Amy R. Anguish's Blog, page 7

Author Interview: Lynnea Mileusnich

I love meeting new authors, especially when they're just starting out on their writing journey. When I joined our local writing group, I had no idea how many other Christian authors were in our group. And I definitely wasn't expecting a teenager like Lynnea Mileusnich. Not because I don't think teenagers can write, but because you don't expect them to write as well as grown ups. Don't believe it. Lynnea is amazing and such a blessing in my life and I'm thrilled to introduce her and her new book to you! Lynnea, congratulations on your new release. What inspired you to want to start writing?

Thanks! All praise belongs to God, who told me to work on the series in the first place. I’d have to say my family influenced me the most up until the time I started writing Heir of Promise. All of my siblings are creative in different ways, and I mixed their creativity together to make my own. My brother is a detailed worldbuilder, my oldest sister is a crafter, my other sister is an artist, and my sister-in-law is a writer. I think they really impacted my creative development. The original Wings of a Hero story was originally a sort-of graphic novel with all sorts of my drawings and little dialogue bubbles (I probably killed a tree with how much paper I used, hah).
When I saw my sister-in-law Amber communicate her stories through writing, I saw it as another method to express my story. Wings of a Hero turned into 100,000 words in 2020, and I decided to rewrite it and turn it into a series in 2023 after a prompting from God. I’m so blessed to have recently published book one, Heir of Promise. What made you choose fantasy as your genre of choice? What is it that draws you to write speculative?

I don’t think I chose fantasy. I’ve lived it. I’ve always loved to read and create stories that are set in a different world because, well, why would I want to read about the world I’m already used to? It’s so much more exciting to explore and create the unknown. There’s a certain freedom that comes from it. The way I see it, God created the world, and He made us in His image. Just as He empowered us with the creativity necessary to create never-before-seen art, music, and stories, He also fills us with the ability to generate new worlds, to take what He has given us and twist it in different ways, like a mosaic. Honestly, if God didn’t give me the desire and calling for fantasy, I don’t know how much of a writer I would be.

Of all the species you could have chosen to make your main character, what made you choose a wolf?

I think when answering this question it’s important to understand how this story came about. I actually didn’t start with wolves. My first character was a little reptilian creature I called Neoda, created during an Inktober daily challenge. As adorable as the little guy was, I couldn’t leave him all alone. I thought, “I have to give him a friend!” and from there came Saka, my main character, followed by Bella, his closest ally. The characters kind of just popped out of my brain and over time formed a story of their own as I added new characters, created a history, world, and plot. So I never asked myself, “What species of animal would best tell this story?” The characters ultimately came first.
So why a wolf? The answer is simply that I love them. They’re the sweetest yet fiercest creatures and I believe one of the most beautiful in all the creation that has God made. I love to draw them and write about them, and my room is full of them from my bookshelf to my dresser and even my walls. Wings of a Hero became about wolves because I love them.

Which one of your characters is most like you? In what way?

Each character has a part of me in them. But if I had to select one character who feels the most like me, it would be Bella. She’s the first wolf introduced who holds the Christian faith, and I pour myself into her because of that. She’s the greatest influence on Saka and is a large part of how he learns to seek the Great One. Perhaps that’s because I want to be the friend who brings someone close to Christ, or to be a part of it. In many ways, our personalities are the same. I’m an ENFJ, and whenever I consider Bella, I can’t help but view her the same way. She’s also very dear and special to me, and I find myself pouring my heart into her. I believe that’s why she’s so similar to me.

You're much younger than a lot of authors are when they first get published. Do you think this gives you an advantage or disadvantage and why?

While there are disadvantages, like how I find it harder to relate to other authors who are already parents or even grandparents, have their own homes and families to take care of, I believe starting young is very much an advantage. My youth as a published author is a surprise to many in my sphere of influence, and so I have teachers, fellow students, church members, and family friends who all immediately want a book from me. I barely have to pitch it because I’m a rarity. I think it also provides an advantage for my readers. Being closer to the middle grade age group, I’m not as isolated from the years I spent reading middle grade novels. Also, the earlier I begin, the more time I have to write more and more books! I see it as a great advantage.

With such a young start, where do you hope your writing career goes from here?

I really am hoping and praying for a success that will enable me to continue this series. It’s what God has told me to write and publish, and I’m excited to see where it takes me. I haven’t considered publishing anything outside of Wings of a Hero, but I have plans for the series! After finishing the quadrilogy, I hope to write two prequels, one an anthology of the characters' pasts before the events of the series and the other set in wolf history, bearing the theme of standing up for truth and morality. And who knows, maybe the Lord will bless me and enable me to go even further, but I’m waiting for His guidance on that. Those are still years away.

Can you give us a sneak peek into what you are working on next?

Of course! I’ve started writing book two, Prince of Truth (working title), and y’all . . . I nearly made myself cry just by writing the plot, before I even started writing. The emotion! I hope to release it next fall/winter. So excited! Saka must face a trial he had hoped he would never experience . . . and it will determine his future.

Last but not least, can you tell us one interesting thing about yourself that very few people already know?

That’s a difficult question, because I’m a very vocal person when it comes to my desires and experiences. So . . . how about this: I mentioned earlier that I love wolves. When I was somewhere between six and eight years old, I used to pretend I was a wolf—the whole getup. I would walk on four “legs”, wear a pretend tail, and climb on the arm of the couch to pretend to howl. I’m glad I grew out of that phase, hah. But I think that really shows that my love of wolves has been persistent since I was little. You can walk away from this interview knowing that a published author once frolicked around in her living room pretending to be one of the animals that she would eventually write about. I guess it was destined to be!

​Such a cute fact about yourself! Thanks for sharing so much with us today, Lynnea.
​And readers, keep reading to find out more about her book and how to keep up with her writing journey.
Heir of Promise

Death stalks him.

The only wolf of his pack to be born with wings, Saka seeks to abandon his constant torment of a family.

But when he kills his brother in a fit of rage and flees his family’s vengeance, he learns that being on his own is far from the glorious life he envisioned. The rest of the world schemes not only to ruin his life, but to tear off every last piece of his sleek black fur.

All except for one pink wolf who blossoms amidst adversity.

Bella teaches Saka his wings are not just props on his back, but the call to a higher purpose. Alongside the Resistance, he’s thrust into war. If he can manage to defeat King Moaphu, it might be the opportunity Saka needs to make up for his mistakes.

Will Saka be able to make amends for killing his brother?
Can he be the hero Bella says he is?

With the entire continent looking to him, will the Great One come to his aid to unify the land, or will they crumble under Moaphu’s paw?

​ ​Lynnea Mileusnich grew up in the Chicago area. Inspired by her older siblings–artists, worldbuilders, writers–she naturally began a writing journey of her own. At first just for creativity, her writing path became her calling, and she sought to include themes, influences, and struggles that reflect God’s Word. 
She created more than fifteen stories and nearly two hundred characters as a young teenager, constantly either drawing, plotting, worldbuilding, or writing. At the age of thirteen she wrote her first complete draft of a story titled Wings of a Hero on her mom’s laptop. Now attending high school in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, she has published her first novel of the Wings of a Hero series, Heir of Promise, at age 18.
LinksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynneamileu...
Website: https://lynneamileusnich.com/

My 2024 Editing Babies

When I started editing a few years ago, I was so nervous. After all, I still need people to edit my books for me. How could I possibly catch everything that needed to be caught on someone else's story?
Obviously, I have conquered that fear for the most part. I will say, I still pray over each and every book I edit because I want to help the author make it the best it can possibly be. But I also can't imagine not editing anymore. I love working with other authors, helping them strengthen stories, and I definitely adore being able to read a book before anyone else. ;)
This year, eight books released which I was content editor on. I'm thrilled to share them with you because they're all good and I definitely recommend them. So, here's the list with a little bit about each story. Just click on the cover if you want to know more.
This is Jenny Carlisle's third full-length novel, and the final book in her Crossroads series. She also has a novella included in the A Gift for All Time collection, which ties in to these stories.
In this story, she has characters on the brink of adulthood, having to make hard decisions. I very much enjoyed the fact that some of her characters have to deal with situations you don't always see in a book.
Jenny describes this as women's fiction with a little romance, but I describe it as sweet romance. Feel free to check it out and see if you agree!
I very much enjoyed this one. Terri does an excellent job with her flyboys. Her setting is completely original. Have you ever read a WWII book set in Brazil before? I loved learning some of the history of that part of the world as I read this gorgeous romance.
The humor laced through between the men on the plane, the interesting aspects of the origins of the character, and the bad guy so easy to root against all made for a very enjoyable read.
​(I've already edited her newest book which will release early in 2025, and I'm excited for you to read it too!)
You guys. When I met Tonya Ashley about seven or eight years ago, I had no idea I'd end up being blessed with editing her stories. I got a sneak peek of the first chapter of this book years ago and encouraged her to keep writing. And she did!
Her setting is in Van Buren, Arkansas, just a little after the '49ers rushed through. If you haven't read her story in A Gift for All Time, it comes before this one, but both are a stand-alone.
Her female character is spunky and daring, not at what you might expect to find in a woman back then. And her male is easy to fall in love with even as he tries to hold us back at arm's length. There is romance, a bit of mystery, and even some adventure before the end. I loved it.
Lori DeJong has quickly become a dear friend in the last few years. This is the second book in her series and I'm sad that I'm about to edit the last, because it's so good, y'all. 
Set in the Dallas area of Texas, Lori continues the tale of the student ministry she introduced us to in her first book. We revisit two secondary characters from the first book in this story as they take center-stage, revealing why they've acted the way the did, as well as letting us in on some hidden motivations.
The way she writes, you honestly think these people and situations are real, that you can see and smell and taste everything in the book, and that you're going to want to go back again and again.
Cynthia Roemer weaves such beautiful stories. This book is the third in her Wounded Hearts series. I knew going in that this book would be different from the first two because in this one, the war has been over for a few years.
While you might think that would leave things more settled for the characters, there is still plenty to interrupt their day-to-day life and plans.
The young sister of the men in the first two books becomes the heroine in this tale, as she strives to hold together the life she's always known while everything around her changes and shifts.
The hero has lost his memory and can't let himself move on until he figures out what he's left behind. 
Cynthia does a wonderful job of being realistic and still giving you a happy ending. I recommend all of her books.
I never imagined I would edit biblical fiction. The weight of responsibility to make sure everything is as accurate as possible is huge. But I was passed Linda Dindzans's first book, and you guys, it's so good.
Linda weaves together the story of the Samaritan woman, the Good Samaritan, and a bunch of history, to leave you with this intense story of people who discover Jesus and learn that only He can help with their struggles and hurts.
As with all biblical fiction, you have to remember that this is fiction and only how an author has imagined things MIGHT have happened. But it's also a great way to immerse yourself in a story that is set in the times of our savior and be able to better picture things as you read the Bible.
Regina Rudd Merrick is one of my dearest friends. I'm so glad she's part of my life. And her RenoVations series is a fun one. Join us in Kentucky as we meet another of the Reno family, this time a twin brother. He's moving back in with his grandparents while he looks for a job, and also filling in as a jack-of-all-trades for his cousin.
Which sets him up to work with the heroine, which is a master electrician and fully intends to resist his charm. Except when throw together over and over again, and when he helps her with her own house renovations, how can she ignore the attraction?
As always, this book has plenty of charm and shenanigans. Prepare to enjoy yourself. Every been to Colorado? Donna Wichelman's first book takes you there, with all the amazing details of the coal-mining town where she's set her story. Get ready for a spunky Irish girl and a grieving widower to clash with each other from the first moment--until they don't.
This story has a gorgeous setting, interesting history, fun characters, and a wonderful heaping of Christmas cheer. It's a great start to what is sure to be a wonderful series.
Ready to read? Which book sounded the most interesting to you?

How did 2024 Go?

Another year draws to a close. Are you like me, looking back and wondering how everything didn't get done? Or wondering how you got so many things done?
I've got to admit, this year went a bit different than planned, not always in a bad way. I had two books release, which is the personal goal I have set myself for now (after almost killing myself doing four a few years ago). And I have contracts for two more to release next year. But ...
Are you hard on yourself? I am so hard on myself.
I really wanted to finish writing Fairest Inn All, my Snow White retelling. But it has not happened. I'm still hoping to finish it in time to snag a contract for it to release in 2026, but we'll see. Life has lots of interruptions. Especially with kids 10 and 8. And other jobs. And all the things I think I need to be involved in.
That being said, let's celebrate what was accomplished this year.I finished writing my novella early in the year, which released in October. For Better or For Granted released back in March, and is being touted as my best book yet. Makes me feel pretty good. ;)I snagged a contract for Rendersella to release July 2025.I was blessed to be asked to participate in another novella collection to release in February 2025, and was able to write a fun story involving a hamster, a kindergarten classroom, and Valentine's day. The collection is Pets Amore' and I'll reveal the cover very soon.Our Christmas novella collection, A Match Made at Christmas , released in October and has only good reviews.I was blessed to see so many writing friends at ScrivCon in November. And was surprised to be one of the two editors awarded Editor of the Year for 2023. And in the midst of all of that, I edited quite a few really good books by other authors (more on that in Thursday's post).Did I accomplish everything I set out to do this year? No. But that doesn't mean it was bad. It was full of blessings, and I count my readers as a huge blessing. Thank you for being a part of this crazy journey. I pray it will continue for years to come. And, if all the story ideas in my head are an indication, it will.
I hope your 2024 was blessed too. The good part about not finishing everything this year is that we have something to start 2025 with, right?
Did you accomplish all you set out to do in 2024? What's one of the best things to happen to you this year?

A Bookish Christmas

If you've followed me for long at all, you know I love all things bookish. Socks, T-shirts, mugs, etc. Therefore, it probably doesn't surprise you that I own a shirt and earrings that look like a Christmas tree made of books. I just can't help myself. They're too cute.
So, when my publishing company family decided to participate in our own version of Jolabokaflod, I was intrigued.
What is Jolabokaflod, you ask. Great question. It's a tradition in Iceland and means "book flood." Basically, on Christmas Eve, people gift each other books and then spend the rest of the evening snuggled up reading. Sounds wonderful, right?
Well, I probably won't get to snuggle up and just read on Christmas Eve evening, but I did participate in the book exchange we did. We all signed up and then were given a name. The rules were that we had to gift a book from our shelf--no buying anything new. I always have a few I've read but don't necessarily want to keep forever so that was fine. We mail the book (wrapped) and then on Christmas Eve, we'll all post pictures or videos of what books we got so we can all be excited with each other.
Fun, right?
For a couple weeks now, I've had a wrapped book under my tree from my good friend Mary Pat Johns. I can't wait to see what she sent me. And I'm hoping my friend Beth in New York will enjoy the one I sent her way. Considering how many of us read various genres, this could be interesting. But I expect I'll love whatever it is.
Just one more sleep until I can find out!
Have you ever participated in something like this? Would you ever want to? I think exchanging books is much more fun than exchanging ornaments, like a lot of people do. How about you?

Sadness at Christmas

I was addressing Christmas cards a few weeks ago and had to stop. It was the first year I would address an envelope to one person but not his spouse. The first time that name wouldn't be on my list. And it hurt. I stopped and teared up for a few minutes, praying for the family that would be without their Marmie at Christmas for the first time. For the man who would do Christmas without his wife.
I had a friend lose her dad a few weeks ago. Another has her dad on hospice. Several friends have received cancer diagnoses or news that wasn't what they wished. Another friend suffered a traumatic brain injury over Thanksgiving break.
But it's Christmas. That means we have to be happy, right? Here's the thing. Joy doesn't mean we're always happy. It doesn't mean we can't have moments of sadness and grief. It doesn't mean every single minute of the holidays will be all jingle bells and sugar cookies.
Because this is the real world. So, please, by all means, enjoy the happy moments. Sing the songs and laugh when you can. But know it's okay to be sad too.
In my book, Mama Dated Santa, my character Trudy is dealing with this. Her dad was her source of happiness at Christmas and when he passed away, it stole the joy of the season from her. She forgot that you can have joy and grief at the same time. 
Let's be honest, do we ever only feel one emotion at a time? I rarely do. Instead, we run the gamut of a range of emotions. It's the way God made us. And He understands. He's had joy and grief mixed together at the same time too.
What about you? Do you struggle at the holidays? How do you still hold on to the joy?

Children at Christmas

All three of my Christmas stories have children in them. Want to know why? I can't imagine Christmas without kids.
Don't get me wrong. We had ten Christmases without children, while we waited on God's perfect timing. And I enjoyed those Christmases. But they lacked something.
There is something magical about seeing the holidays through a child's eyes. They still believe in magic and see it in every piece of the holidays. Why not join them?
The child in my first Christmas story, "Mistletoe Make-Believe," is Haley, a ten-year-old girl who is starting to grow up, but not quite ready to do it all the way. She says she's too old for Santa (so sad considering I have a ten-year-old still holding on this year), but is all about decorating driftwood on the beach, ice skating, and riding a trolley to look at lights. All things I could see me doing with my own children.
My second Christmas story, Mama Dated Santa, has Mark, my heroine's four-year-old nephew. Not only is he absolutely certain Santa will bring him his dreamed-of firetruck, he's sure Santa can help his Aunt Trudy not be so sad anymore. And he's all in when it comes to decorating cookies and singing Christmas songs at the top of his lungs.
And the story that came out this year, "A-parent-ly Christmas," has Andy. He's a precocious eight-year-old who is set on getting his parents back together, no matter what. Because Christmas together is definitely better than Christmas with only one parent. And having snow on Christmas? Icing on the cake, so to speak. Not to mention all the icing for the cookies.

Little pieces of my own children are woven into these fictional kids in my stories. Because they definitely make Christmas more magical for me too. They want to do all the things, watch all the specials, put up all the lights and decorations, and wear all the jingle bells. And I know that as exasperating as it sometimes in during the middle of it, someday I'll miss the chaos. 
Now, to figure out a child to weave into my next Christmas story, which I'm aiming to release fall of 2026. ;)
What about you? Do you find Christmas better when celebrated with children? Do you think they add something special to Christmas stories too? Got a favorite?

Book Spotlight: The Case of the Stolen Memories

Can fictional murders lead to real-life ones? I'd like to hope not, but just listen to this funny story from my good friend Deborah Sprinkles. She writes mystery and suspense and this new series of hers is sure to pique your interest. When I decided to write my Mac and Sam mystery series, starring Mackenzie Love and Samantha Majors, the first thing I had to do was choose a location. Would their private investigation firm be in an imaginary town like my first series or a real one? There were advantages to both.
 
I liked the idea of a small town close to a big city. It offered the best of both worlds. And, being from St. Louis, I knew the perfect location. Washington, Missouri, a small town on the Missouri River about forty-five minutes southwest of St. Louis. I’d been there a number of times and loved it. 
​Now came the difficult, but fun, part. I hadn’t been to Washington for a number of years, and then I’d visited for fun, not for research. My husband, Les, and I planned our first trip around a visit to family in St. Louis. We spent two and a half days taking photos and talking to people.
 
I’d come with what I thought was an extensive list of things to do, people to look up, and questions to ask. One of those people was the Police Chief. I just knew he’d welcome me with open arms. So, one of our first stops was to the Public Safety Building which is where the police department is housed on the second floor.
 
The receptionist listened to my spiel about being a novelist and how I was writing a mystery series set in Washington, and would like to establish a contact person in the police department for a reference.
 
“The Chief’s in a meeting. I’ll have him call you.”
 
I left a little deflated, but not ready to give up. I figured if he didn’t call within a reasonable amount of time, I’d go back. You have to be persistent. Right?
 
We went to lunch at Cowan’s, a local restaurant that was on my list to visit. By now, my engine was working on all cylinders. I was soaking in the atmosphere, taking photos, and making notes. In the middle of the meal, my phone rings. It’s the police chief. Fist pump.
 
“Chief, thanks for calling me back.”
 
“I understand you’re a writer.” A gruff voice sounded in my ear.
 
“I am. I’m doing a series of murder mysteries set in Washington and I’d like a contact with someone in your department to help me get my facts straight.”
 
“We don’t have murders in our town.”
 
I pictured him eating rocks for breakfast. I began to sweat. “Well, you will now.” A nervous chuckle from me. “At least three.”
 
“I guess I better give you a detective then.”
 
“I’d appreciate it. If he’s able to do it. I mean, if he has the time.”
 
“He’ll do it if I tell him to.”
 
“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.”
 
Click.
 
I returned to the table and my husband looked at me.
 
“Well?”
 
“He’s assigning a detective as my contact.”
 
“That’s great. Who is he?”
 
“I don’t know. He didn’t say.”
 
My husband and I went home, and I started the first book, The Case of the Innocent Husband. As I wrote, I jotted questions for my detective contact—who I still hadn’t heard from. One day, I decided to call the police department. Boy, was I nervous. Had the Chief kept his word? When I explained who I was, they put me through to Detective Steve Sitzes. It turned out he was waiting for me to call him!
 
We hit it off right away, and he was able to help me with any question I asked him. I still made mistakes, but that was entirely me.
 
Three years, and two more books, The Case of Mistaken Identity and The Case of the Stolen Memories, later Les and I were back in Washington for the Missouri Book Festival and our third research trip. We made an appointment with now Lieutenant Sitzes to meet him at the police station to chat and I had a signed copy of Stolen Memories, my latest book, for him.
 
“You know, I’m not saying you had anything to do with this or anything, but …” Lt. Sitzes smirked at me. “Ever since you started writing your books we’ve had four homicides in three years. We hadn’t had one in ten years before that.” 
 
What could I say? I warned them before I started. 
The Case of the Stolen Memories

It’s the beginning of a new year and Private Investigator Mackenzie Love resolves to get in better shape. But after only one week of walking before work she interrupts a burglary in progress and ends up in the middle of a murder case. 
Detective Jake Sanders, the man Mac’s dating, is assigned to the murder, and Mac along with her partners Samantha Majors and Ms. Prudence Freebody are hired to find the memorabilia stolen from the time capsule in Rennick Park. The two cases intertwine and Mac finds herself once more on the wrong end of a gun! 
Can Mac and Jake find the killer and the stolen property before the killer finds them? Deborah Sprinkle is a retired chemistry teacher turned award-winning author with seven books to her name and more on the way. All romantic suspense and mysteries. She lives in Memphis with her wonderful husband, her greatest fan.  Connect with Deborah at https://authordeborahsprinkle.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/deborah.sprinkle.5/

Special Ornaments

The Christmas trees decorated by theme are beautiful. Their big fluffy bows and color-coordinated ornaments are stunning. But that's not the kind of Christmas tree I want.
Granted, I also don't want one like I described in the first chapter of Mama Dated Santa, where all the ornaments are falling apart, tinsel is here and there, and some of the branches are in the wrong slot. Yeah, no. Thanks.
There's something special about the tree we put up each year--and not because it's twenty years old (the one we bought our very first Christmas when we barely had any room to put a tree up). No, it's because the ornaments hold so many memories and reminisces. We have THREE first Christmas ornaments. My mom forgot she had already purchased one for us and so she picked up a second. They're pictured above. And then the little snowman made of sand dollars is from our honeymoon on St. Simon's Island. Talk about sweet memories.
The First Christmas ornament plays a roll in my story in A Match Made at Christmas. When she finds the ornament on the floor, it leads to the discovery of what Andy left behind when he flew to spend Christmas with his dad. But it also reminds her of what she's missing by them being apart.
We have ornaments for when our children were born. When we bought our first house. Different places we've lived. And we can't forget all the handmade ornaments, proudly displayed by my children.
Over the last few years, we've also added several bookish ornaments. So much fun. Because books play a huge role in our lives too. How can we leave them out of Christmas?
Which ornaments are extra-special for you? Do you have a First Christmas Ornament or bookish ornament you're extra fond of?

Author Interview: Linda Dindzans

Today, I'm thrilled to introduce you to an author I've grown close to over the last year. First, by editing her first novel, a gorgeous Biblical fiction woven around the Samaritan woman and the Good Samaritan. Second, when we got to meet in person last month at ScrivCon. You guys! She's so much fun and I know you're going to love her too. Without further ado, let's chat with Linda Dindzans. Linda, what inspired you to give up your scalpel and take up a pen?

Since childhood I have been an avid reader of all genres, but particularly drawn to historical and biblical fiction. I’ve also been fascinated with the study of the Bible and facilitated and taught Bible studies. Prior to my retirement I had a story coming to me that would not let go. I found myself writing chapters in my head. That story grew, became a trilogy and got out of control. I set it aside but one day will pick it up again.
 
At first, I planned to take a sabbatical to write, but after a couple of months I realized that this was retirement–– a new calling, a new direction.
 If you had asked me at the beginning how long it would take me to write a book, I would have guessed about two years. I was either very naive or a little bit arrogant. Probably both.
Before I felt I had mastered the level of writing I was willing to submit, my writing journey was twelve years to publication and involved many writer’s conferences, online courses, critique groups and coaching. 
How does a doctor become an author of Biblical fiction?

Many people ask me if I miss medicine. I can honestly say that I loved it when I was practicing, but when I stopped I felt the “anointing had lifted” and shockingly, I did not miss medicine at all. Though when we are traveling and someone  has a medical emergency, my husband and I both click into “doctor mode.”
 
When deciding what genre to write, what made you choose Biblical fiction?
​
Biblical fiction was what was coming to me. As I was learning the craft of writing, I had several people say that I was a good writer, but perhaps I should try to break in with a genre that was more in demand. For now, this is the genre I believe I am called to write. For instance, I admire romance writers but am convinced I don’t have a romance in me. You never know though. God has a sense of humor. He may one day call me to write a romance… beats and all.
 
What is the hardest thing you've discovered in writing your stories?
​
Trying to make sure I have dug deep to the character’s truth. I am a plot-driven writer, but adding depth of character makes the story ring true!
Also, Biblical fiction requires research, and I make every effort to research carefully and thoroughly––but there will always be the fact that “you don’t know what you don’t know”.  This is where critique partners and beta readers are invaluable and may catch things. Let me give you an example. Writing this next book, I have a character that is threatened with stoning. Mesu Andrews was critiquing a chapter for me during a fiction intensive she taught at Florida Christian Writers Conference 2023. She wrote in the margin research methods of stoning. Huh?! Didn’t people just take the victim outside the city walls and throw rocks? Turns out there were two methods. Fortunately, I was warned before a mistake got incorporated into a book.
So, this is the moment when I pray for grace and hope my “mistakes” don’t take the reader out of the story.
 
What is one of the most interesting facts you've discovered when doing research?

The phrase “there was a certain man” was like “once upon a time” to the first century listener. But also, many scholars believe it was an indication to the audience that Jesus was about to tell a real story based on a real person.
 
Now that you've released your first book, what is one thing you're most surprised about in being an author?
 
#1 Several personal stories from friends of how my book has impacted readers they know. It is so encouraging to get this feedback!
#2 How much work a book launch entails. How much the continued promotion on social media matters. How much learning and time  is involved in the non-writing aspects of being an author.
 
Does your medical history ever show up in your writing?

Yes. I’ve always been fascinated with the history of medicine and there are a couple of  scenes in A Certain Man where medical emergencies are involved.
 
Can you give us a sneak peek into what you're working on next?
​
I am working on Book 2 of  A Certain Future series. This book is entitled A Certain Mercy. While there are new main characters, certainly characters from the first book will be present, and some of their loose ends resolved. A peek into my Google search––were there arenas in ancient Jerusalem? Hippodromes? Were Jews ever gladiators?
You just never know what rabbit holes research will take you down.
 
Last but not least, what is one interesting fact about you that very few people know?

I was a violinist through college. While at Harvard I played with both the small student-conducted  Bach Society orchestra and the large Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra. Leonard Bernstein was Norton Professor of Poetry  and gave lectures at Harvard. Yo-yo Ma, concert cellist, was a member of my class. I had the privilege of performing as an orchestra member with them both.
 
I was also a cox’n for crew for two years. Think Boys in the Boat. LOL

Okay, that is too cool! I hope if you ever quit Biblical fiction, you'll write a story about a violin-playing cox'n. ;)
Readers, keep reading for more information about her beautiful novel and how to keep in touch with Linda. She's obviously got great things coming down the road!
A Certain Man

Mara is a young Samaritan beginning to discover her love for Samuel—and his for her. Soon she will be deemed mature enough to marry. Her hopes are dashed when her greedy father brokers a match with the cruel son of the wealthy High Priest of Shechem. When her loathsome betrothed is killed, her beloved Samuel must run for his life. Mara and Samuel struggle to survive and reunite during the treacherous and scandalous times of the Bible under the merciless rule of Rome.
Along the way, they are entangled within the snares of such notable figures as King Herod, Herodias, Pontius Pilate, Caiaphas, and Salome.
The heartrending tales of Mara and Samuel are interwoven with their desperate love story. Before either meets Yeshua the Nazarene face to face. Before He sets the political, religious, and spiritual landscape on fire. And before either Mara or Samuel are immortalized in the gospels.

 Linda Dindzans, M.D. is a writer with the heart of a healer. She offers readers stories of redemption and restoration. And her compelling characters inhabit the treacherous times of the Bible. But Linda believes there is nothing new under the sun. The hopes and struggles of her cast of characters still speak to hearts today. Yet only a profound encounter with the Son transforms her characters from victims to victors.
 
Linda is a retired ENT surgeon with a longstanding fascination with God’s Word and commitment to in-depth Bible study. She has been a guest speaker at medical conferences, national and regional Christian conferences, and a facilitator for church and home Bible studies.
 She is grateful for this time to lay down her scalpel and pick up her pen as she follows a call to write.
 
During her free time, Linda can be found on the pickleball court. She has no aspirations to win a trophy but remains content to supply the comic relief.
 
Linda and her husband, a fellow physician, have been blessed with three adult children, a son-in-law, a daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren. Wisconsin is home, but they travel across the world  enjoying photography, birdwatching, and singing in choirs.

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Website: lindadindzans.com

The Faces Behind the Writing

Have you ever wondered what it's really like to go to a Writers' Conference? Well, let me tell you.
It's a blast! Especially if you're like me and love to be around people. I LOVE to be around people. Especially people who I love.
And a room full of authors is definitely full of people I love.
But a lot of these people were extra special to me because we've worked together either as collaborators in a collection or as editor/author. And quite a few of them I had never met in real life.
So, let me tell you. Hugs abounded. Even my friend Heather Greer, who claims to not like hugs, gave me at least six while we were together over three days. Bliss!
That's right. I'm a people person and a hugger too. 
Of course, I had my favorite people around me too. Heather Greer, Erin Howard, Regina Merrick, Sarah Anne Crouch, Rachel Herod, Jennifer Burrows, and Linda Fulkerson. I'd met all of those in real life and they're some of my best friends.
This trip, I got to see Tonya Ashley (her books are so sweet, y'all!) for the first time in years. I also met in real life for the first time too many to count, but of the ones I have edited, Jenny Carlisle, Linda Dindzans, Terri Wangard, Donna Wichelman, Christina Rost, and Lori DeJong. Y'all! My heart is so full.
I'd seen them on screen at zoom meetings. We'd talked quite a bit through editing and emails. But to be in the same room was just a sneak of what heaven will be. We're too spread out right now!
So, if you've ever wondered what it's like when a bunch of authors get together. Let's just say, those like me are going around hugging and chatting. Others are chatting a bit with those nearest them because they're more introverted. And we all make fun comments about books and reading and take selfies together.
These are some of the faces behind the books. And I couldn't be more delighted to call them friends.
Have you ever hung out with a bunch of authors before? Did any of this surprise you?