Kate Breslin: A New Author Gripping Readers With Story

Everyone's Story welcomes debut author Kate Breslin. I've had the opportunity to get to know Kate since we share the same literary agent and it has been exciting to see Kate emerge and blossom as an author. I'm halfway through reading her novel FOR SUCH A TIME and I urge all to read this remarkable story, which Kate is offering as a Giveaway. Check out the intriguing and reflective video she shares and the replies to a few questions I've asked her. We're looking forward to seeing your comments.

Book Giveaway:
Kate is offering one copy of her novel FOR SUCH A TIME to one randomly chosen commenter. The winner will be announced here on Friday, May 2nd, between 5-6 PM EST. For convenience, please leave your contact information within your comment. Thanks!

Video of Kate's interview at Bethany House:

Questions For Kate:

I’m currently reading FOR SUCH A TIME and must say that I regret the other demands of my day that pull me away from the novel. What a gripping story. How did you slip back into that time era to capture the lifestyle and speech patterns of Europe in the 1940s?

Thanks Elaine! I think I was able to “mimic” the time period through reading books and watching movies from the era. A few modern day WWII movies that did a great job depicting dialog and dress are Schindler’s List, The Pianist, and Playing for Time.

Your novel focuses on a sad period of history. While writing it, did your heart ever stagger, leaving you to wonder how to finish such a tale?

I did get emotional writing the story. Even during the final review process, I became teary-eyed rereading certain passages. It reminded me of the real, painful stories I’d read about the Holocaust.

As both a reader and writer, the darker side of the human mind intrigues me. As an author for a Christian publisher and as a former bookseller, do you find the face of Christian fiction changing and can you offer any tips on how to appeal to the reader who may have boxed Christian fiction into a tight definition?

Great question! I think Christian publishers are becoming aware that the genre needs to cater to a wider range of readers—not only “cradle Christians” but worldly Prodigal sons and daughters who are returning to Christ. Diversity is good; by offering more “edgy” inspirational fiction, I feel publishers will attract more of the latter group, as well as some of the secular readership. Packaging is extremely important, of course, but stories should offer greater conflict, more relevant and controversial issues, and realistically flawed characters who struggle to find their way back to values and beliefs. Readers also need to be allowed to discover the spiritual message themselves—“less preaching means more reaching.” As a bookseller, I’ve heard this complaint from both Christian and non-Christian readers. Writing workshops teach “less is more” when crafting emotion into our scenes; the same might be applied to our spiritual message. Let the reader figure it out and it will mean more.

Mount Rainier--a view Kate
 often sees.

Was the road to publication short and smooth or long and gravelly?

I have to smile, Elaine—that’s the same metaphor I used in the Acknowledgements for my novel. Yes, it was a long and gravelly road, often full of ruts. I spent the better part of twenty years trying to publish in the general market and have the rejection letters to prove it. While that time did allow me to hone my craft, it wasn’t until I found my passion in writing inspirational fiction that publishing became a reality.

(Administrative note: sincerely and hilariously 
  coincidental, the two of us did create that metaphor
  independently.)

Any fun surprises as a debut author you’d like to share?

I’ve had some wonderful surprises, like receiving the first copy of my book in the mail from my publisher. One day, though, I was out marketing my book at libraries and checked my phone for email. There were several congratulatory messages and I had no idea why. It turned out that For Such A Time received a TopPick! review for inspirational fiction in Romantic Times magazine. I was thrilled!

And the opposite: as a newly published author, were there sacrifices you didn’t expect?

Absolutely! Time no longer exists in my universe. Between improving my online visibility, launching and marketing For Such A Time, and working on the next book deadline for Bethany House, I wish I had two of me right now!

What can readers expect next from Kate Breslin?

I’m working on another inspirational historical romance for April 2015 with Bethany House. The story is set in Britain during WWI. And as I love Downton Abbey, I’m having fun writing in this time period.

And for fun: if time constraints were not an issue, what 3 fiction books would you reread?

There are so many, but I choose: The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, The Secret by Julie Garwood, and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I love them all!

Kate's Ah-hahs To Tweet:

Meet up & coming author Kate Breslin on Everyone’s Story. #BookGiveaway (Tweet This)

Kate Breslin: should Christian fiction appeal to the reader wanting a different kind of read? (Tweet This)

Everyone’s Story: #BookGiveaway of FOR SUCH A TIME by Kate Breslin #ChristianBooks (Tweet This)

Author's Bio:
A Florida girl who migrated to the beautiful Pacific Northwest, Kate Breslin lives with her husband, John, and a very spoiled cat named Coco. Kate has written several travel articles, published award-winning poetry, and her first manuscript, a Scottish historical romance, was an RWA Golden Heart finalist. FOR SUCH A TIME is her debut novel. Kate’s writing journey has been one of faith as well as success; after years spent writing novels aimed at the general romance market, she finally heeded God’s call to write stories of how His love brings two hearts together. When not plotting her next novel, she loves spending time with author friends, reading from her mountain of books, or watching anything Jane Austen on BBC. Kate’s also an avid gardener and enjoys taking long walks in Washington State’s many forests. A traveler as well, she’s toured most of the country at one time or another and also been abroad–Paris, Munich, Rome, Pompeii, Athens, even a day trip to Turkey.

Places to connect with Kate: 
Website
Blog
Twitter
Facebook
Pinterest
Goodreads