Carla Olson Gade: A Maine Gal Writes About The West

Everyone’s Story welcomes author Carla Olson Gade. Carla lives in Maine, one of my favorite states to visit, and if you ever try driving from New Hampshire into Maine during the summer months, you will discover that there are droves of us diehard Maine fans that head north to scenic Maine. So, how does someone with a love of the Northeast end up writing about the old Western days? Come for a visit with Carla and find out. Also, enjoy some beautiful photos from Carla!

1. Book Giveaway of Carla’s THE SHADOW CATCHER’S DAUGHTER

Carla is generously offering 1 copy of her new release to one randomly chosen commenter. Please leave your email address within the body of the comment. The winner will be announced Friday, July 6^th. Here’s a blurb:

Set in Colorado & New Mexico in 1875, The Shadow Catcher’s Daughter is Carla’s debut novel, released through Harlequin’s Heartsong Presents book club. Eliana Van Horn aims to make her mark by joining her father as his photography assistant on an expedition to survey and document the placement of a marker at the intersection of four southwest boundaries. Living in the shadows of his native heritage, a half-Navajo guide, Yiska Wilcox, is thrown off course when The Shadow Catcher’s Daughter opens up the uncharted territory of his heart. As they travel through dangerous terrain in New Mexico and overcome barriers of culture, faith, ideals, and secrets that they both keep, they at last discover common ground and stake a chance on love.

How Does A Lover of New England History End Up Writing A Western Novel?

By Carla Olson Gade

I’ve been writing since I was a child and still have a story I penned in sixth grade. Over twenty years ago I had aspirations of getting published. At that time I wrote articles, devotionals, and stories for my children. For the past 12 or so years I’ve been writing inspirational historical fiction “stories” and began my pursuit to learn the craft of writing for publication and preparing to be an author.

Fort Knox on the Penobscot River with the quaint town of Bucksport in view. (Taken from the Penobscot Narrows Observatory -tallest public observatory in the world)

Since I grew up in New England, I’ve long been fascinated by the bountiful history there. Home for me as a child was Massachusetts and I spent many occasions visiting places like Boston, Plymouth, and Cape Cod. When I was in grade school my hometown of Wrentham celebrated its tri-centennial, which was great fun for a child like me with an enormous imagination. I think that was one of the catalysts that inspired me to learn more about the past – events, places, and the people who lived then.

My imagination always soared as I wondered about the “true” stories from history, and New England has a lot of them. You’d think that might make me become a non-fiction author, a biographer or such. In fact, I have written many non-fiction pieces through the years. But I recall the times of being enchanted by a wonderfully told story…and so often that is how I learned best. When I started reading inspirational historical fiction, not until I was an adult, I realized that was the type of story I wanted to tell – rich in history and woven together with faith.

        Heard of deer on their daily visit to my former neighbor's farm in Fairfield, Maine.

So how did I end up writing a western novel?

Darlene Franklin presented the concept to me for the historical series Love in Four Corners. She invited me and Susan Page Davis for this series, each of us setting our novel in a different time period relating to the Four Corners Monument at the intersection of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona – way out of my element. Yet, I have enjoyed reading some fiction set in the west, and addicted to Bonanza and Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, I thought I could meet the challenge. After doing a bit of research for the novel’s setting I was hooked and The Shadow Catcher’s Daughter was born.

When I did my research, I became fascinated with the idea of my characters joining a survey expedition, fictitiously of course, though the survey is an historical event. I appointed Yiska as the guide and Eliana as a photography assistant. By the way, Shadow Catcher is what Native Americans called photographers, thus the title! I believe it was providential for me to write this when I did as this book became a tribute to my stepfather who passed away during the writing of it. He was my go-to guy when I needed someone to answer questions about the Wild West.

And there you have it! I have lots of stories yet to be told and my next two books releasing are set in colonial New England – Colonial Courtships this October and Pattern for Romance in 2013. But you never know, I might have another western in me yet!

    Portland Head Light House on the rocky coast of Portland in Casco Bay, a family favorite.

Have any interest-turn-motivation stories for writing or reading that you'd like to share with Carla? She'd love to hear from you.

Author Bio:

Carla Olson Gade has been imagining stories most her life. Her love for writing and eras gone by turned her attention to writing historical Christian romance. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Maine Fellowship of Christian Writers. An autodidact, creative thinker, and avid reader, Carla also enjoys genealogy, web design, and photography. A native New Englander, she writes from her home in beautiful rural Maine where she resides with her “hero” husband and two young adult sons.

You can find Carla on the web at:

http://carlagade.com

http://writingtodistraction.blogspot.com

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13583947-the-shadow-catcher-s-daughter

http://pinterest.com/carlaolsongade/the-shadow-catcher-s-daughter/    

Autographed copies are available through Signed by the Author.