Lynn Lovegreen, Writing Alaskan Historical Romance for Young Adults

Lynn Lovegreen grew up in Alaska, and still lives there. She taught for twenty years before retiring to make more time for writing. She enjoys her friends and family, reading, and hitting targets with a cowboy action shooting club. Her young adult historical romances are set in the Alaska Gold Rush, a great time for drama, romance, and independent characters. See her website at. You can also find her on Facebook and Pinterest.

Welcome to my blog, Lynn! Please tell us about your latest book, Golden Days.

Golden Days is the next novel in my Gold Rush series. Here’s the blurb: Alaska is a cold place to live until love blossoms. Elizabeth Robinson travels by dog sled to help her family mind the store in Fairbanks, Alaska. She wants to pursue her drawing and painting, but women artists are rare in 1906, and flood, fire, and a death in the family force her to take charge at home at age seventeen. James Garrett comes north to help his uncle at a nearby gold claim. An awkward eighteen-year-old who is more at home with machines than people, he becomes a man as he falls in love with Elizabeth. When a discovery about her benefactor, the founder of the town, threatens their future, Elizabeth and James find that together they can overcome any obstacle.

What led you to write this story?

I knew I wanted to write about Fairbanks, Alaska, and the more research I did, the more fascinating stories I discovered. It was a Gold Rush boomtown, of course, but the floods, fire, and mixing of cultures were also interesting aspects of the history. Plus, the founder’s (E. T. Barnette’s) life had plenty of drama that I could bring into the story. About the only thing I had to invent were my main characters. For that part, I created two young people who hold big dreams, and they grow closer as they help each other through their hardships. Their falling in love was the most fun for me to write.

How do you schedule or find time for your writing? What does your average day look like?

I’m lucky enough to be retired. I consider writing my job, and average five days a week. I usually do my creative writing in the morning. Then I take a break for lunch and yoga class or a walk. In the afternoon I do my business writing, checking emails, posting to social media, etc. I’m pretty good about sticking to my routine unless I have to work around traveling or meetings.

As a Christian author, what do you feel is the best way to weave God’s truth into your story?

I wouldn’t call myself a Christian author because religion doesn’t usually figure into my stories. But I do consider myself an inspirational author, in the sense that I hope to inspire readers to lead rich and meaningful lives. All my books feature love and strength in challenging times. 

Are you an introvert or extrovert? And why do you think this?

I am an introvert, because as much as I enjoy being with other people, I hit my limit after a certain number of hours. I need to spend quiet time by myself on a regular basis. I see my family and friends, participate in writing groups, etc., so I’m not a hermit. But I build time alone into my schedule as much as I can.

Which writing tasks do you procrastinate the most?

Setting up promotions! I have a hard time asking people for guest posts, interviews, etc. I’m shy about it because it feels like I’m inconveniencing people when they could be posting about something or someone else. It is silly, because most hosts (like you, Kathy) are very friendly and willing to help fellow authors. Thanks for your time and effort!

What keeps you motivated in your writing each day?

The fun of being creative. Even if I’m not feeling motivated that day, once I get going, I enjoy living in the worlds I create, seeing the characters in my mind. And of course, it’s nice to know that others might enjoy the story and find it inspiring. Now that I’m published and have readers, that’s in the back of my mind also.

Please tell us about your favorite and least favorite parts of marketing your book?

For me, writing the book is easier than writing the marketing. I find it a challenge to write the blurb, tagline, pick out the excerpts, etc. As I mentioned above, I also have a hard time putting myself out there to ask for time on other blogs and such.

My favorite part of marketing my books is interacting with fellow readers and writers. I did a Facebook party for my last book (Quicksilver to Gold) that was great fun, talking with people through posts and comments. And I enjoy writing my blogs and Facebook author posts and having conversations there.

What is your favorite book of the Bible? Would you care to share why?

I don’t have a favorite book, but my favorite quote is from John 13:34: “Love one another.” That sums it up as far as I’m concerned. When we truly love one another, and act on that love instead of fear or prejudice, the world is a better place.

How has the Lord led you to become a writer? (What is your writing testimony?)

I believe that I was called to teach young people, to help them along the way as they navigate their teen years. Nowadays I am doing that with my books. I hope that seeing my characters overcome challenges will lead readers to know that they can overcome their own challenges.  My first audience is young adults, but I think all of us can be inspired by writing, young and old alike. I hope my books will do that for my readers, whether they are attracted to the history, romance, or other elements of my stories.

Thank you for sharing with us about your writing journey, Lynn!

Find her book at: http://www.prismbookgroup.com/goldendays.html
Contact her at: lynnlovegreen@gmail.com

Lynn's question for you: Elizabeth’s dream is to be an artist. What was your dream when you were young? (Or is your dream if you still are young?)

Leave a comment to be entered in a drawing for an ebook copy of Lynn's latest novel, Golden Days.

E is for Elephant Sanctuary!

Can you imagine having an elephant for a pet? I showed Mom the website for the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. I figured this way she would be grateful for how little room I take up, for the small amounts of food I devour and that cleaning my princess potty isn’t, let’s just say, a nightmare. Can you imagine cleaning out an elephant’s?

I’m not sure if I would have the guts to ride up that high, on the back of one of those enormous creatures. Check out this video of a baby elephant and a cat. I think the elephant is disrespecting the orange cat big time, but the cat has reason to fear. I’d hate to get stepped on by one of those huge elephant feet.

At least we’re safe from stampeding elephants thanks to the Elephant Sanctuary. (Mom says I'm overreacting here.) When elephants need to be retired from zoos or performances, they can find a home there. They take in elephants like Shirley, who had been crippled and forced to perform or defensive elephants like Sissy, who were thought to be violent, but were lonely and very depressed. These are just a couple of cases. There are many other elephants they've taken in.

The elephants at the sanctuary are able to live in a natural habitat refuge, they’re fed and given toys to play with, as well as medical care. They are almost as spoiled as I am! But now you know where to send your female elephants if they step on your cat by accident, or your dog--or you just think it's time to send them someplace nice for elephants--The Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tennessee!

You can even see how they're doing sometimes on the Elecam.

There are all sorts of fun videos from the sanctuary on Youtube, like the one below.
Enjoy!

What do you think of elephants? Please share! We love your comments!

E -- 11/5

D is For Desperate!

D is for Desperate

Well now, I suppose you figured I would write something about dogs, but this is a problem. Everyone thinks that dogs are man’s best friend, while I’m trying to convince humans that they should be a cat’s best friend. Instead, I am going to share what I am most desperate for---meat! Melted cheese is a close second, though.

I simply love meat. There’s nothing like it. I do not care about what kind of meat it is. It could be from a cow, a pig or a chicken, though I guess chicken is technically poultry. All right, I guess I’m also desperate for poultry . . . and fish, too. My meals have to be broken up into smaller portions, because of my tummy trouble. This simply means I get to annoy Mom multiple times a day, reminding her that I am HUNGRY! I never quite get filled up.

There’s breakfast, and if Mom comes home after being out part of the morning, I try to scam her into second breakfast. The hobbitses had a great idea! I give her my best pathetic, “but you completely forgot to feed me this morning and then you left me” look. Unfortunately, she’s onto me, especially when I do this several times a day. I also like to dance around at meal time, jumping onto my corner of the counter or pacing near the kitchen island and saying, “Mrraw, mraww. Mraww, mraww,” in a high-pitched voice. She likes it when she thinks I’m trying to say “Mama.” Yeah, right. It’s cat for, “Feed me now and I’ll stop thinking about slashing your ankles.”

Helping Mom with her dinner.

I must admit Mom can even coax me back into the house, when I escape into the yard, by rattling a saucer on which she serves my delicious canned food. It’s meat, er, poultry-based. I like to turn up my nose at the readily available kibble in my bowl, unless she’s not looking. Hee hee!

Desperation for meat has driven me to deception, false humility, loss of dignity and honor, all for the purpose of begging for those juicy animal-flavored morsels. Even I, a regal cat, will lower my standards to get meat!

What food/treat is your dog or cat most desperate for? And what about you? Mom would confess to dark chocolate or ice cream or perhaps dark chocolate on ice cream. Or spaghetti, but not all three at the same time.

D -- 10/29

C is for Christmas Tree Kitty and Christmas Stories!

C is for Christmas Tree Kitty and Christmas Stories! 

I’ll bet you thought I would say, “C is for cat” this week. Well, duh! That’s not very original, so I thought I’d go one step further and make it a Christmas kitty! Yes, this is I in our Christmas tree, when it was new, two years ago. It’s fun to climb, but instead of upsetting Mom, she started taking pictures, which is a pain, so I try not to be as cute in the tree any more.

Why am I bringing up Christmas? Because my mom has been bugging me all week to share her excitement about her latest story, “Special Assignment,” coming out in the anthology, Christmas Treasures: A Collection of Christmas Short Stories, yet this year. I suppose I should be excited, too, as I am her chief inspiration to write. I like to sleep on her lap for hours, so that she won’t get up and leave the computer, though I haven’t been doing my job very well this week. Mom’s been busy and leaving me alone a lot, so I am snubbing her.

Of course, I must mention Mom’s not the only writer in this collection. Here are the other wonderful authors: Joanne Sher, Karlene Jacobsen, April Strauch, Elaine Stock, Susan Craft, Donna Scofield, Karla Akins, Anne Garboczi Evans, Karen C. Prough, Karen Wingate, Linda Glaz, Christina Rich. The collection is being compiled by Patty Wysong, my buddy, Toby the monkey’s, mom. So it has to be good!

This is so embarrassing! I better get an extra
treat for this!

Mom tells me there will be contemporary and historical stories in the lineup, which will make you laugh and cry. For a change, Mom’s is contemporary and a bit fanciful.  If you want something quick to read in the middle of a busy holiday season, or a fun gift to share, then look for Christmas Treasures: A Collection of Christmas Short Stories. We’ll let you know where to purchase it shortly, so stay-tuned!

Do you take time to read at Christmas? And what do you like to read? What does your cat or dog like to read? ;) We positively love your comments, so please leave one!

Wednesday Whimsy - A to Z Meme, as in B is for Bats!

B is for Bats!

I’m going to bet that Mom has never shared on this blog how I’ve saved her and Dad from bats—twice! Whenever they complain about my upkeep I am sure to remind them, let me tell you.

Very early one August morning, my thumping around on the footboard of my humans’ bed, woke Mom up. She asked me if I was batting at moths (no pun intended). We had quite the summer infestation of the insects from a bucket of sunflower seeds in the garage that year.

She went into the human litter box room and closed the door. Then Dad woke up and turned the light on. He saw my flying nemesis, most likely a brown bat, and yelled at Mom not to come out. He then used some fancy cowboy move with a shirt and lassoed the bat—well, actually picking the bat up and taking it outside to release it. And he lived to tell about it. Mom, in the mean time, was wondering why everything was so quiet. Finally Dad let her know it was safe. And why was it safe? Because I had set off the alarm! He just hadn't given me enough time to fight the bat to the death for their protection.

The second time Dad insists I didn’t really help. The bat got in through the furnace chimney, into the basement , and came up the stairs into the kitchen. Dad saw it first and warned Mom, who helpfully screamed and ran outside. I, on the other hand, was brave and helped corner the creepy critter. Yes, I did hear Dad tell me not to chase it and I was obedient, but observant. We cornered it in the living room curtains. This time Dad calmly went to get his work gloves and grabbed the bat to take it outside.

I am happy to report there were no bites or injuries. It could have been a lot worse if I hadn’t been here. No need to thank me. Just give me an extra treat!

Do you have a scary bat story? Or do you like bats? Inquiring minds want to know! We love your comments!

Monday Motivation: The Marathons of Life

With the Detroit Free Press/Talmer Marathon coming up, I admire those I know who are participating in one of the events. For various reasons, running hasn’t been something I’ve taken on for a long time. I’m just a boring walker. (Not of The Walking Dead zombie variety!)

{CC} license - free to share
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nbcornwall/8110812868/

I had been ignoring the weight gain of the last couple of years that is due to hormonal changes and stress, so I am now faced with the reality of changing some of my eating habits-- more vegetables for one, less on-demand chocolate for another. I’m also working on increasing my exercise, whether walking through the neighborhood, getting on the treadmill, popping a walking DVD into the player, or working out with weights.

Gone are the days in which I could work this hard and lose five pounds in a week. That’s been my problem lately, I want to give up too soon. I am trying to get it into my head and heart that lifelong fitness is a marathon, not a sprint.

Many other things are also like this in other areas of life. Broken relationships take time, love and patience to repair. Building a good marriage takes perseverance. Overcoming bad habits takes a relentless commitment to change. Writing a three or four hundred page novel doesn’t happen in a day. It can take months or years, but you have to take the first step by writing the first word, first paragraph, first page--and repeat.

Those preparing for the marathon this weekend didn’t start last week. They’ve been working at it for a long time. What might have seemed impossible at one time became doable, because they took the first step and kept moving forward.

What marathons are you facing in life today? Ask the Lord to guide you in your first steps to move in the direction He wants you to go.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.

(Hebrews 12:1-3)

Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to trust You today. Guide me to take steps and move forward in the direction you want me to go. Help me to persevere and not give up as I take one step, one day, one moment at a time. Thank you that Your mercies are new every day!

Please leave a comment--share something you are learning about walking in faith in the longterm. We love your comments!

A Fond Farewell to Wild Cat

Lilybit's Tribute to Wild Cat

Last year I had an interview with a wise old Wild Cat. She was a precious feline friend and muse to Mom’s writer friend, Elaine Stock. I’m sad to report that Wild Cat has passed away recently—at the ripe old age of around 19! (That has to be comparable to at least a 100-year-old human!)

Wild Cat helping her she-human, Elaine.

She gave good advice, too, saying the best feline muses take care of themselves first and then make sure their humans are happy and well rested, so they will be more productive. (Like I’d ever let that happen around here. It’s just too tempting to be a pest while they’re sleeping. Wild Cat was much nicer than I am.) Not only was she a great muse and liked to cuddle Elaine while she was writing, but she also helped her he-human, Wally, restore pianos. (See photo below.)

This was Wild Cat in her younger days. (Her he-human restores pianos for
a living and she's making sure this piano doesn’t walk away.)

In her earlier years, Wild Cat was at the bottom of the pecking order with two cat siblings, though she had enjoyed snuggling with them on top of clean laundry in a basket. Since they went on to kitty glory about nine years ago, Wild Cat had reigned supreme. She liked to keep Elaine company at her 3 a.m. breakfast and often enjoyed a few stray muffin crumbs. Though quieter than her name suggested, Wild Cat did like to bellow at dinnertime, waiting for her own, well-deserved taste of Elaine’s dinner.

No more will Elaine and Wally see Wild Cat's ears peeking through the window while she waited for them to come home. And even though she tried to disguise her gladness at their return, as she thumped down off the trunk by the window where she waited, they knew she cared.

Wild Cat is greatly missed and onto her eternal reward, which I believe must include an all-you-can-eat tuna buffet, mice to chase (Hey, it’s not their heaven.), and laser beams to attack, while running through a meadow of sweet smelling grass! And when she’s tired, she can nap in the sunshine. So I say a fond “good-bye” to my elderly friend, Wild Cat, who lived a full and delightful feline life with her humans, Elaine and Wally.

See you on the other side someday, Wild Cat. May you eat, nap, run, and play
in peace.