Sometimes our imaginations cook up the perfect story from scratch.
Other times, life hands us the spark of the story and our imaginations use it as
a launching pad.
Such was the case with my first novella, Bluegrass Easter, released this
March in Love Inspired’s Easter Promises. Sure,
it’s the final story in my Kentucky Corners series, and it’s special for
that, but there’s another reason it captures my heart: the real-life spark of
the story. An avid knitter, I’d been getting regular updates from a yarn shop
and sheep farm in my area. One email chronicled the story of a
particularly...shall we say...romantic male sheep and the surprise population
explosion he brought to the ewes at the farm.
I ask you, how could a romance novelist--let alone one who knits--pass up a
courtship like that?
Any writer worth her salt (or in this case her fleece) wouldn’t leave it at just
a bunch of surprise sheep pregnancies. I had to find ways for this "bumper crop"
of lambs to take librarian Audrey Lupine to her emotional edge. It’s cruel, I
know, to take a control freak and send her beyond her coping, but the payoff is
so very sweet when she overcomes her challenges. That has a lot to do with the
charm and compassion of veterinarian Paul Sycamore and his precocious little
daughter. And like every good hero, he has a lot of growing to do himself. And
so we get to watch them "stretch into each other" as I like to put it. Change
and grow as a result of how life through them together. That’s the trick we
authors must master--to take something everyday (or even just a little ordinary)
and raise the stakes for maximum emotional impact. While most of us will never
have to face more lambs than we were counting on, every one of has had life push
us beyond our abilities. I know I’ve had more than my share in the past year.
Which is why I knit. It’s my stress release, my non-writing creative outlet (I
believe every writer must have another creative outlet besides words). Simply
put, knitting is my passion. If I found a $50 bill in a parking lot with a note
attached saying "you have the next two hours free to spend this," I’d make a
bee-line for the yarn store (okay, I might stop at Starbuck’s on the way). It’s
why Bluegrass Easter was such fun for me--I got to combine my passion for
storytelling with my obsession with yarn. I’d like to think that fun comes
through in the story. Tell me, what are your passions? Do you read (or write)
books about them, or are your fiction cravings drawn in other directions?
I love to garden, cross stitch read, and cook. These are also great ways to express myself as well as be a little creative and reduce stress. That's a win-win. (Robin McKay 9:20am February 24, 2010)
I love to read. Beyond that I have a lot of interest in technology/gadgets, environment & politics. But in my reading, I love contemporary funny romances, romantic suspense & urban fantasy. A little all over the place. I think I enjoy the escapism that books offer. I'm in them for the pure entertainment value. (Summer Sharp 12:11pm February 24, 2010)
After my family, my biggest passion is reading with a side of gardening thrown in. (Lisa Richards 2:15pm February 24, 2010)
How perfect that you could combine both of your loves in one special project. I am anxious to read 'Easter Promises'. (Rosemary Krejsa 5:20pm February 24, 2010)
Love to read, but then I knit, embroider, sew & crochet. I always have a project on the go. (Mary Preston 5:42pm February 24, 2010)
Allie, I've really enjoyed your Kentucky Corners books. I was first drawn to them because my hubby is a Kentucky boy, plus I love your story-telling! I've always loved to do handwork, knitting, crocheting, embroidery of many forms, and lots of sewing, from playclothes for my kids to wedding dresses for daughters. I'm now learning tatting from a young mom, when her daughters and my granddaughter are in dance class. I agree, we need these outlets, especially when we're stressed. But I learned my lesson years ago when I was knitting a sweater while watching a particularily scary movie. I looked at the sweater sleeve afterwards and the rows I knitted during that movie were so tight I had to rip them all out! Sherry (Sherry Weddle 5:53pm February 24, 2010)
I tried knitting, but never got past the flat stage and into sleeves and such. But I have crocheted just about anything one can. And, as you mention with knitting is great for calming one's nerves. I also love gardening, both flower and vegetable gardening. And reading, of course. I keep a book going at all times. My problem is too many interests. I find I need more than 24 hours in a day. LOL (Gladys Paradowski 7:47pm February 24, 2010)
I like to solve mysteries and read them. I am too hyper to knit. I like your books though, I'm from Kentucky. (Vikki Parman 9:42pm February 24, 2010)
Reading is about it for me; I do knit but not much anymore, I sew but not often either, love crochet but no time for it. (Diane Sadler 10:44pm February 24, 2010)
These are so fun to read. I've always maintained knitters are readers and readers are knitters, but it seems readers are also crocheters, seamstresses, and gardeners. I'm waiting to meet the reader- chocolatier...there's a combo I'd enjoy! (Allie Pleiter 11:31pm February 24, 2010)
I'll have to get this book for my daughter. She will enjoy it. We are pretty careful with our animals, the are all doomed to non-reproductive lives when they join the family whether they are, dogs, cats, sheep, goats, or llamas. My passion is reading. Hard to choose just one topic. It really depends on my mood. (Patricia Barraclough 12:49pm February 25, 2010)
I love to read and and trying to instill that passion in my kids but they have not caught the bug I have for it yet --- like scrapbooking, and most crafty things to do with color/drawing and making a mess:) Puzzles are also good. (Kelly Holt 2:08am February 25, 2010)
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