Carla Gade joins us tonight with her debut book! (Interview & Giveaway)

Katie: Carla, welcome to Legacy of a Writer! To begin with, can you tell us a little about yourself? What was your journey to publication like?

Carla: I’m a native New Englander, raised in Massachusetts, now living in rural Maine for the past 10 years with my husband and two young adult sons. My journey was long and I had to lay down my dreams at times, entrust them to the Lord. There were many seasons in my life filled with other priorities than the pursuit of publication, but writing was always something I had to do. Hard work and prayer go hand and hand and when the timing was right, God opened the door. God provided me with a fabulous mentor, Susan Page Davis, a novel request, and a literary agent. I signed 3 book contracts before my first one, The Shadow Catcher’s Daughter, was even published. I’m still in awe.

Katie: I've seen Susan's books around--she sounds like an awesome mentor! How long did you write before you were published?

Carla: Over twenty years ago I had aspirations of getting published. At that time I wrote articles, devotionals, and stories for my children. For the past 12 or so years I’ve been writing inspirational historical fiction “stories” and began my pursuit to learn the craft of writing for publication and preparing to be an author. There is so much more involved than writing, including continued learning, research, networking, marketing, etc..

Katie: Is there another author who has greatly influenced your writing?

Carla: Catherine Palmer was the first Christian author that I read and inspired me to write inspirational fiction. Ruth Axtell Morren’s novels have also had a great impact on my writing. I aspire to write rich, meaningful stories as they do.

Katie: Yes, Catherine Palmer certainly has a lot of books out there!! How do you get the inspiration for your book, Shadow Catcher’s Daughter?

Carla: The concept was presented to me for the historical series Love in Four Corners by Darlene Franklin, another wonderful mentor of mine. She invited me and Susan Page Davis for this series, each of us setting our novel in a different time period relating to the Four Corners Monument at the intersection of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. The Shadow Catcher’s Daughter is first in the series as it takes place during one of the earliest surveys. When I did my research, I became fascinated with the idea of my characters joining a survey expedition, fictitiously of course, though the survey is an historical event. I appointed Yiska as the guide and Eliana as a photography assistant. By the way, shadow catcher is what Native Americans called photographers, thus the title!

Katie: Oh really? That is too cool! I love the title of the book, btw! So, what's your favorite scene?

Carla: I think it must be the first kiss. It takes place at twilight, in a wide open space overlooking the Rio Grande, with a backdrop of snow-capped mountains. It makes me sigh just thinking about it! I hope readers will sigh, too.

Katie: Sounds really sweet--and very "sigh"worthy! I can't wait to read it. :-) What was the hardest scene to write?

Carla: The big reveal. Eliana has secrets, and others do too. They all come to light during a heart wrenching scene. I cried my way through writing it. I had to share the truths, convey strong emotions, and offer the promise of hope at the same time. My step-father had died just a few weeks before this so my emotions were raw and I brought that to the writing. But I also think it was healing for me to write through my grief. I dedicated the book to him.

Katie: Wow, that sounds so heart-touching. I look forward to reading and experience that scene. If Shadow Catcher’s Daughter was turned into a movie, which actors do you think would best portray what you imagined for your main characters? Can you describe a few main physical features that they have?

Carla: A movie, every writer’s fantasy! Kiowa Gordon would be great for Yiska, who is half Navajo. Tawny skin, dark almond shaped eyes, brown hair to his shoulders, and an adorable grin.

I actually used a model’s image for my Eliana inspiration. Light brown hair, bright hazel eyes, winsome expression.

Katie: Love your choices!! Do you have any other books in the making? Can you give us a lil’ sneak peak of what it’s going to be about?

Carla: My next book is my novella Carving a Future in the Colonial Courtships (Barbour) coming out in October. Set in 18th century New England along the Connecticut River where a ship’s figurehead carver rescues an indentured servant from her imminent demise. She works at his family’s inn and he will carve her likeness into a figurehead. Very romantic stuff in a time period I adore. In fact, I’m currently writing a novel set in colonial Boston for Abingdon’s Quilts of Love series called Pattern for Romance. You can learn more about my books on my blog.

Katie: Fun Stuff! Here’s a fun question I wanted to throw in: If you could pick any historical figure from history to chat with, whom would it be and why? (Besides Jesus ;-)

Carla: I’d love to chat with Rev. George Darley who has a place in The Shadow Catcher’s Daughter. His book “Pioneering the San Juans” was a great resource for me during the research for my novel. He was a remarkable man who was a missionary to Western Colorado where at the time of my novel in 1875 there were no churches yet. He preached in the mines and saloons.

Katie: Wow, sounds like an inspiring guy! Do you like to read as much as you like to write? Who is your favorite author?

Carla: I’m an avid reader, but I do have several favorite authors. Among them Catherine Palmer, Darlene Franklin, MaryLu Tyndale, Ruth Axtell Morren, Susan Page Davis, Laura Frantz, and Julie Klassen.

Katie: I have also read (and love!) books by Laura Frantz and Julie Klassen! Aside from writing, what takes up most of your time?

Carla: Research. I love to research not only for my novels, but general history and genealogical topics. I’m an autodidact and an information horde. A bit of a nerd, I suppose.

Katie: Research IS fun, in my opinion! Anything else about writing, yourself, or your books you’d like to add? Where can people find you?

Carla: I’d just like to encourage everyone to give your dreams and your longings to the Lord. He knows how to satisfy the deep longings of your heart, even in ways that we cannot imagine. Sometimes our expectations of how they will be met bring us disappointment. Relinquish them to him and trust that he will fulfill his purpose for you in his way, in his timing, for your best and his glory.

I blog at Writing to Distraction - http://writingtodistraction.blogspot.com. From there you can find my links to Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest (where I have more pics about The Shadow Catcher’s Daughter and my other books).

Katie: Thanks for all the links. Be sure to check her out, guys!!

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