Suzanne Woods Fisher's Blog, page 20
February 22, 2018
Nantucket Trivia: Day Four
Join us this entire week as we share trivia, fun, and giveaways to celebrate the release of Phoebe’s Light!
Most houses in Nantucket have steps hugging the house, positioned sideways, instead of leading to the sideway. Any idea why? And do you know these steps are called?
Think you know the answer? For a chance to win a copy of Phoebe’s Light and a $5 Starbucks gift card, fill out the answer in the Rafflecopter. Winner (and answer) will be announced on tomorrow’s post! Good luck!
Yesterday’s answer: A watering fountain for horses.
Congratulation to yesterday’s winner Rebecca Carroll. Please e-mail my assistant Christen (christenkrumm@gmail.com) with your mailing address!
More about Phoebe’s Light
Phoebe Starbuck has always adjusted her sails and rudder to the whims of her father. Now, for the first time, she’s doing what she wants to do: marrying Captain Phineas Foulger and sailing far away from Nantucket. As she leaves on her grand adventure, her father gives her two gifts, both of which Phoebe sees little need for. The first is an old sheepskin journal from Great Mary, her highly revered great-grandmother. The other is a “minder” on the whaling ship in the form of cooper Matthew Mitchell, a man whom she loathes.
Soon Phoebe discovers that life at sea is no easier than life on land. Lonely, seasick, and disillusioned, she turns the pages of Great Mary’s journal and finds herself drawn into the life of this noble woman. To Phoebe’s shock, her great-grandmother has left a secret behind that carries repercussions for everyone aboard the ship, especially her husband the captain and her shadow the cooper. This story within a story catapults Phoebe into seeing her life in an entirely new way–just in time.
In this brand-new series, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher brings her signature twists and turns to bear on a fascinating new faith community: the Quakers of colonial-era Nantucket Island.
To learn more, and to purchase a copy, CLICK HERE
Are you new here? You might want to subscribe to my email updates, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, or Instagram.
February 21, 2018
Nantucket Trivia: Day Three
Join us this week as we share trivia, fun, and giveaways to celebrate the release of Phoebe’s Light!
This is an iconic picture of Nantucket Island’s cobblestoned Main Street. But do you know what the lantern post with the flowers was once used for?
Think you know the answer? For a chance to win a copy of Phoebe’s Light and a $5 Starbucks gift card, fill out the answer in the Rafflecopter. Winner (and answer) will be announced on tomorrow’s post! Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Yesterday’s Answer: This plaque is called a “fire mark.” They were used to identify which house had paid up their fire insurance.Congratulation to yesterday’s winner Shaun Renee Paulsen. Please e-mail my assistant Christen (christenkrumm@gmail.com) with your mailing address!
More about Phoebe’s Light
Phoebe Starbuck has always adjusted her sails and rudder to the whims of her father. Now, for the first time, she’s doing what she wants to do: marrying Captain Phineas Foulger and sailing far away from Nantucket. As she leaves on her grand adventure, her father gives her two gifts, both of which Phoebe sees little need for. The first is an old sheepskin journal from Great Mary, her highly revered great-grandmother. The other is a “minder” on the whaling ship in the form of cooper Matthew Mitchell, a man whom she loathes.
Soon Phoebe discovers that life at sea is no easier than life on land. Lonely, seasick, and disillusioned, she turns the pages of Great Mary’s journal and finds herself drawn into the life of this noble woman. To Phoebe’s shock, her great-grandmother has left a secret behind that carries repercussions for everyone aboard the ship, especially her husband the captain and her shadow the cooper. This story within a story catapults Phoebe into seeing her life in an entirely new way–just in time.
In this brand-new series, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher brings her signature twists and turns to bear on a fascinating new faith community: the Quakers of colonial-era Nantucket Island.
To learn more, and to purchase a copy, CLICK HERE
Are you new here? You might want to subscribe to my email updates, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, or Instagram.
February 20, 2018
Nantucket Trivia: Day Two
Join us for this week as we share trivia, fun, and giveaways to celebrate the release of Phoebe’s Light!
Any idea what this cast iron plaque signifies?
Think you know the answer? For a chance to win a copy of Phoebe’s Light and a $5 Starbucks gift card, fill out the answer in the Rafflecopter. Winner (and answer) will be announced on tomorrow’s post! Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Yesterday’s answer: It’s a “mortgage button.” After a mortgage was paid off, the papers were burned and ashes were placed in a drilled out hole on a newel post, capped with a scrimshaw button.Congratulation to our first winner J.E. Grace. Please e-mail my assistant Christen (christenkrumm@gmail.com) with your mailing address!
More about Phoebe’s Light
Phoebe Starbuck has always adjusted her sails and rudder to the whims of her father. Now, for the first time, she’s doing what she wants to do: marrying Captain Phineas Foulger and sailing far away from Nantucket. As she leaves on her grand adventure, her father gives her two gifts, both of which Phoebe sees little need for. The first is an old sheepskin journal from Great Mary, her highly revered great-grandmother. The other is a “minder” on the whaling ship in the form of cooper Matthew Mitchell, a man whom she loathes.
Soon Phoebe discovers that life at sea is no easier than life on land. Lonely, seasick, and disillusioned, she turns the pages of Great Mary’s journal and finds herself drawn into the life of this noble woman. To Phoebe’s shock, her great-grandmother has left a secret behind that carries repercussions for everyone aboard the ship, especially her husband the captain and her shadow the cooper. This story within a story catapults Phoebe into seeing her life in an entirely new way–just in time.
In this brand-new series, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher brings her signature twists and turns to bear on a fascinating new faith community: the Quakers of colonial-era Nantucket Island.
To learn more, and to purchase a copy, CLICK HERE
Are you new here? You might want to subscribe to my email updates, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, or Instagram.
February 19, 2018
Nantucket Trivia: Day One
Join us for this week as we share trivia, fun, and giveaways to celebrate the release of Phoebe’s Light!
Do you know what this white piece on the newel post is called? Better still, do you know what it symbolizes?
Think you know the answer? For a chance to win a copy of Phoebe’s Light and a $5 Starbucks gift card, fill out the answer in the Rafflecopter. Winner (and answer) will be announced on tomorrow’s post! Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Congratulation to our first winner Jill Ivy. Please e-mail my assistant Christen (christenkrumm@gmail.com) with your mailing address!
More about Phoebe’s Light
Phoebe Starbuck has always adjusted her sails and rudder to the whims of her father. Now, for the first time, she’s doing what she wants to do: marrying Captain Phineas Foulger and sailing far away from Nantucket. As she leaves on her grand adventure, her father gives her two gifts, both of which Phoebe sees little need for. The first is an old sheepskin journal from Great Mary, her highly revered great-grandmother. The other is a “minder” on the whaling ship in the form of cooper Matthew Mitchell, a man whom she loathes.
Soon Phoebe discovers that life at sea is no easier than life on land. Lonely, seasick, and disillusioned, she turns the pages of Great Mary’s journal and finds herself drawn into the life of this noble woman. To Phoebe’s shock, her great-grandmother has left a secret behind that carries repercussions for everyone aboard the ship, especially her husband the captain and her shadow the cooper. This story within a story catapults Phoebe into seeing her life in an entirely new way–just in time.
In this brand-new series, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher brings her signature twists and turns to bear on a fascinating new faith community: the Quakers of colonial-era Nantucket Island.
To learn more, and to purchase a copy, CLICK HERE
Are you new here? Consider yourself invited to subscribe to my email updates, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, or Instagram.
February 16, 2018
Welcome to Nantucket Trivia
There’s something about Nantucket Island that’s always called to me. My mom had started my love affair with Nantucket with stories of visits to the island as a little girl in the 1930s. She had two cherished Nantucket lighthouse baskets—little round purses with an oval of carved scrimshaw embellishing the tops. In the late 1980s, I talked my sister and parents into a getaway visit to Nantucket. My first visit!
Oh, and it did not disappoint. It was more beautiful than I could’ve imagined. Even the air. Scented with heady rosa rugosas and nose-curling ocean salt.
But there was something else that stirred my heart for this sandy island, thirty miles out to sea. It was the island’s dramatic and significant history. Certainly, the architecture has been well preserved. But I could do more than see its history. I could feel it.
Early one morning, just after the sun rose, I walked down Centre Street, nicknamed affectionately as Petticoat Row. Nantucket women stepped up to run local businesses while their sailing husbands were out to sea for years at a time…hence the name Petticoat Row. There were stories of strong and courageous women here, just waiting to be told. Waiting for me to get my writing career launched.
That’s when the spark ignited for the ‘Nantucket Legacy’ series, starting with Phoebe’s Light. It took me…well, a few decades…but the stories are now written, waiting for you to slip back history’s curtain and discover this remarkable place.
Join us next week for fun and trivia. You can win copies of Phoebe’s Light and Starbucks gift cards. PLUS… everyone who participates will be entered to win an iPad mini at the end of the Trivia week! Winners will be announced daily, and the iPad winner will be announced on February 27th. And good Luck!
More about Phoebe’s Light
Phoebe Starbuck has always adjusted her sails and rudder to the whims of her father. Now, for the first time, she’s doing what she wants to do: marrying Captain Phineas Foulger and sailing far away from Nantucket. As she leaves on her grand adventure, her father gives her two gifts, both of which Phoebe sees little need for. The first is an old sheepskin journal from Great Mary, her highly revered great-grandmother. The other is a “minder” on the whaling ship in the form of cooper Matthew Mitchell, a man whom she loathes.
Soon Phoebe discovers that life at sea is no easier than life on land. Lonely, seasick, and disillusioned, she turns the pages of Great Mary’s journal and finds herself drawn into the life of this noble woman. To Phoebe’s shock, her great-grandmother has left a secret behind that carries repercussions for everyone aboard the ship, especially her husband the captain and her shadow the cooper. This story within a story catapults Phoebe into seeing her life in an entirely new way–just in time.
In this brand-new series, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher brings her signature twists and turns to bear on a fascinating new faith community: the Quakers of colonial-era Nantucket Island.
To learn more, and to purchase a copy, CLICK HERE
Are you new here? Consider yourself invited to subscribe to my email updates, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, or Instagram.
February 14, 2018
Coffee Break
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Family Fiction has a reader poll story you might enjoy: “35 Essential Christian Romance Authors.” Click here to jump to it. See if your favorites are on the list! Most of mine are.
And have a wonderful Valentine’s Day, whether it’s romantic or not. You are loved!
February 12, 2018
Author Spotlight with Jane Kirkpatrick
Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Jane Kirkpatrick’s book, “All She Left Behind.” Winner will be announced in the next Author Spotlight feature. Congratulations to Mallori R. Norris for winning Patricia Bradley’s book, “Justice Buried.” Please email my assistant christenkrumm {at} gmail {dot} com to claim your prize.
Based on true events, award-winning author Jane Kirkpatrick uses engaging storytelling to relay the intriguing account of Jennie Pickett, a young woman who dreams of practicing medicine in Oregon. Already well-versed in the natural healing properties of herbs and oils, Jennie longs to become a doctor but the Oregon frontier of the 1870s doesn’t approve of women attending medical school.
To support herself and her son, Jennie cares for an elderly woman using skills she has developed on her own. When her patient dies, Jennie discovers that her heart has become entangled with the woman’s widowed husband, a man many years her senior. Their unlikely romance may lead her to her ultimate goal—but the road will be winding and the way forward will not always be clear. Will Jennie find shelter in life’s storms? Will she discover where healing truly lives?
Jane Kirkpatrick invites readers to leave behind their preconceived notions about love and life as they, along with Jennie, discover that dreams may be deferred—but they never really die.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I live in Central Oregon, which is the high desert part of the state. We get very little rain, but have snow instead in the winter. I wrote a blog piece about my adopted state that readers might enjoy, http://annettesnyder.blogspot.com/.
I grew up in Wisconsin and graduated from the University of Wisconsin Madison in Communications and Public Address and worked in public relations and social services for awhile. I then went back to school to become a clinical social worker. After I graduated, I came to Oregon in the 1970s to live closer to my sister and her family and worked in the disabilities field. I met my husband of 40 years in Oregon. He had three children from a precious marriage so I became a step-mom!
Eventually, I became the director of a mental health clinic until my husband and I decided to leave and move to a remote ranch. We have two spoiled dogs. Through our church, I’m also involved in a project in partnership with the Batwa people of Burundi. I went to Burundi in 2015 as we began this partnership and we are hoping to go back in 2018.
Do you have a day job as well? If so, what is it?
I wrote most of my earlier novels while working as a mental health specialist on an Indian Reservation, but now I am “retired” and my day job is looking after my 87 year old husband who gets into amazing scrapes like falling down a sage-brushed covered ridge while he was deer hunting! It’s really a full time job with that guy!
When did you start writing your first book?
My first book was a memoir about the decision for my husband and I to leave suburbia and our jobs and move to what I called the “rattlesnake and rock ranch.” I wrote letters about our progress on this remote place, which was seven miles from our mailbox. One friend said that when they got my letters they’d turn off the TV and read them out-loud after supper because they were like a chapter in a book. I thought maybe I could write a book about people following their heart even when others questioned their direction. That book became Homestead and the rest is history.
How did you choose the genre you write in? Or did the genre choose you?
It really chose me. My novel life began with an effort to write a biography about a historical woman, Jane Sherar. As a young reader, biographies of women really inspired me. But when I tried to find out about her, I could only find some census data and her obituary. I was able to find out all kinds of things about her husband, brother, and father. So I took a risk and decided to try my hand at fiction. Virginia Woolf wrote that “women’s history must be invented…both uncovered and made up.” That’s how writing historical novels about actual women came to be my thing.
Does writing energize you or exhaust you?
It energizes me! I lose track of time and am always amazed when I look at the clock on my computer screen and think “I’ll just finish this paragraph and then I’ll break for lunch” and when I look again a couple of hours have passed. As I get closer to the end of a book, I wake up earlier and earlier to finish the work. I need blocks of time afterwards to relax, read, and walk with my dogs, but it is the act of writing and living in another world that is the richness of my days. I actually think of writing as praying. I am never less alone than when I’m writing despite people saying that writing is a solitary act.
Do you believe in writer’s block?
I don’t. There are days when I feel more productive than others. And I have a few tricks I use now to keep me “staying in the room.” I actually teach a writing class called “Staying in the room”, which offers tips for writers to keep seated rather than find reasons to clean the grout or floss their teeth. One of my tricks is that I usually end my work in the middle of a sentence. That way when I come in the next day, I always have a place to start right in.
Do you create an outline before you begin? Do you have the end in mind, or do you just wait and see where the story takes you?
I don’t really write an outline, but I have a practice that is recommended in a book called Structuring Your Novel by Meredith and Fitzgerald. It asks writers to answer three questions before they begin to write. 1) What is this Story about? 2) What is my attitude toward this story? 3) What is my purpose in writing this story? I work long hours on answering those three questions. It might take four to five pages for each answer, but I try to get each down to one sentence. I print these out stick them that at the top of my computer. Then I start to write. And when I get to that muddle in the middle and wonder why I ever thought I could write this book, I look at those three answers and remind myself about why I’m writing the story. I don’t always know where the story will end but I usually have an idea of how I hope a reader will feel at the end.
What kind of research do you do? How long do you spend researching before beginning a book? I explore census records, create genealogy charts, and I try to contact descendants to interview them and hear their stories. I also form a timeline of important events for my main character, asking why she was there, what had just happened, what else was happening in the world then, did my character know about these events, and how long it took for the news to reach the west.
For my latest book, All She Left Behind, I needed to know how people became doctors. Plus, I needed to research fashion, transportation, and living conditions. I always have to start writing before I think I should. Having a deadline to meet keeps me from just wandering off in research. In revisions, I also take out a lot of the detail of research as it slows the story down. But I do love research.
Are you part of a community of authors? If so, how has it helped you?
I am a part of Central Oregon Author’s Guild, Oregon Christian Writers, Women Writing the West and Author’s Guild. And I belong to the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association as an author. I’m also part of some on-line groups of authors and am grateful for access to the skills of these many-published authors.
Early on, it was Women Writing the West that provided a “tribe” for me, other people who understood my passion for stories about historical women told authentically. They championed my efforts as a young writer, offered research material. We have a once a year conference with panels that enrich my skills. And they provided authors as possible endorsers and suggestions for how to market.
When I learned about Oregon Christian Writers and other on-line sources, I saw the value of supporting each other and encouraging colleagues as writers. I have tried to extend that to other authors, reading for endorsement, making suggestions about finding agents and encouraging. I think that’s the biggest thing writer groups can do: encourage. We all need it no matter how many books we’re written. Being involved in a trade show association helps me learn what booksellers need and to appreciate their efforts when they give real-estate (shelf-space) to my books.
Join author @JaneKirkpatrick on this week’s #AuthorSpotlight with @SuzanneWFisher + enter to win a…
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Jane Kirkpatrick is the New York Times and CBA bestselling author of more than thirty books, including A Light in the Wilderness, The Memory Weaver, This Road We Traveled, and A Sweetness to the Soul, which won the prestigious Wrangler Award from the Western Heritage Center. Her works have been finalists for the Christy Award, Spur Award, Oregon Book Award, and Reader’s Choice awards, and have won the WILLA Literary Award, USABestBooks, the Carol Award for Historical Fiction, and the 2016 Will Rogers Medallion Award. Jane lives in Central Oregon with her husband, Jerry.
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February 7, 2018
Coffee Break
Yesterday, I sent out a newsletter to let my readers know that my mom passed away, very unexpectedly, last weekend. She took a nap on Saturday afternoon and never woke up–a sweet and gentle passing. The last phone conversation we’d had ended with an “I love you.” It never dawned on me that those would be the last words we’d say to each other. I’m so so glad.
A reader, Carolyn from Indiana, responded with a beautiful story about her own family. I asked her if I could share it with you, and she was gracious to answer with a speedy yes!
I can totally relate to telling your love ones how much you love them. When my children were younger I taught them to make sure that they said “I Love You” at the end of every telephone conversation. One day I heard my middle child and youngest getting snippy with each other on the phone, but I smiled when I heard them say “I Love You” before they end their phone call. My middle son got teased by a couple of his friends when he told me that he loved me on the phone. He gentle told them that if anything ever happen to him he wanted to make sure he knew that he loved me. In fact his friends stated to follow his example.
In our family we tell each other we love them each night before we go to bed, when we leave the house, at end of phone calls and even text messages.
Isn’t that a wonderful example? To all of us!
I’d love to hear more stories like Carolyn R’s. There’s so much to learn from those who are doing it right. We might not be doing everything right, but we do get some things right. Please share in comments!
February 5, 2018
Author Spotlight with Patricia Bradley
Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Patricia Bradley’s newest book, “Justice Buried.” Winner will be announced in the next Author Spotlight feature. Congratulations to Connie Saunders for winning Thomas Locke’s book, “The Golden Vial.” Please email my assistant christenkrumm {at} gmail {dot} com to claim your prize.
Award-winning author Patricia Bradley will thrill readers with her newest Memphis Cold Case novel, Justice Buried. Crackling with romantic tension and laced with intrigue, this suspenseful story will keep readers guessing—and looking over their shoulders.
Kelsey Allen is working hard to get her security consulting business up and running. Her goal is to show business owners their vulnerability to thieves. When she is hired by the Pink Palace Museum to test their security weaknesses, Kelsey is ecstatic. But when her investigation turns from theft to murder, she realizes she is out of her league and possibly in danger. When Detective Hollister is called in to help investigate the case, Kelsey may find that he is the biggest threat—to her heart.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I live in Northeast Mississippi with my rescue kitty, Suzy and have been dating the same guy for over nineteen years. Yes, I see the grin and the question on your face. Nineteen years? Why? Why not? We talked about getting married a few times, but I’m so busy and hyper (ADHD) I drive him crazy and he has to have a break every day. Besides, like my mother said, “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.” AND I have control of the remote.
Do you have a day job as well? If so, what is it?
I no longer have a day job and write full time. Before going full time, I worked in abstinence education, and co-wrote an abstinence curriculum. You don’t often work in a field where a student introduces you to a parent as the “sex lady”.
When did you start writing your first book?
Over twenty years ago, then I put it in a drawer and began working in the abstinence field. About eleven years later, I started working on it again, took a few workshops and classes and rewrote the whole thing. About the only thing that didn’t change was my hero’s name.
How did you choose the genre you write in? Or did the genre choose you?
I’ve always read mysteries, starting with Nancy Drew. And I like romance, so it seemed natural to combine the two. I’ve tried my hand at sweet romance, but missed the mystery part of the story.
Does writing energize you or exhaust you?
A little bit of both. There’s no high quite like getting the movie running through my head to the computer screen. But sitting for long hours often does me in.
Do you believe in writer’s block?
Once I would have said no, but a few times lately I’ve run against the wall when my characters won’t talk to me. That happened with the last book I turned in. It has a psychopath as a POV character and I had trouble getting into that character’s head. Once I understood how a psychopath thinks, the story started moving again.
Do you create an outline before you begin? Do you have the end in mind, or do you just wait and see where the story takes you?
I don’t outline, but I do have to know certain things, like what will propel the character out of Act 1 into Act 2. I have to know what the crime is and not only why it happened, but also why it happened at this particular time. What’s the trigger? I generally know how the story will end, but have been surprised more than once at who the murderer is.
What kind of research do you do? How long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
Some things I research before I start writing, but a lot of my research happens as I write the book. I’ve researched everything from explosives to using insulin as a murder weapon. I’ve even researched what time sunrise or sunset occurs for the time of year the scene is set in.
I’ve been known to blow up a car (on paper) and sometimes my villains commit murder in unusual ways. Once a nurse who supplies me with what I need to know about medical situations ask if I ever thought about just shooting someone. And I answered back: What fun would that be?
Are you part of a community of authors? If so, how has it helped you?
I have many people to thank for helping me reach my publishing goals. My critique group, Johnnie Alexander, Renee Osborn, and Chandra Smith encouraged me, but they were great at catching my errors or pointing out when something didn’t work. When we first started hanging out together, none of us were published, and now three of us are. Renee has two school-age children and has put her writing aside for the time being, but I have no doubt that she will also be published.
And then there is Susan May Warren and Rachel Hauck. Going to their Deep Thinker Retreats is the best thing I ever did. It was there that I learned about showing instead of telling and all the other things that make a story great.
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Patricia Bradley is the author of Justice Delayed, as well as the Logan Point series. Bradley won an Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award in Suspense, was a finalist for the Genesis Award, won a Daphne du Maurier Award, and won a Touched by Love Award. Bradley is cofounder of Aiming for Healthy Families, Inc., and she is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. Bradley makes her home in Mississippi.
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January 31, 2018
Coffee Break
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the novel Christy by Catherine Marshall. It’s a book that impacted Christian fiction in a powerful way…kind of kicked it into place. There’s been a lot of fanfare to celebrate Christy’s birthday–facebook party, and a bunch of author testimonials, like the awkward one below.
(Warning: Filming myself makes me CRAZY. A lot of people love selfie-stuff…but I’m not one of them! So please ignore how self-conscious I look. That’s exactly how I felt!):
Enough about me! What about you? Have you read Christy? And if so, how did the story affect you? Please share! In fact, if you comment below with your Christy memory, you’ll be entered into a $10 Barnes & Noble gift card giveaway. Winner announced next Wednesday!
