a writers conference or any of those helpful, savvy things. I thought I would prove him wrong and be rejected. So I quietly submitted sample chapters to the Writer’s Edge and was stunned when I was picked up by my publisher, Revell/Baker about six months later. Instead of a one book contract like I expected, they wanted 3 books. Since I didn’t read much in the inspirational market (other than Francine Rivers) and my books are a bit out of the box, this was truly amazing. Still is.
Gabrielle: But that's why I love your books! They are a bit out of the box and fill a need in the Christian Market. I'm especially excited about your current three-book series, The Ballantyne Legacy, following the lives of three generations in the Ballantyne family. We fell in love with Silas and Eden in the first novel, Love's Reckoning, and now we meet their daughter, Ellie, and her hero Jack in the second novel, Love's Awakening. Until now you've only written stand-alone novels. What inspired you to write three generations in three novels?
Laura: My head editor asked me if I’d be interested in writing a generational family saga. My first reaction was panic but after praying about the possibility a small avalanche of ideas began to shake loose. I'd already tucked away this little seed of a novel about an apprentice marrying into the master’s family from research so just went with that. The Underground Railroad theme blindsided me while writing as that was not the way I intended for these Ballantyne books to go – but the Lord had other plans. His ideas are always better than mine!
Gabrielle: I didn't see the Underground Railroad theme coming, either, but I loved that thread in Love's Awakening. It was a beautifully penned story. When I read your stories all else fades away and I become fully immersed in your story world. I feel every emotion on the page and I hold my breath to the very last sentence. I've heard many authors talk about the importance of their writing space and how it affects their stories. For me, I can curl up almost anywhere and let my fingers fly across the keyboard--even with children on my lap, hanging off my shoulders, and sitting on my feet. I'd love to get a glimpse into your writing space and see what inspires you! What things do you like to have around you when you write? Do you listen to music, or do you prefer silence?
Laura: So thankful my books come alive for you, Gabrielle. As for writing space, since I’m a former teacher and have my own children, I have learned to write anywhere at any time – on buses and in doctor’s offices, to Spongebob blaring in the background, outside on the porch, etc. As long as I have pen and paper with me it doesn’t matter where I am. I do love listening to music when I write and my Kentucky books were written to The Last of the Mohicans and Master and Commander Soundtracks. My ‘boom box’ broke last year and I haven’t replaced it. This reminds me it may be time . I find music very inspiring. And my preference is for a beautiful, peaceful spot to write. I’ve attached a collage of desk spaces I’ve had over the years and one I’d love to have!
Gabrielle: The journey to publication can be a long road with many twists and turns. I'm not published, yet, but already my life looks much different than it did two years ago before I started on the journey. I'd love to know, how has life changed for you since you became a published author?
Laura: I never quite realized how consuming publishing is. Writing is pure joy to me but publishing is work. I usually put in very long days starting early in the morning. Add 2 children to the mix, a husband, and aging parents and my plate is quite full. I homeschooled for 8 years and then my boys asked to go to public school after publishing kicked in. I felt the time was right and they’ve loved it and done well, thankfully. The most stunning change has been spiritually. Since publishing my debut novel I feel I’ve also entered spiritual boot camp. Here’s a Beth Moore quote that sums it up better than I could ever say, “A person has hardly begun to have a real fight on her hands until she starts serving in her full-throttle giftedness and effectiveness. She who proves a threat earns an enemy you can bet will do everything he can to make her sorry.” Amen and amen. But I will say, also, that the Lord continues to meet me at every turn and always supplies what I need to keep going. My trust level in Him has grown leaps and bounds. Here’s another favorite Beth quote that speaks to me and came just when I needed it most: “You surrender yourself to living in the tension where you’ll always be stretched and often be broken...You accept that far easier ways to live exist, but you were born for nothing less.”
Gabrielle: There are so many things I love about this answer. First, the writing is joy and the publishing is work--that deserves an amen! Second, the Beth Moore quotes are stunning. Following this calling to write (or any calling by God) can be an intense journey--but if we're not growing along the way, we're missing one of God's purposes in the calling.
Now on a lighter note, summer is quickly fading into fall, bringing with it a wealth of new activities and events. I'd love to know: What is your favorite season of the year, and why?
Laura: Since I’m a sun lover, thanks to being raised in the south, I want to say summer – but I love snow and those first daffodils popping out of the ground and a colorful autumn. I see the Lord in every season. So guess I can safely say each season is my favorite!
Gabrielle: Laura, thank you so much for being here today! Laura has graciously agreed to give away a free copy of her new release,
Love's Awakening, to one of the blog readers who comments on this post
between now and Tuesday, October 7th at 11:59 p.m.
A QUESTION FOR MY BLOG READERS: What type of environment do you work best in (whatever work that might be)?
Last weeks winner of
Rebellious Heart, by Jody Hedlund is:
Jill Weatherholt!
Jill I will be contacting you to get your mail address for Jody! Congratulations!
~ ~ ~ ~
From the back cover:
In the spring of 1822, Ellie Ballantyne leaves finishing school and returns to the family home in Pittsburgh only to find that her parents are away on a long journey and her siblings don't seem to want her to stay. Determined to stand her ground and find her place in the world, Ellie fills her time by opening a day school for young ladies.
But when one of her students turns out to be an incorrigible young member of the Turlock family, Ellie knows she must walk a fine line. Slaveholders and whiskey magnates, the Turlocks are envious of the powerful Ballantynes and suspicious of their abolitionist leanings. As Ellie becomes increasingly entangled with the rival clan--particularly the handsome Jack Turlock--she finds herself falling in love with an impossible future. Will she betray her family and side with the enemy?
~ ~ ~ ~
Award-winning historical novelist, Laura Frantz, was born into a family who followed the legendary frontiersman, Daniel Boone, to Kentucky during the turbulent 18th-century and still resides there today. Passionate about all things historical, she writes her manuscripts in longhand first. Her stories often incorporate Celtic themes. Her family lineage is Scottish and Irish.
According to Publishers Weekly, "Frantz has done her historical homework." She is known for the depth of her characterization and research. The author is represented by Janet Kobobel Grant, Literary Agent & Founder, Books & Such Literary Agency of Santa Rosa, California.
~ ~ ~ ~
Six Authors, One Grand Prize
 |
The Grand Prize:
A $25 Amazon eGift Card (not pictured) from Gabrielle
Meyer
A stationary and notepad set from Jody Hedlund
A handmade jewel
bookmark from Laura Frantz
A multi-colored peacock necklace from Wendy Paine
Miller
A copy of the movie Christmas in Connecticut from Melissa
Tagg
Book one in the Cadence of Grace Series & a worship CD from
Joanne Bischof
A black & brown scarf from Heather Day Gilbert |
Over the course of six weeks I will be hosting six authors on my blog. Each author
has agreed to offer a free copy of their newest release, as well as an item for
a grand prize drawing at the end of the six weeks! To be entered to win a free
copy of each book, all you need to do is visit my blog weekly (beginning September 25th) and comment on
each author's post. A random winner will be chosen each week. To be entered to
win the grand prize, visit my Rafflecopter below and follow the instructions. If
you do each thing listed you'll earn 45 chances to win the grand prize! Don't
forget to visit here each Wednesday to earn more chances!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
