Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background?           

 I’m a preacher’s daughter, the eldest of five children, and a proud bookworm! I was incredibly blessed to have been raised with a constant flow of the Word of God playing in the background of my childhood (i.e. teaching tapes on cassette by men like Derek Prince, Kenneth Hagin, Kenneth Copeland and the like). After college I married my high-school sweetheart (well, kind of, it’s a long story that I just may tell some day). We’ve been married for twenty-one years and have three wonderful sons. Now that they are in school (one in college!) I spend my days doing what I love – writing about God’s great love for us through stories.

How did you become interested in writing?                                                                                     

It started as an expression of worship to God. As a child, I wrote songs and poetry, and later, skits, short stories and articles. When I was in fourth grade my dad decided to throw out the television. My brother and I weren’t too happy with him at the time, but it was during those next few years that I fell in love with books. It was then that I discovered the magic of story. I began to read everything I could get my hands on – fairy tales to Little House on the Prairie, romance novels to history books. My grades improved, I started loving school and then I began dreaming up stories of my own.                  

What compelled you to write a book on this subject?

The Snowflake started as a short story. I had the thought to try and “go literary” thinking it would be a dream to get into a high-brow magazine like Glimmer Train. But God had other plans for it. When my editor approached me with the idea of writing a novella I was excited. I love trying new formats of writing. Then I remembered this short story, set in Alaska during the gold rush much like my first novel, Snow Angel. It was such a joy to revisit the Alaskan gold rush setting and put a Christmas spin on it!

What is the main theme or point that you want readers to understand from reading your book? Are there any other themes present in the book?                                                                                         

As the story developed, I realized that the main theme was loneliness. I think we all have feelings of loneliness at one time or another. And some people, sadly, are truly alone. Can you imagine having no one to spend Christmas with?  Ellen struggles with feeling alone in the world. Oh, she has some friends, some co-workers, etc. but she wants that connection with another person that is soul deep. She wants Buck! And while God is present in her life, sometimes He feels close and sometimes He feels distant. I think most of us can relate to that too.                                                             

Are there some specific lessons you hope readers will learn and apply to their lives after reading your book?

Just that God IS there even when we don’t feel like He is. And He does want us to have close, loving relationships with each other and Him. I pray that this Christmas everyone will have someone to spend it with and if that’s impossible (although nothing is impossible with God!) that His presence will be so strong, His heart of love so powerful, that no one will feel alone in the world on that special day of Christ’s birth.

Do you have a favorite part of the book or a favorite chapter?

When Ellen finds herself being auctioned off as a bride for a day! Ha! She can’t quite figure out  what God is doing, but of course He has it all figured out! And the ending. I do so love a happy ending that brings a tear to the eye.

What makes your book different than any other books similar to yours that are in circulation today?

I think with this particular book, since it started out as a short story, it’s the prose. I really tried to keep a poetic cadence throughout. I hope readers are swept away into a world of romance and Christmas and snowflakes.         

How does the book intertwine with God’s call on your life and how you are currently serving Him?

I’d have to say I’m looking more honestly at my own moments of loneliness. Being a writer is a solitary career. With the boys gone all day, these last two years have been an adjustment. The house is so quiet! To me, loneliness fills like a hole and I have to watch what I do to fill it. Mindless TV, web surfing, reading a book, (none of those things are bad, btw!)  it’s pretty easy for me to snatch something up to occupy my mind instead of sitting in silence and facing the empty hole feeling. But, when I do, I can at least recognize what is going on in my heart and take those feelings to the Lord and see what He has to say and do about it. LOL! The Lord has some pretty amazing, creative ways to help us in our struggles and it can turn out to be a serendipitous experience if we trust Him and allow Him access to our heart. I love watching Him, this Father who loves me more than I can fathom, come up with His amazing answers to my struggles. My job is not to fix myself, I will never get anywhere on that path. My job is to turn to Him, trust Him, believe in Him and stand back in awe at the plans He has for me. (And you!)    

Do you have a favorite Scripture verse?

For this topic I would have to say Deuteronomy 31:8 “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (NIV)

When you are not writing, what do you like to do? Do you have any hobbies?       

I was a stay at home mom for a long time. Hobbies came and went over the years but now that I have a career, I’m doing good to get dinner on the table! My favorite thing though, when I have the time, is spending time with family and friends!  And I do still love shopping! 

Thank you for taking the time to answer a few of our questions. As we close, is there anything else you would like to add?

As the holidays approach, and after writing this story, I am more aware than ever that some people have no one with whom they share a soul deep relationship. And then there are millions who have yet to recognize a touch from God. They’ve never heard the Good News or if they did they were too afraid or skeptical or scarred to believe. While the first group is sad, the second is heart-wrenching

This holiday season I challenge all of us (especially me sitting comfortably in my writer’s cave) to look around and ask God where we can extend a loving hand to a lonely soul. It’s costly, I know! I don’t have the time or energy, I know! But God’s burdens are light and easy. Let’s pray He shows us our particular burden for this season. A neighbor…a person at school or church or work…a stranger on the side of the road. Or it might be more challenging. God might tell you as you drive by a place to stop, go in and talk to a stranger. You might have to step out in faith that it’s really His voice you’re hearing (believe me, I’m preaching to myself here!). But why not? We’ve only this one life, this one chance to show some love, both ours and His. Let’s be fearless lovers of grace.

Just comment on this interview for a chance to win a signed copy of The Snowflake and some white chocolate flavored Snowflake coffee!