FF: What was the inspiration behind The Silent Spy?
This Faith & Liberty Series is particularly dear to my heart because of the blend of the heroes and challenges of America’s Patriot fathers 250 years ago in their struggle for liberty. The thing that I love is the research into the small bits that did not make it into your American History class.
In The Silent Spy, readers see the clash of belief systems of a young Quaker woman and a Continental soldier. This makes for an interesting story arc to resolve their mutual problem.
FF: How did you go about building the world in The Silent Spy?
There has been much written about the challenges faced by the men and women of the colonies. Research into the history of the occupation of New York, the British prison ships, General Washington’s spy ring, and the beliefs of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) were all part of the preparation for this book.
FF: What do you want readers to take away after reading The Silent Spy?
This novel poses an interesting contradiction of the pacifist beliefs of the young Quaker protagonist contrasted by the war all around her. The beauty of this book is the growth in her understanding that her faith is limited without action. The same is true today.
FF: What do you love the most about writing historical fiction?
I love the research. I become the first learner. When I discover some little-known fact, event, or person, it is very satisfying. Then, to incorporate that bit of history into the story enhances the story and the reader’s satisfaction. I like to attach references for the historical tidbits at the end of the book.
For the Faith & Liberty Series, I love helping a reader discover the significance of the sacrifice and faith of both the famous founding fathers as well as the ordinary people whose names have been lost to time. In our day and age, there is a connection and a realization that we still need ordinary people to step into the gap between good and evil and make a stand.
FF: Why do you think storytelling is such a powerful way to share truth?
When an author tells the story of believable characters and the real-life challenges they face, readers identify and learn from the character’s journey. I love when a reader tells me how they laughed till they cried on one page, then on the next page the reader is moved to tears by the emotional pull of the moment.
Readers may not remember the details of a story, but they remember how they feel as they read.
FF: What other books are you working on?
There are still several more stories to finish writing in the Faith & Liberty Series. But when those are done, I am considering jumping to another historical series. I love the surprises of a history that we thought we knew. Or maybe a contemporary Christian Western family series. I am still too far out to lock in which direction is next.
