Time

I'm in Hawaii. My honey surprised me with a trip for our 25th wedding anniversary. Isn't he the best?

I can't believe we've been married for 25 years. In my mind, it seems like it's only been a few years. Time is such a funny thing. It passes so quickly, yet it can feel like no time at all has passed. (After all, I still look like I did when I was a teenager, right?) :).

I've always stayed home with my kids because I wanted to be there with them through all the milestones and I wanted to experience everything I could with them. I didn't want to miss out on anything. Yet, I wonder where all the time has gone. How can I have a child who is almost 23? What happened to all that time when he was growing up? I feel like it whizzed past me. It makes me sad to think my kids are growing up. Yes, it is the natural order of things, but why can't they stay little for a longer time?

I was reading in the scriptures how time makes no difference to Heavenly Father. The past, present, and future are all before Him. Time is something we, as mortals, use, but He doesn't. It's all the same to him. I can't quite wrap my head around that.

But, I've learned to enjoy each day and to make it the best I can because all too quickly it will pass. Seasons come and go so fast, that Christmas feels like it comes every few months. But, if I can enjoy each day, then even if it passes quickly, I know I did the best I could to make that day great. And, even though it feels like I don't know where the time has gone with my kids, I know I've tried each day to spend time with them, read with them, talk with them, laugh and cry with them and that brings me comfort.

The Sharp Edge of a Knife by D.N. Giles

Yay! I'm thrilled to have a great writer and a great friend, Nichole Giles, stop by my blog to tell us about her new book.

 

The Sharp Edge of a Knife is based on the perilous kidnapping of her grandfather, Mel Petersen, on February 11, 1958. Giles offered some insights into her experience writing a biographical novel that hits so close to her heart.

The premise behind this story is fascinating. How did you find out about it?

NG: The main character is my grandpa. I remember hearing during my childhood that he’d been kidnapped in the past. Actually, he was kidnapped or held hostage three times total in his life, which makes the story all that much more interesting to me.

You're lucky you're even here! I can see why this would fascinate you. What finally made you decide to write about it and get it published?

NG: After my grandpa died, I was reading his life history and this particular incident really stood out to me. I decided to write it as an article at first, but there was so much information, and so much research involved when it came to finding the facts, that it turned into a book.

Turning a biographical piece into a novel almost always requires the author to make some plausible leaps to fill in the gaps. How much of this story is biographical and how much is fiction?

NG: I'd say about seventy percent biographical. In my earlier drafts I tried to keep it as accurate as possible, but then discovered that if I did that I'd have almost no dialogue. And when three different publishers told me it was too short with just Mel's point of view, I added in one for Jeneal. Some of that is from things she told me from memory, but I fictionalized the majority of the scenes with the kids because it's been fifty years since all this, and there was no way for her to remember it all.

Did the fact that you were writing about your grandfather make this project easier or more complex?

NG: A little bit of both. Because it is a family story, there's more pressure to make it accurate to not only what happened, but also to the nature of the main character. That's harder to do than I ever expected. Also, though, it was difficult to track down the information and try to stay one step away from the details, because this is someone I love. But in that same way, I had far more determination to find the facts, which is probably what kept me going every time I hit a dead end. It was a long haul, but I actually tracked down one of the kidnappers and talked to him on the phone. Very interesting conversation, and so worth the work it took.

What does this project mean to you personally?

NG: I'm going to tell you a secret. I didn't intend to write this book. When my grandpa died, my grandma printed his life history and had copies made and bound for each of the grand kids for Christmas. I've read that thing front to back about 20 times through. The story of this incident takes up about two and a half pages of his recorded life history. My intention in the beginning was to write it as an article, since at the time I was submitting a lot of articles to magazines. I thought this one might make it into the Ensign. But when I started researching, I realized that this story was much more complex than I'd thought, and knew it had to be more. I didn't want to write a book about it, but the story wouldn't leave me alone. I told my grandma that my grandpa, Melvin Petersen, kept prompting me to do it. So she helped me, and I followed through, however reluctantly. At this point, nothing I've ever worked on has been more spiritually enlightening, or important to me as an author.Plus it makes me miss my grandpa more.

I bet it does. I'm sure you grew so much closer to him as you conducted your research? How did that go?

NG: I started out with a handful of newspaper articles and about two pages worth of journal accounts from my grandpa, and somewhere in the mix there was a court subpoena. From there I called the police departments involved, but because the case was so old—fifty years—they referred me to the national archives in Denver. From there, I was able to get someone to help me track down the case and all the evidence and court documents. Interestingly, the knife used in the kidnapping, as well of some of the other evidence, is still there, and will remain there forever. Or at least, that’s what I’m told.

Amazing. How long did it take you to actually write this book?

NG: It was actually a fairly long process all things considered. From beginning to end, it took me almost three years to get from the inception of the idea to publication. And there was a lot that happened in between, including me working on two other major projects at the same time. All in all, though, I’m thrilled with how it turned out.

Is this your first published novel?

NG: It is my first published novel, but not my first published book. I'm a co-author of the book Mormon Mishaps and Mischief, which is an anthology of short, humorous anecdotes about Latter Day Saints. That book was released this past December. I worked on both projects at the same time, which is why they're being released so close together. And for those who are wondering which project was more work, the answer is neither. And Both. They were equally a bunch of work, even though they required completely different skills and direction. I will say that I would never try to do an anthology by myself, though.

What advice would you give to other aspiring authors who discover interesting stories in their family history?

NG: Don't give up when you're researching and hit a dead end. There are always ways to find what you're looking for. Be warned, though, you might stumble on something that you never expected and end up with more work than you planned on. It's all worth it in the end.

You mentioned that you were also working on two other major projects? What are you currently working on?

NG: Generally, I'm not an LDS fiction author. Everything else I'm working on is young adult paranormal and/or fantasy. Right now, I have one YA paranormal finished, for which I'm looking for a publisher. I also have two other books, one a sequel to the first, and another a completely different story, about halfway through the rough draft stage. I'd like to finish both this year.

Where can we learn more about The Sharp Edge of a Knife?

NG: You can read the first chapter at my website My author bio is also there, with a few interesting facts pertaining to the story.

And how can readers pick up a copy of "The Sharp Edge of a Knife?"

NG: Right now it’s definitely available on Amazon, and I’m told it will be in stores sometime in the next few weeks, if not already. My official book launch promotion is scheduled for March 27th from 1-3:oo pm at Eborn books in the Provo Towne Center mall in Provo Utah. It’s open to the public, and going to be lots of fun.

Thanks, Nichole, for previewing your new release, The Sharp Edge of a Knife. Good luck with it--I hope you sell a gazillion copies!

A Moment Longer

We spent last week in CA visiting family and going to Disneyland. The first part of the week we were in Santa Barbara where I grew up. No matter how long I visit, it's never long enough. I love being there. Yes, it's a gorgeous coastal city with perfect weather, but, for me, it's where I feel connected to my parents and grandparents. It's almost as if I'm in a dream state, caught somewhere between the past and present.

My parents have been deceased more than 37 years. I was a small girl when my father died, but I remember walking with him, hand in hand along the walkway known as the breakwater, a cement barrier between the harbor and the Pacific Ocean. As I walked along there last week with my family, I thought about how my father had once been there, with me, and I felt closer to him.

We drove past the homes where I grew up. I haven't been inside my parents' house since 1973. Every time I visit, I wonder if maybe that house will be for sale and I can walk through it again. Sometimes, I fantasize that if I touched a wall in that house I could transport back into the past and spend a little more time with my parents, tell them that I love them, immerse myself in the love they shared when we were a young all-American family before tragedy changed our lives.

Yes, I know they are in a better place and I know I'll see them again. But, when I'm in Santa Barbara I can't help but feel more connected to them as I walk where they once walked, sit where they once sat, and touch what they once touched.  SB is filled with memories of a time that I wish I could capture and hold onto for just a moment longer.

A Great Cause

Tristi Pinkston, author of several books including her newest release Secret Sisters, is sponsoring a great cause called Operation Sock Hop. You can read all about it here.

Author Interview with Sarah M. Eden

I'm so excited because Sarah M. Eden has agreed to let me interview her. Thanks, Sarah, for stopping by my blog.

• Tells us a little about yourself.


Sarah: My family has lived in the arid deserts of Arizona since before the invention of air conditioning. So insanity runs in my family. Not something most people would include on a resume, but it's great for an author. Writing requires a certain degree of mental instability. And a tendency toward insomnia.

I write a lot at night and while my kids are at school and any time I am supposed to be cleaning my house.

My 6-year-old describes my books this way: “Kissy, romantic books where the people lived a long time ago and talked funny.” Yep, pretty much. I write clean romances that take place in Regency England (think the first two decades of the 1800s: Napoleon, Jane Austen, Mad King George). The endings are always happy, the characters are usually funny and my mom thinks they are amazing.

• What inspires you to write?

Sarah: Perhaps the single greatest source of inspiration for me lies in the fact that writing gives me an excuse to avoid responsible things. “Wow, I have very large piles of dishes on the counters (yes, plural) of my kitchen. Sorry. I need to write.” “The PTA is hoping I will bake 6 dozen cupcakes for the bake sale in a half-hour. Sorry. I need to write.” “What is that, children? You want dinner? There are frozen waffles in the freezer. Mom needs to write.”

Inspiration? Check.

• What gets in your greatest writing challenge?

Sarah: I have a deep and unshakable need to consume large quantities of unnecessary and useless calories (and by this I mean Cheetos). This need creates another need—to exercise my backside, hips and gut off. These very real needs often get in the way of my writing.

To my joy, I have managed to invent, in many different versions, a contraption made up of very large books, packing tape and the back of the sofa in my living room which allows me to type while spending some quality time with my elliptical machine while burning calories to which I'd rather not become too permanently attached. I would take a picture, but it's pretty embarrassing. Embarrassingly awesome!

I am also developing a system by which I can type and eat at the same time. I call it “Click, click, click, chew.” Fascinating. I'm thinking of writing a book about it.

• Where do you get your ideas for your books?

Sarah: My books always begin with a character, oddly enough. The plot and setting develop around him or her. I write romances, so the next step is deciding what kind of person would be the love-interest for that character. Then I flesh out where and exactly when within my time period these people live, their circumstances, etc. Those things which come in the way of their being together are usually obvious at this point—if not, I figure that out.

So, my ideas come from people. This is probably the primary reason I have no friends—everyone is afraid they'll end up in my next book. It probably doesn't help that I tell them about this possibility.

• Your most recent Regency-era romance is Courting Miss Lancaster. What's it about?

Sarah: About 200 pages.

Oh... wait. I get what you mean. Let me refer to the oh-so-handy back of the book:

Harry Windover adores blonde, green-eyed Athena Lancaster, but alas, a penniless man like himself has no hope of winning a young noblewoman's hand. To add insult to injury, Athena's brother-in-law and guardian, the Duke of Kielder, has asked Harry to assist Athena in finding the gentleman of her dreams. But the lovesick Harry is cunning as well: as the weeks pass, he introduces Athena to suitors who are horrifically boring, alarmingly attached to their mothers, downright rude, astoundingly self-absorbed, and utterly ridiculous.

Athena can't comprehend why she is having so little success meeting eligible and acceptable gentlemen. Indeed, her circle of admirers couldn't be less admirable--nothing like the loyal, gentle friend she's found in Harry.

But how long can Harry's scheme be hidden before it is discovered? And what will Athena do when she uncovers Harry's deception?

• What are you working on right now?

Sarah: I am currently writing a sort-of-sequel to Courting Miss Lancaster. It follows the misadventures of another Lancaster sister—timid and uncertain Daphne—as she attempts to find love despite almost overwhelming obstacles. She comes up against snooty Peers, selfish matrons and even the dreaded “Love Triangle!”

Now, that's gonna be an amazing story!

• Other than writing, what else do you do with your time.

Sarah: When my daughter was in preschool, she made me a Mother's Day card in which she answered several questions about me. Her answer to the question “What does your mom like to do most?” was “Not cook.” So, there you go.

I also enjoy reading and music and not sleeping (though “enjoy” isn't precisely the right word for that last one—more like “accept begrudgingly”).

In all my free time, (rolling my eyes), I am a regular contributor at mormonmommyblogs.blogspot.com, a presenter at various writing conferences, a Mommy-Taxi and an interviewer-extraordinaire for my recurring blog segment “I Need Friends Friday” at http://www.sarahmeden.com/

• Where can readers buy Courting Miss Lancaster?

Sarah: Courting Miss Lancaster can be found at Deseret Book stores and Seagull bookstores. A link to purchase online can be found at my website, http://www.sarahmeden.com/.

Thank you, Sarah, for such a fun and entertianing interview!

Courting Miss Lancaster by Sarah M. Eden

Back cover blurb, Courting Miss Lancaster:

Harry Windover adores blonde, green-eyed Athena Lancaster, but alas, a penniless man like himself has no hope of winning a young noblewoman's hand. To add insult to injury, Athena's brother-in-law and guardian, the Duke of Kielder, has asked Harry to assist Athena in finding the gentleman of her dreams. But the lovesick Harry is cunning as well: as the weeks pass, he introduces Athena to suitors who are horrifically boring, alarmingly attached to their mothers, downright rude, astoundingly self-absorbed, and utterly ridiculous.

Athena can't comprehend why she is having so little success meeting eligible and acceptable gentlemen. Indeed, her circle of admirers couldn't be less admirable--nothing like the loyal, gentle friend she's found in Harry. But how long can Harry's scheme be hidden before it is discovered? And what will Athena do when she uncovers Harry's deception?

Escape into a charming regency world in this delightfully romantic comedy of manners that will entertain you to the very last word.

Sarah Eden is a fantastic writer. Her book, Seeking Persephone, was a Whitney Award finalist last year.

You can learn more about Sarah M. Eden at http://www.sarahmeden.com/