Calico
Brides by Darlene Franklin
I'm pleased to have Darlene Franklin with us
today. Darlene Franklin is an active member of Oklahoma City Christian Fiction
Writers, American Christian Fiction Writers, and the Christian Authors Network.
She has written twenty-six books, has been published in twenty more, and has
written more that 200 devotionals. Her historical fiction ranges from the
Revolutionary War to World War II, from Texas to Vermont.
JO:
Welcome, Darlene. What three fun or unique things can you tell us about
yourself that we don’t know?
DARLENE:
I
think I’m unique in that I write full-time from my home at a nursing home. I
sleep with a teddy bear named Michael. “Michael” was my daughter’s favorite
boy’s name, and the bear is one of her last gifts to me before she died. My
nickname is “Pancho Villa” because I wear a blue poncho to keep warm.
JO: Please describe yourself with
three words.
DARLENE: creative,
driven (with writing), compassionate
JO: What do you enjoy doing when
you’re not writing?
DARLENE:
I
love to read and watch TV (especially reality shows). I also like a good bingo
game every now and then.
JO:
How did you become involved in writing?
DARLENE:
I’ve
always written—TV take offs as a child, newspaper as a young adult—but I began
writing seriously, every day, in the wake of my divorce 22 years ago.
JO: Where do you write: Do you have a dedicated office or a corner
or nook in a room?
DARLENE: I usually write at a table in our lobby,
which has the only electrical outlets. Lately, though, I’ve been restricted to
my room for health reasons, so I write at my bedside table.
JO: Do you always know
the title of your books before you write them?
DARLENE: Unfortunately, yes. I say “unfortunately” only
because I have to come up with a title as part of the proposal process. The
right title can capture an editor’s interest, but it’s hard. I often don’t know
the best title for the story at that point. Of course, I’ve had editors change
titles before. Since the title is a marketing tool, I appreciate the input from
the professionals.
JO: Please tell us about
Calico Brides.
DARLENE: While sowing good deeds, four Kansas
women reap romance. Gladys Polson helps a crotchety widower. Annie Bliss knits
for soldiers. Birdie Landry sews dresses for saloon girls looking for a career
change. Schoolteacher Ruth Fairfield takes on three orphan children and their
new guardian. How will God stitch love into their lives?
JO: What takeaway value do you hope
your readers receive after reading this book?
DARLENE: Missions begin at home! Whom do you know in
need (physical, emotional, spiritual) that you can serve?
JO:
Where did you get the idea for your book?
DARLENE: I wanted to write a prairie romance
collection, and what says “prairie” more than Kansas and calico? A sewing
circle with a common goal was a logical fit for the novella format, and so my
mind went to one of my favorite themes: missions.
Gladys seeks to serve a crotchety
old hermit who happens to be the richest man in town.
Annie wants to knit
mittens and scarves for men serving at the nearby fort.
Birdie wants to give
other saloon girls a chance to “leave the life” by making them dresses suitable
for respectable women.
Ruth wants to make
clothes for children who lost everything in a fire.
JO: Did you have to do any research for
this book?
DARLENE: Not a lot, only to confirm things like the
presence of forts, newspapers, and colleges in Kansas in the 1870s.
JO:
How long have you been writing? When did you
sell your first book?
DARLENE: I’ve been writing seriously for 22 years. I
sold my first article (a devotion) in 1993, but I didn’t contract my first book
until 2003. That is now a decade ago. 30 books and 200 devotionals later . . .
praise the Lord!
JO: What advice would you give to writers who have been writing a
few years but still haven’t interested an agent or publisher in their novel?
DARLENE: That’s going to depend on the person. Write
every day, if you can, but on a regular basis. Feel free to experiment with
different genres. Attend and join writer’s groups where you will grow and make
invaluable contacts. Get involved with a
critique group.
And the basic advice never changes: A good writer
reads, reads, reads, and writes, writes, writes.
The writing muse can be a harsh mistress. I’ve spent
years chasing the dream and letting too many other things go. But if you can’t stop writing—keep writing.
Oh, and a final thought: if you’ve spent several
years on one book, move on to another book. Your first book is unlikely to sell
in any case. You continue growing as a writer and learning more about
marketing.
JO: What are you working on now?
DARLENE: I just turned in the manuscript for Homefront Dreams to my editor. So I get
to spend a month or so working on proposals before beginning my next contracted
book. I need to complete a synopsis for a proposal requested by the editor at
Love Inspired Historical. Then I need to write two chapters each for that
proposal and also for a book ready to contract with Heartsong.
JO: What advice would you give to writers just starting out?
DARLENE: See above. Don’t worry so much about
publishing your book. Learn the trade. And the best ways to improve, besides handing with other writers,
are to read and write.
JO: Please tell our readers where they can get your book.
DARLENE: http://amzn.to/11bGgGO
JO:
Please tell our readers where they can find you online.
DARLENE:
http://darlene franklinwrites.blogspot.com
Also follow me on Twitter and Facebook.
JO:
Any parting comment?
DARLENE:
Thanks
for having me as your guest today! In addition to fiction, I write a daily
devotion at http://mydailynibble.blogspot.com.
I’d love to have you join me in feasting on the Word of God.
JO:
Thank you, Darlene, for spending time with my readers. Darlene has graciously
given me a copy of Calico Brides,
which one of the commenters on this blog post will win in a random drawing.
Remember: leave a comment on THIS post by 6 p.m. CT Sunday, June 9, 2013 and
you'll be entered in the drawing for a copy of Calico Brides by Darlene
Franklin. You must be eighteen, have a U.S. mailing address, void where
prohibited. Please, please remember to leave your email address so that should you be the winner I can get in touch with you
for your mailing address. I’ll announce the winner in Monday’s blog.
Till next
time … keep on smiling.
Calico Brides looks great. Thanks for the interview and giveaway.
ReplyDeleteKatie J.
johnsonk133[at]yahoo[dot]com
Katie, you're welcome. Thanks for stopping by and leaving your comment. Good luck in the book drawing.
DeleteLOVE Romancing America Books, have enjoyed Darlene's writing before, MUST ENTER!!! LOL!
ReplyDeleteAmada (a.m.a.th.a)
amada_chavez{AT}yahoo{DOT}com
I am a Follower :)
Amada, you're entered. Glad you left your comment. I appreciate you being a follower of my blog. Good luck in the book drawing.
DeleteThis is a wonderful interview. Calico Brides sounds like a great book. Thank you for sharing with us. Please enter me in your giveaway.
ReplyDeleteBarbara Thompson
barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com
I am a follower!!
Barbara, you're entered. Glad you enjoyed the interview. Thanks for coming by and leaving your comment and for being a follower. Good luck in the book drawing.
DeleteBarb, glad you enjoyed the interview. Good luck on the interview.
DeleteI love this...would love to read it - thanks for the fun post..I am a follower by gfc.
ReplyDeletetruckredford(at)gmail(dot)com
Sorry to hear about your health problems. I too have some. Will have to ck. out your blogs to find some inspiration to keep from getting depressed. I find reading Christian books also helps me. The fun of a story with the added good morals.
ReplyDeletejosieringer(at)gmail(dot)com
Martha, thanks for stopping by and leaving your comment. Good luck in the book drawing.
DeleteMartha, I occasionally talk about my health problems, and writing, etc., on my Nibble blog. I hope they can encourage you.
DeleteKatie, Amanda, Barbara, so happy that you found this interview! Amada, thanks for your encouragement.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about your health issues.
ReplyDeleteReading can be a way to take our minds off of things and Christian fiction is my escape.
Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of Calico Brides.
I'm a follower via email
cindialtman(at)gmail(dot)com
Cindi, I appreciate you following my blog. Thanks for reading and leaving a comment. Good luck in the book drawing.
DeleteAmen to that, Cindi! Reading (and writing) are both marvelous ways to help us get away and return refreshed without leaving our homes.
ReplyDeleteOh wow! I have SO been wanting to read this book! (sigh) Thank you so much Miss Darlene for offering it in this giveaway!
ReplyDeleteWanda Barefoot
flghtlss1(at)yahoo(dot)com
Wanda, thanks for reading and leaving your comment. Good luck in the book drawing.
DeleteThis is a book that I'd really enjoy, thank you for the chance to win it.
ReplyDeletewfnren(at)aol(dot)com
Hi Wendy, I hope you have a chance to read Calico Brides!
DeleteWendy, you're welcome. Thanks for leaving your comment. Good luck in the book drawing.
DeleteWhat put you in a Nursing Home? What type of health issues you dealing with? I deal with rhuemotoid arthritis and have for 16 years. I would love to win and read your book and review it.
ReplyDeleteI am a follower and I get your emails.
jrs362 at Hotmail dot com
I also suffer from crippling arthritis. Pain is my constant companion and sometimes simply wears me out. I have a number of other problems as well, but that one keeps me mostly mobile.
DeleteJane, thanks so much for following my blog. Good luck in the book drawing.
DeleteJo, I enjoyed this interview with Darlene. And,, I like stories about Brides, so should be good. Please enter me in the give-away. I am a follower of yours and I left a comment on your MON. blog. MAXIE mac262(at)me(dot)com
ReplyDeleteDear Jo,
ReplyDeleteI too am a follower of your blog and receive your emails. I would love to win this book for my church library.
Thanks!
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Janet, hope you get a copy of Calico Brides for your library!
DeleteJanet, thanks for coming by and leaving your comment. I so appreciate you following my blog. Good luck in the book drawing.
DeleteGreat interview, Darlene! I'm already a follower...put me in the drawing :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your interview, Darlene - to be able to write 30 books within 10 years just amazes me, especially when dealing with continuous pain! Would love to read Calico Brides - thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
ReplyDeleteJo, I am a follower!
bonnieroof60@yahoo.com
Hi Jo, I have been a follower of your blog for a long time and receive e-mails of your posts, and also have you bookmarked so I can open your blog with one click any time.
ReplyDeleteI have a copy of The Texas Brides Collection with Angel in Disguise, and I also read Christian Fiction Historical Society and enjoy the blog posts. Historical Fiction is my favorite genre. I have the six books in the Texas Trails series.
I would like to win a copy of Calico Brides. It is really something to have all of the collection written by one author! Maple Notch Brides, following three generations, would also be a great read. Thank you for the drawing offer.
Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net
Kathleen, I so appreciate you being a follower of my blog and coming by to leave your comment. Thanks for bookmarking me. Good luck in the book drawing.
DeleteLoved the article! This book has such a catchy title, I don't usually want to read a book just because of title and/or cover, but that is what first caught my eye about this book.
ReplyDeleteWould love to win, read, and review it!
Blessings!
Jasmine A.
montanamade(at)gmail(dot)com
P.S. I am a Follower, that is how I heard about the interview and giveaway.
Jasmine, glad you liked the interview with Darlene. Thanks so much for being a follower of my blog. Good luck in the book drawing.
DeleteI love the theme of missions, reaching out for Calico Brides. Thanks for a chance to win it!
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower.
worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com
Merry, thanks for coming by and leaving your comment. So glad you're a follower of my blog. Good luck in the book drawing.
DeleteThanks for the chance to win Calico Brides! I am a follower.
ReplyDeleteseventysevensusieq[at]yahoo[dot]com
Susieq, You're welcome. Thank you so much for being a follower of my blog. Good luck in the book drawing.
DeleteI would enjoy reading this book and thank you for entering me in the drawing. Good interview, too.
ReplyDeleteDiane, glad you liked the interview. Thanks for leaving your comment. I NEED YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO ENTER YOU IN THE DRAWING SO THAT IF YOU WIN I CAN GET IN CONTACT WITH YOU.
DeleteAs someone who sews and knits... I'd love to read these stories! Thanks for entering me. twinwillowsfarm at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteThis sounds really good! I like books where the characters do for others. I'm a follower. shopgirl152nykiki(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win Calico Brides. I enjoy Darlene's books very much and this looks like another good one! Great interview.
ReplyDeleteI am a follower.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
Thanks for coming by and leaving your comment. I appreciate you being a follower of my blog. Good luck in the book drawing.
Delete