Saturday, September 18, 2010

The Story Behind the Story

The Story Behind the Story




Talk about a risk…



There I was…well, no. I take that back. There they were, my characters I mean, Ken and Kiara, all but leaving me sleepless as they fed me their story. I tried to silence them. Had to silence them. Really. After all, I couldn’t tell their story unless Collin Edwards and Daveny Montgomery had their shot first!



Let me fill in the blanks for you. I was writing furiously on a submission to White Rose Publishing for their Hearts Crossing contest. Collin and Daveny simply filled up the pages and I fell in love with them completely – but hey, this was a contest. Chances of winning were slim to none when you consider how many talented authors would be participating. Still, I had to try. So, I finished off this heart-warming novella and sent it in.



That’s when the weirdest thing happened. Two of the secondary characters from Hearts Crossing stepped to center stage and threw me into the midst of a story that stole my entire focus. It centered around the modernista versus the clergyman. The gorgeous, vivacious woman versus the quiet, yet completely charismatic missionary. When I wrote this story, the scenes, the dialogue, the characterization, poured out of me like water.



One small problem, though. What about the prequel? What about Daveny and Collin’s story? Ken and Kiara stand just great on their own, but how would I be able to convince White Rose to contract Hearts Surrender if Hearts Crossing didn’t win their interest? Ordinarily that would have stopped my writing angel like a freight train. Not this time, though. The story needed to be told.



I knew I was setting myself up for a letdown, but I had to try, and I figured if I didn’t win the contest, I might still be able to work out details and logistics at a later point. So on I went…or in this case, wrote.



How good is God’s providence and provision? I ended up winning the Hearts Crossing contest! Furthermore, when I told my editor I had a sequel about ready for review, she seemed eager to see it! The rest, as they say, is history. I ended up contracting Hearts Surrender to White Rose Publishing, and beyond that, I have been contracted to create an series of books based around Woodland Church, home of the characters you met in Hearts Crossing, and continue to meet in Hearts Surrender…in fact, Ken Lucerne, the hero of Hearts Surrender, is its pastor. Books 3 and 4 of the series are Hearts Communion and Hearts Key, and they’ll be coming soon from White Rose Publishing!



Thanks for letting me share my story, and excitement about the release of Hearts Surrender! I hope you enjoy it!

7 comments:

talleybama said...

Marianne, you know I'm a fan! Thanks, Mary, for allowing her to get the word out to more folks. This series has engulfed me, too. I love series, but this one has gripped me and I am waiting (very impatiently) for #3 and #4. I love your work, Marianne, and am thrilled to have found you.

Tanya Hanson said...

Our God is an awesome God, that's for sure. I am happy to read the sequel! I just downloaded Hearts Surrender in my Kindle.

I hope Woodland stores goon and on and on! Collin had a ton of sibs, right? oxoxox

Lovely blog, ladies.

Mary Alford said...

What a great story Hearts Surrender is. I'm so glad you stopped by to share it with us today, Marianne.

Mary

Marianne Evans said...

Brenda, you're a huge blessing to inspy authors! THANK YOU for your support and encouragement. I've turned in the edits for book 3, Hearts Communion (the story fo Collin's brother, JB!) and am about 1/2 way done with Amy and Tyler's story - Hearts Key! Can't WAIT to share them with you all! :-)

Marianne Evans said...

Tanya, you're soooooo a cyber angel in my life. hugs and love, my darling!!!

Marianne Evans said...

Mary, the delight and pleasure is all mine, truly. THANK YOU! God bless!

Donna B said...

Great post once again, Marianne. I'm enjoying following you around and learning more about the series. And as anxious as I am for them, I'm waiting for them all. Looking forward to them!