Talkshow Thursday: Meet Author Jodie Wolfe

Meet Author Jodie Wolfe

Linda: Welcome, Jodie! Your bio says you were bitten by the writing bug after watching Little House on the Prairie as a child, but that you didn’t particularly enjoy history. What changed your mind and made you decide to write historical stories?

Jodie: Growing up I didn't like history because school mostly focused on memorizing dates—something I'm not good at. But when I started to write and research for my historical settings, a whole new world opened up for me. I love digging to uncover the stories from the time period or setting. I have found that if my research can only be obtained online, I usually can find someone who either works in a library or museum who loves to help out with the research.

LM: You’re first novella, Hearts Tightly Knit released this week. How did you come up with the idea for the story?

Jodie: Hearts Tightly Knit is my first published novella, although I have another novella I wrote that my agent is trying to find a home for.

I've always had a fascination with twins. Not sure why. So I started thinking, what would happen if twin sisters made a pact to never marry. How could they be persuaded to change?

LM: What a great story idea! You write historical fiction, and your website indicates you like to travel to story locations if possible. Do you have an unusual research story to share?

Jodie: One of my stories is set in Camden, Maine. Years ago my husband, son and I traveled to visit the area. My heroine lived on Curtis Island where her father worked the lighthouse. I had been in contact with the local historian at the library in town, and she put me in communication with a couple who agreed to ferry us to the island. This was in November and the couple had already taken their boat out of the water for the winter season, but they made a special point of helping us out.

Now, I'm not real crazy about water and was hoping they'd provide life jackets. When I mentioned about not being able to swim well, they said neither of them could either. Definitely not a confidence builder when the sea was rough that day. This all took place while we were being rowed across to the island. They had a life jacket or two on the floor of the boat in case they were needed. (After we fell in the water? J) I prayed the whole way to the island and back to shore.

LM: The age old question for writers-are you a “pantster” or a plotter?

Jodie: I guess I'm a hybrid—a little of both. I like having a good feel for my characters and the story before I begin, but my characters often change things on me as we go along the journey too.

LM: Are any of your characters based on real people?

Jodie: No. But I did have twin women who read my story and gave input on whether or not I was getting the twin thing right.

LM: Now that your novella is out, what is your next project?

Jodie: Most likely my next project will be the second part of the Twins & Needles Series, Love in the Seams which will be coming out in November. Now that Ellie has found a spouse, Mae needs to find out what she's missing.

LM: Sounds exciting! What are your passions outside of writing?

Jodie: I love to read. I think most authors do. I enjoy walking, spending time with my husband, and the occasional craft.

LM: What else do you want folks to know about you?

Jodie: I thought your readers might enjoy seeing the back cover copy:

Orphaned at age ten, Ellie Stafford and her twin sister Mae made a vow—to stick together and never marry. Now in their mid-twenties, they are bucking convention in Calder Springs, Texas, as women with respectable occupations who can take care of themselves. Ellie works at the Good Fixin's Diner and spends her evenings knitting garments for The Children's Aid Society. When a handsome local rancher shows up looking for a cook, she's hardly tempted, despite his good looks.

Luke Rogers owns a spread just outside of Calder Springs. It was running as smooth as cattle going through a chute until his cook up and marries and high-tails it back east. With no cook and a bunkhouse full of ranch hands ready to revolt, he persuades Ellie to temporarily fill in until he can hire someone else. He should have known better than to get tangled up with another woman.

Thank you for having me today, Linda. I'll be giving away one copy. So be sure to leave a comment or ask a question. 

Glad to have you today! Thanks for your generosity in giving away a copy of your book! Can't wait to read it.

To purchase a copy of Hearts Tightly Knit visit Amazon.