Author Interview ~ Darlene Franklin

Award-winning author and speaker Darlene Franklin returned to cowboy country—Oklahoma. The move was prompted by her desire to be close to her son’s family. 

Darlene loves music, needlework, reading, and reality TV. She has published several titles with Barbour Publishing, including her two latest releases, A Bride’s Rogue in Roma, Texas, and Merry Christmas, With Love, in Postmark: Christmas. She has also written two books in the Texas Trails series with RiverNorth Fiction, Lone Star Trail and A Ranger’s Trail. 

To learn more about Darlene and her work, check out her blog at http://darlenefranklinwrites.blogspot.com. 

You have a new book about to release. Tell us the title and give a short blurb about it. 

I have two books coming out in September: A Bride’s Rogue of Roma, Texas and Postmark: Christmas. A Bride’s Rogue is a historical romance where a straight-laced Victorian maiden inherits a steamboat from the father she never met—along with the resident gambler. 

Postmark: Christmas is a contemporary Christmas novella anthology with Paige Winship Dooley, Kathleen Kovach and Paula Moldenhauer. All four stories center around the post office in Christmas, Florida. 

I know you’ve had some health issues lately, and we’ve been praying you’d soon be better. How have you been able to keep up with your writing schedule during this time? 

God’s grace! I watched the months of March, April, May, and June, fly by; I was in the hospital for two long stretches. I entered July with most of five novellas left to write and edit. God led me to a nursing home, at last I began getting stronger, and I worked 8-10 hour days. Now I am striving to reach more realistic, easier, goals, so that I don’t end up in the same position. And I’ve also learned that I can’t count of feeling well tomorrow. Along the way, so many people have lifted me up in prayer. Two members of my local ACFW group spent hours with me when I had to complete edits on the two books that just came out. I couldn’t have done it without everyone’s support. 

You are a multi-published author. What one thing that you’ve experienced on your writing journey is the most memorable for you? 

How do I choose one? I remember getting the email about my first book (Romanian Rhapsody, published in 2005.) It arrived on Thanksgiving Eve. Quite a big thanksgiving gift! But the most memorable would have to be the release of my second book, Gunfight at Grace Gulch, in March 2008. I received my author copies only days after my daughter’s death. As during my recent illnesses, the entire Christian writing community came together to support me through the most traumatic period of my life. 

What are some of the spiritual themes that you write about in your books? 

A friend once said my characters are always “wounded,” and I have come to see that truth. My tagline is “writing at the crossroads of love and grace.” I am most drawn to characters who battle internal struggles while working out the problems life throws their way. God’s love overcomes all. 

Stephen King said to be a good writer you must read a lot and write a lot. What is the last book you read that you would recommend to someone else to read? 

I am currently reading a book by Laurie Kingery, The Preacher’s Bride. It’s the kind of book I like to write. . .the heroine has lost her faith but is drawn to the preacher. Talk about internal and external conflict! 

What do you want readers to take away after reading your book? 

 In A Bride’s Rogue, the primary take away is that God’s plan for each of us is as unique as we are. My heroine was raised in a very legalistic environment, but she grows and discovers what God has planned for her. Not to mention how the gambler turns into a godly man. 

What are you working on now? 

I am working on my first book with Love Inspired/Heartsong: Hidden Dreams. Hidden Dreams is both a sequel to the three books in the Maple Notch Brides trilogy as well as the first book of Maple Notch Dreams. 

What advice would you give to writers who are still waiting to sell their first book? 

Persistence is key. Persistence, and a willingness to take criticism and learn from it. I call myself overnight-success-after-twenty-years. If I can be called successful! 

~ Author Interview by Sandra Robbins.