Anna’s Song looks like a great time travel/Christian romance. How far a long is book two?
I am about 6 chapters in on book two, and three chapters of book three. Several scenes overlap so am writing those together to make sure I keep my facts straight.
What do you think makes a great romance book?
True love is so much more than heart throbbing emotion, while that is a fun and exciting part. Love is the willingness to sacrifice yourself to protect and care for the one you love. Aside from her twin, Anna doesn’t know what it’s like to be loved. Then she meets Jacob. Her past prevents her from accepting him until it’s too late. Or is it?
Anna’s Song combines a great blend of dealing with personal trauma, romance and suspense. I am told it will make you laugh, cry, and gasp in surprise. Not all at the same time, I trust.
What inspired you when writing Anna’s Song?
Anna’s Song started off as a word race with my son and daughter. We’ll challenge each other to see who can write the most in a set period of time, and still be interesting. That’s how my first chapter was born. The night before, I had the coolest dream where I sat looking into a glass of chilled wine. My reflection smiled back at me from the droplets condensed on the surface. Reaching with a finger to wipe off those droplets, I found myself falling through a vortex of time and landing in the middle of the Civil War. When I awoke, I knew there was a story there. These two plus some interesting Civil War family history, and Anna’s Song came to be.
What are your ambitions for your writing career? Full time? Part time?
There are at least two books left in this series, and several others partially written that deserve completion. The ideas keep coming. I write part time and will keep pouring into it as long as God sees fit!
When did you decide to become a writer?
You know that proverbial knee-hi to a grasshopper? Yup. That was me!
When writing Anna’s Song did anything stand out as particularly challenging?
Aside from making sure my pace moved well, that the language, songs and items used were time appropriate, and everything was correctly punctuated? No. Not at all. ;P
Actually, since music is an important theme throughout, I did have a challenge finding just the right songs without copyright infringement.
How did you come up with the story in Anna’s Song?
Remember the dream I mentioned under the question about inspiration? That started it. Then, there was this story my husband’s grandfather told me years ago about his father during the Civil War. I always thought that little bit of history needed to be told, but there wasn’t enough to fill a book. I loved using that seed of information as a base for Anna’s 1864 adventures.
What do you like to do when not writing?
I have four grandkids and two on the way. Unfortunately, most live a far drive from home, so I try to get out to visit whenever I can. I am also a history and travel nut and fortunate to be married to a like-minded fellow. When not on the road, (or writing) I enjoy reading, cooking, hiking, and watching TV with my husband.
I Blog! (What’s new in the writing world?) You can find me at https://gatesgalwrites.blog. I write about everything from being a Christian woman, to being a wife and mother, to travelling. My latest posts include my experience as a kidney donor.
Of course, there’s my Amazon Author’s page: https://www.amazon.com/Brenda-Gates/e/B07K2MNW3W/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1
I would love it if you joined me on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BrendaLGates/