This month, I’m happy to welcome inspirational author Darlene Franklin to Readin’ and Writin’ Stuff. Darlene has experienced great success in the publishing world this year. Between now and the end of the month, leave a comment here for a chance to win one of Darlene’s books. A name will be drawn for every fifteen comments.To increase your chances of winning, go to Darlene’s blog (listed at the end of the interview) and leave a comment there, also.
Welcome, Darlene. I’ll begin the interview with congratulations on your latest contract, the third Vermont book. How many of your titles are published? I have six books in print with nine more promised. The earliest, Romanian Rhapsody, came out in 2005. Most recently, Wild West Christmas came out last fall. I have four books scheduled for publication for this year. I’m still pinching myself!
It sounds like you’ve been really busy! What can you tell us about your current WIP?I am alternating between two WIPs. I am about to start revisions to my second Vermont historical romance, Bridge to Love. How can Calvin Tuttle keep his farm going during the infamous Year of No Summer (1816), pay the bank—and win the heart of the banker’s daughter? I’m also working on a longer historical novel, Ohio Bound, another Year of No Summer story.
Are you a chapter-by-chapter plotter, seat-of-the-pantser, or in between?Since I write for Barbour, I’ve had to plot chapter-by-chapter. On the few occasions that I have started out seat-of-the-pants, I’ve ended up doing a chapter-by-chapter plot eventually.
But ... some people plan scene by scene. I don’t. Consider this chapter description from the middle of Prodigal Patriot (due out this July): “Josiah warns the Reids of continuing animosity among the Tories, and his father’s hardened stance. He can tell they are wary of his presence, and he jumps into helping them with the farm. Although working both his farm and the Reids’ wears him out, the thought of seeing Sally again spurs him to continue the effort.” It takes work and seat-of-the-pants thinking to flesh that out into action and story.
The plots you’ve mentioned sound intriguing. Where do you get ideas for your stories?Ideas come from everywhere. The first two Vermont books (Prodigal Patriot and Bridge to Love) are based on folktales from Vermont; the third book, Love’s Raid, is my “what if” extension of the northernmost battle of the Civil War (St. Alban’s Raid.)
Ohio Bound was inspired by a place (Maineville, Ohio): my couple moves from Maine to Ohio. Two of my stories were inspired by natural disasters (Colorado’s greatest snowfall, 1913; and the “Great Gale of 1816” in Rhode Island).
And where do you get ideas for your characters?Often the character suggests the story—or vice versa. Annie Oakley suggested Lucy Ames, the sharpshooter heroine who appears in my novella in Wild West Christmas. When I learned about a lighthouse destroyed during the 1816 hurricane, I knew I wanted to write about a lighthouse keeper. When I read a paragraph about a vintage clothing story, my mystery heroine, Cici Wilde, jumped full-formed into my mind. They are not based on people I know, but they all have bits and pieces of me.
I understand you read a lot. What are your current reads?I’m reading fewer books than usual for me at the moment: Love Finds You in Bridal Veil, Oregon by Mirralee Ferrell; The Captain’s Lady by Louise Gouge; Surprised by Prayer, a terrific Guideposts volume about unexpected answers to prayer; and The Lord God Made Them All by James Herriott.
Thank you for your time, Darlene, and God's blessings on your writing.
Readers, don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a free book. For more information on Darlene’s books, visit her blogsite at
http://darlenefranklinwrites.blogspot.com/. Leave a comment there, also, and increase your chances of winning a free book.
