A Writing Sister

 

I've discovered a writer who, in many ways, is like a sister to me. 

She writes historical romance, like me. She has books that take place in Oregon during the nineteenth century, like me. And she writes for the same publisher, WhiteFire Publishing, like me. I decided to interview her and introduce her to you, my readers.

Welcome Cara Grandle, fellow writer. I'm looking forward to learning a bit more about you.

1.  Has writing always been a dream of yours?

    

Now Cara's a grandmother
of this sweet little fellow.

I started dabbling in writing when my five kids were babies. I used it as the sanity escape from the land of littles. It wasn't until ten years later when I was at a women's retreat that I felt the Lord validate my dreams and encourage me to finish writing a book and go for it. It was another nine years of writing, learning, submitting, and being rejected before I signed a contract with WhiteFire Publishing.

Five children! You're incredible.

2.  When you're creating a story what is most important to you, the characters, the theme or something else?

I am a character driven writer for sure. My mind usually plays me a little snippet of a movie with a cameo of a character. Then I figure out how the character got there, who else was involved, and if they are in the middle, beginning or end of their adventure.

I like that. Very Original.

3.  If you were an animal, what would you be? And what do you think that says about you?

I don't think I've ever been asked that question before I can think of quite a few I'm glad I'm not. (Laughing.) I would probably go with Labrador ...dog. Loyal, happy, going from play time, to nap time, to meal time day in and day out. Sounds good to me.

Labradors are one of my favorite dogs. My Henry is a white lab. And he's all those things you described.

4.  Do you have a favorite genre of book or a favorite author? Why?

I write sweet romance, so of course I like that. But I'm really into cozy mysteries too. I aspire to one day write one. But they are a mite harder to write than my sweet romances. So many details to keep track of.

Mysteries are indeed a challenge, especially for linear thinkers like me. I'll be watching for your first mystery.

5.  Where would you go on your dream vacation?

I would go to Spain and immerse myself in the language and culture for a good three weeks. I'm almost bilingual and would like that experience to solidify all the years of lessons. If I had to pick inside the USA, I really want to go see the Tetons.

Both of those sound like a dream.

6.  What does your typical day look like?

Typical day? What's that? Does anyone have Typical days these days? Typically, I spend some time helping with my aging parents and in-laws. Other times I'm playing with my new grandson (only a few months old). I raise Labrador Retrievers (Which probably explains the answer to question three), chickens and rabbits, and I love to paint, draw, garden, film YouTube videos around the writing/editing schedule. So pretty much anything that fuels my creative inspiration is on the table. And it also means, I'm a little all over the place--but it's fun.

I knew you were the creative type the first time I met you on a Zoom call with WhiteFire. It's a gift to you and to others.

7.  Your books are considered Christian Fiction. Would you agree with that? Why do you write for the Christian market?

I write for the Christian market because I can't separate my heart that's in love with Jesus from my heart that loves writing and creating complicated and beautiful people. For me, to feel the heights of a great love story, I need to include the heights of our truest redemption story--the source of our best love.

Exactly! I want to give you a high five on that one.

8. Can you tell us a little about your new book? And what are you working on now?

Book three of the Sisters of the Porcelain Doll series. The Rose, is coming out September 5, 2023. It is a "It takes a thief to catch a thief story." It's delightfully fast paced and has a twist or two.

I'm presently reading "The Ribbon" and look forward to "The Rose".

Here's a glimpse of what you can find inside the pages of Cara's latest novel, The Rose.

Under the thumb of her overbearing stepbrother, Rose Briggs must survive crossing the Oregon Trail before she can find the freedom and means to open a mercantile close to her sisters. Little did she know she stepped into the plans of a ring of thieves.

Worn down to skin and bones with nothing to call his own, Amos Pate a reformed outlaw, will do anything to keep his vow to never steal again. Anything except standing by and letting his loved ones die. 

They must stay one step ahead of a band of criminals, or they lose everything they are living for.

This sounds really good. I can't wait to read it!

Thank you, Cara, for taking time to visit with us. 

Cara is having a GIVEAWAY! If you sign up for her newsletter you will be entered in a drawing for book one in the Sisters of the Porcelain Doll series.

Enter a give away by subscribing to Cara’s email - click here.

I had forgotten how much I enjoy interviewing other writers. I think I'm going to do more. Make sure to stop in and check out what's up or click on the follow and never miss a posting.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie Leon

Best Worst Thing

While reading through my morning devotional, which happened to be titled "best worst thing" a question nudged me. What was my best worst thing?

I have many. But this morning I was carried back to a June day in 1991. My daughter and I were headed up a road that winds along a local tributary called Little River. We were singing along to the radio and enjoying the rush of summer air coming in through our opened windows. I needed to deliver a meal to a home bound couple on the river. We were about six miles up when a fully loaded log truck with a second trailer approached us from the opposite direction.

I noticed that as it came around the corner its outside tires were lifted up off the pavement. It was going to tip over!

And it did. 

The truck spilled giant logs onto the roadway and down the bank in front of us, then the trailer barreled at us. My mind searched for a way to survive, but no idea seemed to be enough. Certain my daughter and I were facing our last moments on this planet, I slammed on my brakes, hoping to diminish the impact and steered as close to the edge of the highway as I dared. And then ... amid the screaming sounds of screeching breaks, shattering glass and grinding metal the truck trailer slammed into our van.

That was a worst moment, worst day,  and what followed were the worst months of my life.

My daughter Kristi and I survived that terrible accident. Kristi was physically uninjured but she still carries emotional scars. Me ... well I'm thankful for my life. I had a number of injuries, some that never healed. 

My life changed dramatically. I couldn't return to work. Couldn't clean my house. Couldn't cook meals. Couldn't buy groceries. And a lot more couldn'ts. In the early weeks, I thought I would recover, but I never fully did. When doctors told me I would have to accept my painful condition and go on with life I was pretty devastated.

But that's just the worse part of the story. There are a lot of those kind of stories in the Bible. Something terrible happens to one of God's people and it looks like the worst thing ever, but God steps in and uses it as a best thing.

Because of my injuries I couldn't return to work and I slid into a deep depression. The darkness drove me to search for the Light. I needed God so badly and knew He was my only salvation. I prayed that He would reveal His plans to me.

Before the accident I'd played at writing. It was a fun little hobby. But God wanted it to be more than just a pleasant pass time. He stirred my heart into a fervent desire to create with the written word. With courage given by God and with guidance from other authors I stepped into the writing world with a first book, The Journey of Eleven Moons. 

It was part of my best thing. Incredibly it became a best selling book. God is so good. 

He opened doors and I kept moving forward. I've never had a big footprint in the writing world, but I've had a grand time creating stories - twenty three so far. It hasn't been easy but the rewards have been huge.

I've worked hard, trusting God, and he has blessed me. I hear from people nearly every day who have been encouraged or uplifted by reading something I've written. It's gratifying to know that my small footprint is having a big impact in some people's lives. 

When I look back and remember that what I originally thought was my worst thing was actually a best thing. It was and is all because of God. He helps me along my way every day.

What about you? Do you have a worst thing? Believe God is in the midst of that and it can be your best thing.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

Laying Down Our Lives

A writer's life is mostly solitary. We require large blocks of time to get the stories from our hearts and minds onto the page. However, there are special events when we leave our solitary spaces and gather together.

One of my favorite events is the Oregon Christian Writers Summer Conference. It is taking place this week in Portland. Sadly, I'm there only in spirit this year. 

Today (Wednesday) is day three, generally the most difficult day for me. I'm usually worn out and am craving a nap, but often there is no time. I tell myself, "I can sleep when I get home." I don't want to miss out on anything. 

I love too teach and to mentor fledgling writers. It's beautiful to see a struggling new writer walk away from a class or a mentoring session thinking, I can do this! 

I cherish time spent with other authors. We work through plotting problems, solve issues about characters, flesh out stories and sometimes even realize we've been "barking up" the wrong tree and drop a project and begin anew. 

Some of my most treasured memories were created at OCW conferences. My first conference was startling, overwhelming, terrifying and wonderful. I met crazy people like me. People who love books and reading and who relish creating stories, working through the intricacies of building believable and enticing plots, and who love creating characters readers care about. I met writers who were willing to give their time to a newbie like me. I met prayer warriors who came alongside me to encourage and lift my writing up to the Lord. And I met life-long friends.

I long to be at the conference this week, but just couldn't make it happen. I know some of the writers there are feeling discouraged and wondering why they ever thought they could write. I've been there. Others are on edge, wondering if their appointment with an agent/editor/publisher will go well and are praying they don't blow it. And some will find a new agent who loves their work and will stand with them as they charge into the publishing world. There will be those who find a home for their most recent work and are pinching themselves to make sure it isn't a dream. 
  
There are classes, meetings, worship and prayer going on all over the conference center. And there's writing, lots of writing. Prayer warriors are lifting up conferees, teachers and speakers. People gather together in prayer, trusting their lives and their careers to God.

A writers life, from beginning to end, is like mountain climbing. Scaling mountains is grueling work and dangerous, each climb is a risk. But writers all over the planet are willing to lay down their lives to fulfill their passion. We need to pray for them. This week I'm praying especially for those taking part in the OCW Summer Conference. Will you join me? 

There is power in the pen. Writers can change the course of lives. 

And just a note to Christian writers, remember, we all are on the same team. We work hard, serving  God ... for His Glory ... not our own.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

The Race

Do you remember the movie, The Perfect Storm? It was based on a true story of a fishing boat and its crew who were caught in the midst of several storms. No matter what the captain tried he could find no way out. They were trapped.

The ship went down with all crew members.

I've kind of felt like I've been in the midst of a perfect storm for most of the last year. With the illness and death of my sister-in-law, then my sister's battle with cancer and her death, and my mother's home-going in February, I felt like a hapless captain going down with his ship. 

I've mostly been in a grieving place as well as struggling with my loss of vision and physical challenges. Life has been hard. 

But even when we feel there is no way out of our storm God has not forsaken us. He provides for all our needs. 

I am so thankful for the many friends and loved ones who have held me up in prayer. Thank you. I'm beginning to rally. I still grieve (that process will take time), but I'm beginning to feel more like myself.

I was recently reminded that God has given me gifts and talents and long ago He set me off on a race He wants me to run. And so I put on new running shoes and have set off once more to run my race, the one given to me by the One True God.

I'm working on my health and making changes to help me deal with vision loss. And I will be working with a new publisher, WhiteFire Publishing. I have every reason to believe we will do great things together. 

I've plunged back into my novel and am feeling good. I love to write! 

I will try to do a better job of staying in touch with you here on my blog and will keep you up to date on my new story. I think you're going to like it. 

I pray you are feeling God's presence and that you are enjoying the beautiful world He created for us. And I pray you are running your race. Remember, we don't run alone. 

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

Moving On

What a summer it has been. I decided to not write and went on summer vacation instead. I've been gardening, swimming, camping and traveling. It's been fun. 

This season has also been physically and emotionally painful. 

My body hurts more than I can remember. Beware - gardening can be harmful to joints and muscles.  





I loved getting my hands into the dirt and watching plants grow. And I've enjoyed the fresh vegetables on my table, but I'm not sure the additional pain is worth it all. Likely I will not have a full-blown garden next summer.

I do have a plan B, however. How about a green house where I can grow citrus trees, and an avocado tree along with a few veggies and herbs? I'm thinking about it.

There's been a lot going on in my family - too much to include here. But I feel a need to share a couple of heartbreaking events. 

Early this summer my dear sister-in-law Sally lost her battle with cancer. 

Sally with her daughters and grandson.

She fought hard. It is a great sorrow to all who love her. She was a fine person and the most dedicated mother and grandmother I've ever known.





The other terrible news is that my sister has renal cell carcinoma. Knowing the battle she faces makes my heart ache, but my sister is tough and with the courage and strength of the Lord she's got her dukes up. 

She's recovering from a big surgery and will be starting treatment soon. 





I've spent many days in the swimming pool this summer, good times with my family, and I've worked in my garden, which is nearly done for the season. The potatoes are just about ready to harvest and the tomatoes are ripening. 

It's time to think about returning to work. 

After my diagnosis of MacTel II (Idiopathic Juxtafoveal Telangiectasia, type 2) I decided to retire. My vision had become so poor that the hours spent on my computer were difficult and draining. But, try as I might, I'm not ready to quit yet. I have more stories to tell. I'm learning to use technology more and my eyes less so I can move forward. And I hope to complete another novel in the coming year.

I'm excited. I'm loving the story. 

It's a mid-nineteenth century historical that take place in my own part of the world, here in Southern Oregon. There were Indian wars going on, and brave souls daring to make a new beginning in the wilds of the Oregon Territory. It's a perfect time and place for the story that's rambling through my brain.

My female protagonist, Emmalin Hammond, has only known the life of the affluent in Philadelphia, but after her mother's death she can no longer rely on her uncles's kindness and sets out to find a father she thought had died before her birth. 

She's naive and spoiled, but determined and possesses courage she didn't know she had. Nothing will be the same. There will be sorrows and challenges for Emmalin, but life still holds hope and joy as she treks into the unknown. I'm excited to experience her story and that of the other incredible people who become part of her life.

I will share more in the weeks and months to come as I return to storytelling. 

Grace and peace to you from God.