Story Sparks Multi-author Giveaway:
Last but not Least Linda Shenton Matchett
Welcome to
the final stop of the Story Sparks Multi-author Blog Tour. May 21-26, 2018 readers get a chance
to enter and win ebooks from six different authors. Linda Shenton Matchett is
today’s featured author. One lucky winner will receive a copy Love’s Harvest. Today, Linda will be
talking about History, Mystery, and Faith. Read on to discover what sparks
Linda’s creativity and to enter the rafflecopter to win her heartwarming
retelling of the biblical book of Ruth.
I’ve been
making up stories since I was young. In fact, I recently found my notebooks
from back then and had quite a laugh reading my childish scrawl and teenaged
angst. Even then, my fertile imagination was apparent.
During
interviews and speaking engagements I’m often asked where I get my ideas. The
short answer is: I find them everywhere. But that’s not very informative, so
I’ll let you in on my secret. I’m constantly on the lookout for “what-if”
kernels-sparks, if you will.
For
example, if I’m in a public location I people-watch. Not in a creepy, stalker
kind of way, but rather “I wonder what those two people are talking about
because one of them looks happy-sad-stressed-angry-insert-other-emotion.” In
fact, I can usually lasso my husband into the game when he’s with me.
Other
things that spark my imagination are newspaper or magazine articles, books or
movies I think should have ended or been written differently, historical
events, and incidents that happen to me, my family, or friends.
Here are
the sparks for each of my books:
Love’s Harvest: I got the idea to write a modern
retelling of Ruth from Francine Rivers’ book Redeeming Love which is based on the book of Hosea.
Love Found in Sherwood Forest: The Love Inspired line was open
for submissions. They provided myriad locations and trios of objects from which
authors could select. (e.g., England, arrows, flowers, and a secret passage or
Virginia, a winery, an antique car, and a stolen painting). LI didn’t pick up
my story, but another publisher did.
On the Rails: We visited the Grand Canyon about
ten years ago where I learned about the Harvey Girls-young women who traveled
from the East to be waitresses for the Fred Harvey Restaurant Company during
the late 1800s and early 1900s. I was intrigued and did a bunch of research
which led me to some of the women’s memoirs.
A Love Not Forgotten: I was asked by a publisher to
write a story that culminated with a Spring wedding. While brainstorming, I saw
a sitcom on which one of the characters was hit on the head resulting in
amnesia.
A Doctor in the House: I read a book about the English
country homes that were requisitioned by the government for use as barracks,
hospitals, evacuee centers, etc. Combined with learning about Dr. Margaret
Craighill, the first female Army doctor during WWII and reading accounts where
the Americans were criticized for “being late to the last war, and late to this
one,” I knew I had my story.
Under Fire: This is one of the first
manuscripts I wrote, and it came about as a result of my coursework with Jerry
Jenkins’ Christian Writers’ Guild and attendance at the Crimebake Mystery
Writers’ Conference. Classes about brainstorming and panel discussions ignited
several ideas that culminated in the eventual plot.
See how
easy it is? Take a look around today, and make a list of how many sparks you
find.
Love’s Harvest:
Noreen
Hirsch loses everything including her husband and two sons. Then her adopted country
goes to war with her homeland. Has God abandoned her?
Rosa
Hirsch barely adjusts to being a bride before she is widowed. She gives up her
citizenship to accompany her mother-in-law to her home country. Can Rosa find
acceptance among strangers who hate her belligerent nation?
Basil
Quincey is rich beyond his wildest dreams, but loneliness stalks him. Can he
find a woman who loves him and not his money?
Three
people. One God who can raise hope from the ashes of despair.
Linda's Links:
Sign Up for Linda's Newsletter: Newsletter sign up
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/lindasmatchett
Purchase Link: www.amazon.com/dp/B01DMB3ZX2
Rafflecopter Entry: https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/edit/1/
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