‘The Fault Between Us’ Author Q&A with Stephanie Landsem

Stephanie Landsem writes historical fiction for women, about women. She’s traveled the world in real life and traveled through time in her research and imagination. As she’s learned about women of the past, she’s come to realize that these long-ago women were very much like us. They loved, dreamed, and made mistakes. They struggled, failed, and triumphed. She writes to honor their lives and to bring today’s women hope and encouragement. Stephanie makes her home in Wisconsin with her husband, three ferocious cats, and a neurotic dog. Along with reading, writing, and research, she dreams about her next travel adventure—whether it be in person or on the page.

FF: What inspired this story?
Since my parents lived in Yellowstone at the time, I’ve heard stories of the Hebgen Lake Earthquake all my life but only recently realized that very few people know about the devastation it caused or its unlikely heroes and heroines. I wanted to write the story of this cataclysmic event and include my love for Yellowstone National Park and the adventurous nature of those who lived there in the 1950s—including my own mom and dad.

FF: What messages or themes do you focus on in this book?
Even as it chronicles a terrible night of tragedy, The Fault Between Us is a story of courage and hope—in life, in marriage, and in family relationships. Claire and Red, Bridget, and Frannie have wounds that were downplayed and dismissed, but never healed. Only when they have the courage to bring their hurts of the past into the light, can they hope for healing through the power of God’s love and their love for each other.

FF: How does faith play a role in this story?
Claire, Bridget, and Frannie struggle with their faith journey in different ways. Since her mother left them, Claire struggles to hope because hoping has hurt her too much. Her faith in both God and Red is tested in the ultimate struggle and she must decide whether she can find the hope to hold on. Bridget won’t let anyone close to her heart after her mother’s abandonment. As she prays for rescue in the dark night of the quake, she discovers that only through a courageous gift of her own heart to her suffering patients, can she not only help them but begin to heal her own wounds. Frannie doesn’t believe God listens to her, but she finds a spark of faith as she courageously attempts to save the victims of the earthquake. Her new faith pushes her to risk everything to save her sister when all hope seems to be lost.

FF: What about this book excited you while writing it, and what do you hope readers will learn?
My dad worked for the National Park Service all his life, and our family has a special connection to Yellowstone National Park, where my siblings and I were born and my parents lived for the first ten years of their marriage. I loved interviewing my mom and her three sisters—who all worked summers at the park in the 1950s—for authentic historical details and fun anecdotes. I hope readers will learn about the tragic Hebgen Lake Earthquake and be inspired by the heroes and heroines who faced darkness, wind, and rising water to save the victims on the night of the quake and during the days that followed.

FF: What are your passions and how do they impact your writing?
I grew up loving the outdoors—that will happen when you live all your life in or near national parks—and have a special love for Yellowstone. Many of our family stories revolve around snakes, bears, and the dangers and beauties of the park. I hope to share some of these with my readers. I believe every American should get a chance to see “America’s Wonderland” and hope this book will inspire some summer vacations to our greatest national park. When I contemplate the Grand Prismatic, the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone, or Old Faithful, I’m struck by God’s great love for us in giving us the wonder and beauty of the natural world.

FF: What do you find to be the most challenging part of the writing process? What advice would you offer young writers?
When writing historical fiction, my most difficult task is deciding what NOT to include. There are always so many interesting tidbits and fascinating information, trimming down the manuscript to keep the story moving is the hardest part. My advice to young writers is not to be afraid to delete even your favorite paragraphs in service to the story!

FF: What books or authors have shaped you recently?
Some of my favorite reads lately have been William Kent Krueger, a fellow Midwesterner whose historical fiction has deep and meaningful themes, beautifully descriptive prose, and is impossible to put down. I’m also a big fan of historical fiction by Roseanna M. White and historical romance by Julie Klassen and Mimi Matthews. And when I’m looking for a fun romantic read that puts me in a great mood, I look for a novel by Katherine Center. Every book teaches me something about writing and encourages me to become the best storyteller I can be.

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