Today’s guest is friend and fellow John 3:16 author, Elaine Marie Cooper--wife, Mom to
two grown sons, and GiGi to three-year-old triplets. Her passions are her family, her faith in Jesus Christ and the history of the American
Revolution.
Elaine is the author of the three-part Deer Run Saga and the
just released historical novel, Fields of the Fatherless. She is also a registered nurse.
The author began planning her first novel, The
Road to Deer Run, on the fourth anniversary of her daughter passing
away. Her daughter’s battle with brain cancer and its impact on their family
will be the story told in the memoir that Elaine is currently writing.
I hope you will enjoy my interview with Elaine. She's a kind lady and such an encourager. She is graciously giving away a copy of Fields of the
Fatherless, so be sure to leave your comments below. I'm impressed with its beautiful cover, and can't wait to read my copy.
Elaine,
tell us a little about yourself and your writing.
I
started writing as a young girl but never seriously considered it as a
profession until my 30’s. A newspaper editor saw some of my humorous poems
about the trials and tribulations of parenting three youngsters. I’m not sure
what she saw in my efforts, but the next thing I knew, she was offering me an
opportunity to write feature stories. Within a year, I had worked my way into
writing two regular columns a week. Later I wrote for magazines such as Better
Homes & Gardens. Soon after my daughter passed away in 2003, I retired my
pen for several years. It was not until I felt a persistent, inaudible voice
prompting me to pick up my writing again that I started my first novel.
What
inspired you on your writing journey?
My Dad
was my first encourager when I was young. My husband became the next biggest
encourager. But I pray that my inspiration in what I write comes from the Lord.
What
was your journey to publication like?
It has
been long and difficult. When my first manuscript was ready in 2009, the
publishing industry was in a HUGE slump. No one wanted new writers. I decided
to self-publish which at the time was looked down upon by traditional authors. (Now,
some traditional authors are pursuing that same path.) I pursued the writing
journey with a sequel and both Books 1 and 2 of the saga were given awards, my
most treasured being “Best Romance” at the 2012 Los Angeles Book Festival for The Promise of Deer Run. The third book
in the series, The Legacy of Deer Run,
was contracted with Sword of the Spirit Publishing. (They are picking up the
first two books as well). When attending a Christian writer’s conference in May
of 2012, I pitched the idea for Fields
of the Fatherless to the acquisitions editor for Lighthouse Publishing of
the Carolinas. I received a contract by Christmas—my best present by far that
year.
Do you
have any favorite books on craft?
I love “The Elements of Style” by William Strunk—a tiny book
with huge amounts of helpful info about the basics for writers. Anything by
writer Cecil Murphey is great as well.
One
piece of writing advice you wish you’d had from the beginning.
If you feel called to write, be aware that it will be far
more difficult than you can imagine but also far more rewarding than you could
ever imagine as well.
What do
you think the Lord is teaching you through your writing?
How powerful words can be to teach as well as reach the
inner places in a person’s heart. They can inspire, heal, or hurt, depending on
the message. The pen truly is mightier
than the sword.
When I was a young girl living in Arlington,
Massachusetts, my brother and I walked by the Jason Russell House on the way to
school. Like most older brothers, Bob enjoyed scaring me. As we approached the
house on the corner, he’d say in his most frightening tone, “There’s blood on
the floor in there, you know.”
I was a bit unnerved,
but mostly I was curious.
What
had happened there? And why was there a sign that said it was a historical
landmark?
I knew there must be a
story. But I didn’t learn—until I became an adult—the full depth of the tragedy
that occurred there. It was a story from our nation’s history that begged to be
told.
That’s
fascinating. Tell our readers a little
more about it, please.
In the early
months of 1775, war is brewing in the American colonies. Although frightened,
eighteen-year-old Betsy Russell of Menotomy Village, Massachusetts, wants to be
prepared in case of attack by the British troops.
Her father,
prosperous farmer Jason, is the fourth generation of Russells on this land—yet
their very rights as British Colonials are being stripped away one by one. Will
the King of England take the Russells’ land as well?
Tensions are
growing here in the countryside west of Boston and the outbreak of battle seems
almost a certainty. Jason desperately wants to protect his family—his wife,
children and grandchildren—and their future. Betsy makes every attempt to be
prepared for the worst.
But not even
the American militia could have predicted what was about to occur—right on the
Russells’ doorstep. If Betsy loses everything she holds dear, are the rights of
all the Colonists endangered?
(It’s based on
a true story.)
Share with us your favorite verse of Scripture, Elaine.
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the
rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights
of the poor and needy.”
It speaks so clearly of our obligation to not ignore the
needs of the poor but to use wisdom and compassion with those in need. There
are so many verses throughout Scripture about helping the poor: their sheer
number speaks loudly of God’s heart for the needy.
***
Thanks so much to Elaine for allowing me to share this with my readers. You can learn more about Elaine on her website or on her Facebook page.
And thank all of you for visiting Write Moments with God. I love introducing you to Christian authors.
Now, to qualify for the random drawing of a signed copy of Elaine's novel:
(By the way, the kindle version is ONLY $1 at this time.)
1. Leave a comment in the comment box below for one chance to win, which includes (1) your email address, and (2) how are you going to share this blog post. We so enjoy reading your comments.
It's easy to share this on Facebook. Just click the button at the bottom of the page. Plus, Twitter fans could tweet. We appreciate lots of shares in order to help us get the word out.
2. Become a follower of Write Moments with God for an additional chance to win.
Do this by Saturday, November 9 by noon. I will announce the winner on Monday, November 11th. It's time to start thinking about Christmas gifts, so here's your chance to get started.
Thank you so much for participating. May God bless you.
