Melody Carlson has written more than 200 books (with sales around 6.5 million) for teens, women and children. That’s a lot of books, but mostly she considers herself a “storyteller.” Her novels range from serious issues like schizophrenia (Finding Alice) to lighter topics like house-flipping (A Mile in My Flip-Flops) but most of the inspiration behind her fiction comes right out of real life. Her young adult novels (Diary of a Teenage Girl, TrueColors, etc.) appeal to teenage girls around the world. Her annual Christmas novellas become more popular each year. She’s won a number of awards (including Romantic Time’s Career Achievement Award, the Rita, and the Gold Medallion) and some of her books have been optioned for film/TV. Carlson has two grown sons and makes her home in the Pacific Northwest. To find out more about Melody Carlson, visit her website at http://www.melodycarlson.com/.
FF: What inspired the idea of a “messy Christmas intervention” as the way for Olivia and her dad to bring Jane around?
It was a combination of things. Partly from watching people I care about obsessing over details of Christmas that I felt were not in anyone’s best interest and partly from a friend who was dealing with some OCD (obsessive compulsive tendencies) and just wanting everyone to lighten up their expectations of creating a ‘perfect’ Christmas. Jane basically needed help. And it seemed both a fun and perhaps helpful premise.
FF: Jane and the McEntires represent two very different approaches to the holidays—perfectionism versus joyful chaos. What drew you to explore that particular clash?
Because I’ve known people in both of those ‘camps’ I thought it presented a dichotomy full of opportunity and to be honest, I can relate to both. At one time, when I was young and more energetic, I wanted to create a ‘perfect’ Christmas. But years and some hard knocks helped me to understand that Christmas was about people and unconditional love and acceptance. So I’ve tried to reform my thinking. So telling a story about two opposing families seemed a good way to explore that whole thing – and have fun.
FF: Without giving too much away, how does fate’s own “serendipitous mess” end up doing what Olivia and her dad’s plan couldn’t?
Well, Jane’s family did have a plan, but it turned out to be unnecessary. Fate or God intervened . . . or Jane made some choices . . . but all led to a pretty splendific mess that no one could’ve contrived. And it was just what Jane needed to get her attention. Sometimes life does that!
FF: You’ve written so many beloved Christmas novellas over the years—what keeps drawing you back to the holiday season as a setting for your stories?
As a child, my grandparents provided us with Christmas. My single mom worked or went to school and just didn’t have the capacity to do that. So Christmas became very special to me. Also it was my late husband’s birthday. And of course, what better time to think about the first Christmas and what that meant – or how it was imperfectly perfect. I love that.
FF: What do you hope readers who relate to Jane—or to families who struggle to blend traditions and expectations—take away from her journey?
I hope everyone will just pause to remember what Christmas is really about. Not all the fa-la-la and decor and festivities. But about loving each other, forgiving each other, just being together without unrealistic expectations. I think that’s more reflective of the original Christmas and why God sent his son.
FF: Is there a favorite scene or line from the book that still makes you smile?
Of course, the bathroom scene with Jane just makes me laugh. Part of that is inspired by real life. You have to watch out when you tell me stories, I warn people “I am a novelist and anything you say or do can be used in a book!”
FF: What role does faith play in Olivia and Malcolm’s story, and in Jane’s own transformation?
Not sure what this question was. But I did love Jane’s transformation and think it wouldn’t have happened without both crazy circumstances and loving kindness from those around her. I love that.
FF: For longtime fans of your Christmas novellas, what do you hope feels familiar in this one, and what feels fresh?
I hope the theme of grace stands out. I want that for all my books. But I hope there’s always room to tell a story in a fresh new way – and I can say this one is unlike any I’ve told before.
