Shannon here: Donna Schlachter shares an interesting interview plus a chance to win a copy of her Historical, A Pink Lady Thanksgiving along with 3 other titles in my Nov Book Bundle #2. Comment or answer the question in any post dated Nov 18th – 29th to enter. Deadline: Dec 6th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Donna:
- What inspired you to write A Pink Lady Thanksgiving?
I fell in love with Kate and her gutsy spirit in her first book, Kate, and we left Kate and Tom on their way to Oregon City, Oregon, along with her dreams of solving more mysteries. It seemed only fitting she would want to be a Pink Lady, as female operatives of the Pinkerton Agency were referred to.
- How would you describe this book to someone in a 30-second blurb?
Sherlock Holmes meets his female counterpart in the wild west days of the 1870s.
- What genre do you focus on and why?
I love historical fiction, both to read and to write, because I enjoy learning things I didn’t know already.
- Why do you write? What drives you?
Writing is a way for me to express my gratitude to God for giving me second and third and fourth chances, as most of my characters have messed up in some way and need redemption, even if they don’t know it at the start of the story.
- Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
Kate is my main character. She is the runaway daughter of a saloon girl. I chose that name because I had a dear friend who used that nickname.
- What is your work schedule like when you’re writing a book?
I schedule every day to write for two hours, and on my calendar, I make a note of the chapter number. If I don’t achieve it, I know I’ll have more to do the next day. Before and after my writing is accomplished, I have office stuff to do, marketing, Facebook events to prepare for, blog posts to write, and of course, there is always laundry and cleaning. And cats to pet.
- What is the hardest part of being an author? Why?
The hardest part of being an author is the middle of the book, because I am good at ideas and I love to write “The End”, but the middle needs lots of creativity, imagination, and perseverance.
- What’s the best part of your author’s life? Why?
I love talking to readers about books, especially their favorite books.
- What’s one thing your readers should know about you?
Readers should know that I am very justice oriented, meaning that I want my world to be in order, I want the bad guys punished, and I want the good guys to win.
- What’s one unusual fact about you?
I once figure-skated with an Olympian.
- How have you changed or grown as a writer?
I’ve learned that books don’t write themselves. As a coach, I’ve learned we all have the same fears when we sit down to write: fear of the blank page; fear that the words won’t come; fear that when they do flow, they won’t be the right words; fear of not giving the reader a satisfying ending.
- What is your favorite pastime?
Binge-watching television mysteries.
- Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
I have many other historical books, most set in the West, on topics as varied as wagon train travel, the Pony Express, and mail-order brides.
- What are you working on now?
I’m relaunching a book on writing craft, actually combining two into one and updating the links and information. It’s called Writing Between the Lines.
Question for Readers: Have you ever met someone famous? Tell us about it.
Nov Book Bundle #2
Fireflies in Sacred Shadows by Tonya B. Ashley, Historical Romance, print
Fire Between Two Skies by R.F. Whong, Mystery, Advanced Reader Copy
The Broken Trail by Christa MacDonald, Contemporary Romance, print
A Pink Lady Thanksgiving by Donna Schlachter, Christian Historical Fiction, e-book
About Donna: A hybrid author, Donna writes squeaky clean historical and contemporary suspense. She has been published more than 60 times in books; is a member of several writers’ groups; facilitates a critique group; teaches writing classes; and judges in writing contests. She loves history and research, traveling extensively for both, and is an avid oil painter. She is taking all the information she’s learned along the way about the writing and publishing process, and is coaching committed writers eager to tell their story. Learn more & connect:
Donna’s Website Donna’s Facebook Donna’s Bookbub
Donna’s Newsletter Signup Stay connected so you learn about new releases, preorders, and presales, as well as check out featured authors, book reviews, and a little corner of peace. Plus: Receive 2 free ebooks simply for signing up for our free newsletter!
Donna’s Amazon Author Page Donna’s Goodreads
Donna’s Purposefull Writer Facebook Group ThePurposeFullWriter – Donna’s Writer Coaching
About the book – A Pink Lady Thanksgiving:
Kate and Tom McBride, along with their newborn, John Thomas, settle into life in Oregon City, Oregon in November 1879. And while Kate enjoys being a wife, mother, and homemaker, she still remembers her fanciful dreams of last year: become a detective to solve mysteries. Her first case is to find the missing fiancée of a local banker. Tom, however, isn’t sure this is a good idea, particularly not when somebody throws a fiery bomb through the window of their home, burning it to the ground. They learn that their pasts may not be as far behind them as they’d hoped, but when their son is kidnapped, they must join forces to reveal who is trying to stop them—from finding the missing woman, and from starting their new life together.
Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you won’t win? Interested in Donna’s other titles?
Get your copy/copies now!
A Pink Lady Thanksgiving Donna’s Books
Happy Thanksgiving! Come back Nov 29th for Shannon’s Book Bargains Roundup!
When we lived in the DC area we volunteered with Prison Fellowship Ministries and had the privilege of serving dinner to Mr Colson on several occasions. He was a gracious man, always taking time to speak to all the volunteers.
I met Christian authors Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee at a book signing and band members from the Christian ska band The O.C. Supertones after a concert.
I met Debbie Reynolds in person. She was giving a performance at the Riverside Hotel in Laughlin, Nevada when we happened to be there. So we went to see her. This was in December of 1999 or 2000 and I got a picture taken with her. I still have the picture. She was a very lovely lady.
I have met quite a few famous people. I finally met Richard Thomas. He was in the show The Waltons and many movies. He was the last of the children from the Waltons that I met. He came to a Waltons event in Schuyler, Virginia where the creator of the Waltons grew up – Earl Hamner. I got to talk to Richard (John Boy) and have my picture taken with him. He was so welcoming and nice! That’s a day I’ll never forget.
Hm…probably not famous by the world standards but this person played a great role in my life – Viktor Gamm – Evangelist.