Getting to Know Darlene Franklin
Tell us
about your epiphany moment when you decided you were going to seriously pursue
writing and eventually publication.
In the months following my separation from my
husband, God kept showing verses after verses that gave me comfort and courage.
One day I picked up a pen and wrote a devotional about one of those verses.
From that day on, I was driven to write. Over the years, my passion switched to
fiction, but I have always written.
Which of your books (published or upcoming) has been the most fun for
you to write and which character is your favorite? Why?
The same book can be
named for both parts of your question: A
Bride’s Rogue in Roma, Texas. Character is “Old Obie,” a minor character who
has a surprising secret. I loved learning more steamboats; writing about a
gambling charmer of a gambler was fun; and pilot Old Obie was both sad and wise
at the same time.
Which character
in your new release most interested you while you wrote? Why?
My heroine’s oldest daughter, Betty, drew me in. A senior in high
school, Betty grew into adulthood early because of the war. She could have
settled for a fun final year and dorm life at college; instead, she fought for
her right to fight the war. (World War II)
How do you choose the settings for your stories?
How do you choose the settings for your stories?
Sometimes the settings choose me. My Maple Notch series began with an
opportunity to write three historical books set in the state of Vermont. Texas
is a popular state among readers, so I’ve written several books set in Texas.
Other times, I get more choice. I set Calico Brides in Kansas because I wanted a prairie setting and I loved the alliteration of “Calico, Kansas.” I’ve lived a long time in both Oklahoma and Colorado, so I have written several books set in those locations as well.
Other times, I get more choice. I set Calico Brides in Kansas because I wanted a prairie setting and I loved the alliteration of “Calico, Kansas.” I’ve lived a long time in both Oklahoma and Colorado, so I have written several books set in those locations as well.
What is
the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
One of the more
unusual things was a trip I made by bus—from Mexico City to Maine. I had a lot
of fun on that trip.
Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
My son gave me a Nook reader for my last birthday. In my search for
inexpensive books, I subscribed to a daily email of free-and-99 cent books.
Categories? I started with my favorites, mystery/thrillers and romance. From
there I went to women’s fiction and sci-fi/fantasy. Recently I also added
memoirs and general nonfiction. I’ve acquired 45 books and counting . . .
What is something most people would not know about you?
What is something most people would not know about you?
I studied Latin for a year in high school. I loved it, but I loved
Spanish more.
Are there spiritual themes you like to write about?
My tagline is “writing at the crossroads of love and grace.” I put my
characters in situations where they deal with trauma like hurricanes and death
or where they have difficult choices to make. My bottom line truth is that God
is always there and He always loves them, no matter what.
What lesson is the Lord teaching you right now or
recently taught you?
I don’t know yet. . .I just know I’m not my usual self lately and people are telling me something’s wrong. Perhaps it’s a matter of trusting more, of claiming my own tagline for myself!
When is your next book due out and can you
tell us about it?
Where can we find you on the internet?
Out this year already: Home front Dreams and New
England Romance Collection.
Twitter: @darlenefranklin
Darlene is giving away a copy of her book, Homefront Dreams. Answer
Darlene’s question and leave your email address for us to contact you in case
of a win.
For those of you who have read my books before—what parts do you like
the best?
For those who haven’t read my books before: Tell me about the Christian
book which touched you the most—and describe how it affected you.
Thanks!
Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void
where prohibited by law; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning
depend upon the number of participants. No purchase is necessary and only one
entry per post. Winner will be selected next week-end and posted here on
Monday, February 17. You must be 18 or older to enter. Remember to leave your
email address for contacting you in case of win.
4 comments:
Darlene, I am not familiar with your books so I enjoyed this post. I look forward to reading your novels in the future.
I usually find myself Blessed by many books but the one I just finished brought me to tears many times. It is" One Light Still Shines" by Marie Monville.
It is how God's grace brought healing, forgiveness, strength to overcome unimaginable pain after the tragedy of the Amish schoolhouse shooting in Nickel Mines.
This book is about an almost unshakable journey of faith that moves beyond the losses that occurred there to find hope when the world is dark and let God's light shine on all the things we look at instead of the darkness.
While I cried over the circumstances in the book I also was moved to cry over the dark places in my life and to seek God's light in my life. This is a book about love not loss. The love of our Heavenly Father. And I am grateful and blessed by Marie's words to seek the Light. Thank you
mcnuttjem0(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi Jackie,
Thanks for your loving description of the book. The story amazes me and this sounds like a book I should check out.
That does sound like a good book, Jackie. Thanks for stopping by.
I am often touched through books, both fiction and nonfiction. Finding inspiration, encouragement, wisdom, and counsel, as well as so many other things, is such a blessing!
texaggs2000 at gmail dot com
Post a Comment