Stephanie is offering to one randomly chosen commenter a printed edition of THE WELL. The winner will be announced here on Friday, September 6th, between 4-6 PM EST. For convenience, please leave your contact information within your comment. Thanks!
The Power Of Story by Stephanie Landsem
Since The Well was
released in June, I’ve had the chance to talk to many readers and there are two
questions I get the most: How did you start writing and why historical fiction?
My website says “Illuminating history through fiction” but that’s just the end
of the story. The beginning was another matter.
From my earliest
days, I loved history and daydreamed of far-off times and places. And I loved
fiction: historical fiction, thrillers, mysteries . . . anything I could get my
hands on. Still, I was a pragmatist—practical, sensible—writing stories as a
career was nothing more than a flight of fancy.
So I went to college
ready for hours in the lab as a biology major. Instead, something happened
halfway through my freshman year . . . I took my first college level history
course. Pragmatism flew out the window and I spent the next four years studying
ancient Greece, imperial Russia, and medieval Europe. Unfortunately—and just as
I’d suspected— there weren’t paying jobs for people who could write a thesis on
the differences between Spartans and Athenians.
As twenty years
passed, I exchanged research papers for marketing, and marketing for the joys
of motherhood. Four children, volunteering, carpooling, and answering the inevitable
what’s-for-dinner had filled my days for so long that when my youngest daughter
entered school, I wasn’t sure what to do.
“What would you do if
you could do anything?” my oldest daughter asked me one day.
Anything? I had to
think about that. My answer came harder than I expected, perhaps because it had
been buried for so long—percolating in the back of my mind as I’d changed
diapers and read bedtime stories. “I guess I’d write historical fiction.”
“Then why aren’t you
doing it?” she asked, with all the confidence of a twelve year old who still
thought her mother could do anything.
Why, indeed? Because
I didn’t know where to start. Because I’d never taken a writing course in my
life. Because I might not be any good.
But my daughter was
right. It was time to try. And if I fell flat on my face it wouldn’t be because
I didn’t’ give it everything I had. I had a story, one that had come to me one
morning as I’d heard the gospel account of the Samaritan woman at the well. And
so I sat down to write.
The first day, I felt
like an imposter. Who did I think I was . . . Anita Diamant? Francine Rivers? I
was no Biblical scholar and certainly no wordsmith. Heck, I didn’t even know
what a synopsis was. But I did want to help people experience the kind of life
Jesus lived—to imagine meeting the Incarnation face to face. And so I started
typing.
It wasn’t easy. But
with hours of research, an online thesaurus, and plenty of prayer, I finally
saw a book take shape. I was so proud when I wrote ‘the end’. I couldn’t wait
for someone to read it. I gave the book to my eldest girl, by that time 14, and
paced the floor, waiting for her verdict. It came, quick and brutal.
“Mom, it’s boring.”
Argh! I knew it. I
shoved the manuscript in the bottom drawer of my desk and vowed never to write
again. But after I had my cry, my daughter suggested gently. “More action, less
history.” And I tried again. And again. And again.
Every revision
improved and refined the story and taught me something new about writing. By
the time I entered The Well into the Genesis contest in 2011, I felt that I
might even have a chance.
The Well went on to
final in the Genesis and the contest helped me get an agent and a publishing
contract for not one, but three Biblical fiction titles. Today, I’m a full-time
writer of historical fiction with one book published, another on my editor’s
desk, and a third in progress. (That eldest daughter is in college majoring in
English, of course.)
My goal each day is
simple: to transport my readers into the pages of the Bible; to bring the
people, places, and cultures of the past alive through the power of story; and
yes, to illuminate history through fiction.
How do you slip out of the present and into the world of far ago yesterday to write your stories?
The more research I do in the time period the easier it is to completely immerse myself in the story and characters. The story just seems to flow when I can clearly picture the details of the time period. Sometimes, I'll hit a roadblock—some historical detail I don't know: A character is locked in a room, but did doors have locks? How did they work? What did the keys look like? I found out that I can't let those roadblocks slow me down. I use an @ sign to mark the place where I need to do some more research, and then dive back into the story.
What lessons have your Biblical time era characters taught you that you were surprised is still applicable to today's lifestyle?
Have you had to make any unexpected sacrifices in becoming a full-time professional author?
Well, I knew this year would be hard. I have one book out, one in production, and another to finish writing. So yes, I've had to give up any free time that I used to have. I try to still be available for my family, but even that is hard sometimes. Fortunately, I'm blessed with an understanding husband and kids. When I tell them I need to write, they are more than happy to head out the door and get dinner at their favorite restaurant!
Stephanie's Ah-hahs To Tweet:
Meet
Biblical-historical author Stephanie Landsem on Everyone’s Story. (Tweet This)
Everyone
has a story: biology major Stephanie Landsem turns author. (Tweet This)
Daughter
to mother: Why aren’t you writing a book? And, mom, Stephanie Landsem did what?
(Tweet This)
Win
Stephanie Landem’s #BookGiveaway of THE WELL. (Tweet This)
Author Bio:
Stephanie Landsem writes historical fiction because she loves adventure in far-off times and places. In real life, she’s explored ancient ruins, medieval castles, and majestic cathedrals around the world. Stephanie is equally happy at home in Minnesota with her husband, four children, and three fat cats. When she’s not writing, she’s feeding the ravenous horde, avoiding housework, and dreaming about her next adventure—whether it be in person or on the page.
Stephanie Landsem writes historical fiction because she loves adventure in far-off times and places. In real life, she’s explored ancient ruins, medieval castles, and majestic cathedrals around the world. Stephanie is equally happy at home in Minnesota with her husband, four children, and three fat cats. When she’s not writing, she’s feeding the ravenous horde, avoiding housework, and dreaming about her next adventure—whether it be in person or on the page.
Connect with Stephanie at:
stephanielandsem.comhttps://www.facebook.com/stephanielandsem
https://twitter.com/#!/stephlandsem
http://pinterest.com/slandsem/
A Note From Elaine:
In following professionals' advice, I've started an Author's Page on Facebook. I'd love for you to Like it at : https://www.facebook.com/AuthorElaineStock
Thanks ♥
