I'm so happy to
welcome an Irish-born Canadian author to the Diamond Mine. Christine, your 2016
releases pique my interest, so let's plunge right into some
questions.
Please explain the
thinking behind your novel. When did the idea occur to you, and how?
How does this story tie in with your personal or family history?
The idea
to use the trade of riveters inspired Sofi’s
Bridge a number of years ago. My great grandfather and my
grandfather were riveters in the Belfast shipyard, and my grandfather’s very
first ship to work on as a 14-year-old apprentice was the Titanic. I always add that as a family we accept no responsibility
for the sinking of that infamous vessel.
I always wanted to write
something that featured that dangerous trade, but didn’t want to write another Titanic novel which had
been done to death. So I changed the riveting aspect to fit an Irishman’s
family and focused on how that played out in Washington State for a young woman who wanted
to design bridges.
Sofi’s Bridge is about work, either the kind that gives
us great fulfilment or the kind we have no choice but to accept. This ties in
with the creative soul who wants to make a living at their art. Are the creative dreams God gives us destined to be
the work of our hands?
What role does the
setting play? Is there some significance that would be lost in another setting?
How do specific geographical features play into the story?
I believe in
writing what I know so that my readers will feel the authenticity of my
settings. I know my valley here in British Columbia well, so I
moved the setting for Sofi’s Bridge to
the Cascade Mountains just across the border in Washington State. That way I know the very trees and shrubs, how
the wind blows, the patchwork quilt of farms and the fragrance of
freshly mown hay.
I also believe in
setting as a character. As the gorges narrow and the
Cascade mountains grow steeper, the wind funneling through those canyons
increases, a metaphor for the growing intensity
of hardship in our lives. Those hardships may derail us (like the train
crossing the gorge in my book), or with God’s help, that threatening wind will
pass over and around us because the fire of suffering refines us and makes us as strong as the steel bridge Sofi designed.
In addition, one of
my favorite places in the world is the alpine meadow in Manning Park. I thought
a romantic scene would be lovely with the ice blue glaciers on distant
mountains seemingly at arm’s length, and the alpine flowers creating a carpet
of primary colors.
How do you perceive
your characters interacting with readers? (Or vice-versa) Do certain character
arcs take precedence, and how so?
I prefer character arcs for some of my secondary characters as well as my hero and
heroine, to add depth. Unless a story has a strong moral
premise, I’m quickly bored, so I aim to make my characters totally
believable. By showing their weaknesses as well as their strengths, I hope readers will connect with Neil and Sofi, and feel “yeah, that could be me.”
A good novel should
give the reader an emotional experience, so the character arc must feel
authentic. I also try to avoid stereotypical characters. Even the ‘bad guys’
have a reason for being bad. For example, Charles the family busybody who
threatens Sofi’s sister, does the nasty things he does because his personal despair
drives him to do the unthinkable.
Tell us about your
title, please--is there a story behind your choice?
Sofi’s Bridge was the easiest title I ever came up with, and one that my
publisher kept. It’s short and succinct, and I never considered anything else
for this book. Same with Londonderry Dreaming. However, for my trilogy the titles Shadowed in Silk, Captured by Moonlight, and Veiled at Midnight took a lot more work to attain the same rhythm. But the hardest title of all to come up with, and the one
with the most revisions was my non-fiction book coming out this August, Finding Sarah—Finding Me: A
Birthmother’s Story.
And I'd also like
to learn how your new website fits in
with your writing. Can you give us a brief peek?
I work with only
one critique partner, Rachel
Phifer, who lives in Texas. We met at an
ACFW conference in 2008, and over the next few years both of us became Genesis
winners. We understandd each other’s writing so well. As a Canadian born in N. Ireland, it helps that Texan Rachel spent her childhood in
Africa as a missionary kid. She understands my British-ness and helps me make
my novels palatable for American readers.
As we worked
together, I later won some other awards for my books, and Rachel was nominated
for the ACFW Carol award. We work really well as a team, able to bridge
the gap between American readers and the rest of the world. We think of ourselves as more international writers who think outside
the box and see things in a global sort of way.
We wanted to share
some of the things we learned the hard way to help other writers on their
writing journey, so we just started Novel
Renaissance this January 2016.
Not only will we post a weekly topic on the craft of writing, but also offer
our critique and substantive editing services.
Tell us about your giveaway, Christine.
I’m giving away an Ebook of Sofi’s Bridge, and if readers sign up for my quarterly
newsletter, I do frequent giveaways.
Christine Lindsay is the author of multi-award-winning Christian
fiction. Tales of her Irish ancestors who served in the British Cavalry in
Colonial India inspired her multi-award-winning series Twilight of the British
Raj, Book 1 Shadowed in Silk, Book 2 Captured by Moonlight, and the explosive finale Veiled at Midnight.
Christine’s Irish wit and her use of setting as a character is evident
in her contemporary romance Londonderry Dreaming. Her newest release, Sofi’s Bridge, also features a dashing
Irish hero.
Christine and her husband
live on the west coast of Canada. In August 2016, is Christine’s non-fiction book Finding Sarah—Finding Me: A Birthmother’s Story releases.
Please drop by Christine’s website www.ChristineLindsay.org or follow her on Amazon or Twitter. Be her friend on Pinterest , Facebook, and Goodreads
10 comments:
Thank you Gail for having me as a guest today. It's a joy to tell others about my latest release Sofi's Bridge.
Sounds like an excellent read.
Enjoyed the interview and the book sounds like a really good one. I have also signed up for Christine's newsletter.
Gail, thank you for this wonderful interview with my friend Christine Lindsay. It was such a pleasure getting to know Christine at a deeper level than I already did. Sofie's Bridge just went to the top of my TBR list.
Christine, I am also looking forward to your upcoming book about finding your birth-daughter Sarah. May God continue to bless you as you use your God-given talents for His glory. Joyce * Heart"wings"
Sounds like a wonderful book
Thank you all for such encouraging comments. I hope to get to know each of you better as the days unfold. Blessings.
Book sounds so good! I just love it when debutants go against the grain ;)
Gail - Awesome interview!
Christine - It's makes such a difference when the author really knows the setting. Best of luck with your books.
Glad to read all your comments, and Christine, your novel obviously intrigues all comers--here's to many readers.
Thank you again to all these great comments. I too love it when a debutante goes against the grain. LOL
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