It may not be true of all novelists, but one of the aspects of storytelling I
find soul-satisfying is the ability to experiment with careers I never had,
visit places I’ve never seen, own businesses, experience adventures, and tackle
intriguing dreams that belong to my characters.
I had more than my fair share of fun inventing the storyline and setting for
this year’s Christmas novel—RESTORING CHRISTMAS. I fell
in love with old fieldstone farmhouses when visiting Pennsylvania last January.
Assuming I’ll likely never have the opportunity to own one, I pulled out my
laptop and wrote a lovely, slightly lopsided version into the novel. I could
almost feel the smooth wood on the banister to the second floor, “see” the view
from the front porch, hear my footsteps—or rather, the characters’ footsteps—on
the well-worn hardwood floor.
Since long before HGTV reached its current state of popularity, I’ve dreamed of
restoring old houses—with someone else’s sweat equity and financial investment.
My dream had no blisters or hammered thumbs. Instead, I’d be the one designing
the restoration and supervising those who don’t mind dirt, dust, and
perspiration. Have to replace the knob-and-tube wiring? Need to reorder the
kitchen cabinets? My job would be to report the expense and delay, not to find
the financing. Whose dream includes having to wrestle with expense sheets and
sensible accountants?
Vicariously, I look over imagination’s possibilities—using floorboards from the
hayloft to replace the wood damaged when the cat learned how to turn on the
faucet in the bathroom. I sit at my computer and decide how much shiplap is
enough. I fan through color swatches online and choose the perfect paint color
for the shutters and the massive kitchen island, without getting a speck of
paint on my clothes. I choose the perfect claret-colored antique sofa from a
second-hand shop despite its real price tag.
We novelists may whine about the cost of printer ink, about sorry word count
days, about long hours, and running out of coffee at the exact wrong moment. But
we can’t deny the job perk of the imaginary adventures we’re allowed to
experience through the lives of our characters.
We share that sense of wonder with our readers, too. We authors issue the
invitation, “Come, be Alexis for these 250 pages. Discover what she found so
charming about Gabe. Hear his laughter and let it soothe you, too. Sit with
Alexis at the massive kitchen island that was once the floor of a bowling alley
when she makes the connection—as the author did—between restoration and Christmas.”
It’s what we do. Whether reading the story or writing it, we step into a world
that may look nothing like our own, live there for a while, and unearth what the
characters unearth about one another, about themselves, and about the grand
scenes of life.
Cynthia Ruchti is a speaker and author of more than 20 award-winning novels
and nonfiction books. She tells stories hemmed in hope, drawing from 33
years of experience writing and producing a daily 15-minutes scripted radio
broadcast. Her latest release is Restoring Christmas, from Worthy
Inspired. You can connect with her through website, hemmedinhope.com or
Facebook. She and her husband live in the heart of Wisconsin.
Alexis Blake has one chance to land her own show on the Home Project Network
and nothing, not an uncooperative client, a job site without indoor plumbing, or
a challenging videographer, is going to stand in her way. Elsie, at
seventy-plus, is far from the ideal client, but she knows exactly what she wants
her fieldstone house to look like, and no designer can tell her otherwise. Gabe
Langley, the man with the camera, is caught in the middle and it is his wisdom
and warmth that just may be the bridge that will bring these two women together.
Can they restore more than just a house and bring about special, almost lost
forever Christmas memories?
I love this column on seeing the possibilities and bringing them to fruition! always hope! (Kathleen Bylsma 1:52pm November 19, 2016)
I love your blog and can't wait to read your book!!! (Bonnie Capuano 8:41am November 20, 2016)
Wonderful post and feature. (Sharon Berger 5:19pm November 20, 2016)
Loved your column. It made me want to read your book and your life sounds so interesting. (Carol Woodruff 6:50pm November 20, 2016)
Enjoyed the post.I love watching the restoration of old houses but to actually do it, no thanks. :) I would love to read Restoring Christmas. Carol L Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com (Carol Luciano 7:43pm November 20, 2016)
Have you had any books on the Hallmark Channel yet? (Leona Olson 9:41am November 21, 2016)
Would love to read this book (Patricia Wagner 11:59am November 21, 2016)
Tis the season! Can't wait to read your book! Thanks for the opportunity! (Jamie Stein 2:09pm November 21, 2016)
Looking forward to reading your book (Jean Benedict 4:00pm November 21, 2016)
Great post and would love to read and post reviews on a few sites. I have to get into the mood for Christmas as disabled and can;t shop nor drive so i rely on good tv such as watching the restoring of house and such. (Peggy Clayton 12:33pm November 22, 2016)
I love feel good holiday stories. (Sue Farrell 4:02pm November 22, 2016)
Sounds like a great read (Stephanie Allen 5:18pm November 22, 2016)
I had to look up shiplap to figure out that it's a rough- sawn pine re-purposed for remodeling like in HGTV fixer- uppers. Owning older homes is always opening a Pandora's Box, you never know what you'll find behind the walls and under the floorboards. We found hardwood under linoleum in 2 homes and hired a quality refinisher who made those oak floors as smooth as butter with a lot of sanding and coats of polyurethane. The floors ended up being good for sliding in socks for my kids. The knob and tube wiring was replaced in one home and we pretty much had it all rewired as long as the kitchen walls were apart. Good luck on your remodel and it's refreshing to learn about others up for the challenge of a home with age attached. (Alyson Widen 5:20pm November 22, 2016)
Great book cover. Thanks for sharing. (Yaritza Santana 6:35pm November 22, 2016)
cannot wait for your book to come out, i especially like reading holiday stories-keep up the great writing I sure do enjoy you books (Susan Atkins 8:49pm November 22, 2016)
Congrats on the new release! It sounds like a wonderful book for the holidays. Thanks for sharing. (Bonnie H 9:22pm November 22, 2016)
I pictured your house perfectly in your comment section, so I know that I'm going to enjoy your Christmas book!! Every year I say I'm going to read one, then I back out. This year, I think yours might just be my first one!! Congratulations on what I'm sure will be a big Christmas hit!! (Peggy Roberson 8:34am November 23, 2016)
Love the concept of the book. My hubby loves those shows and sometimes I watch. One is playing in the background as I type. Thanks for this opportunity. (Nancy Luebke 11:02pm November 23, 2016)
I love old homes. So much more personality than the new, 'cookie cutter' houses that no one seems to have designed with love. I can't wait to read your book. (Irene Menge 9:12am November 24, 2016)
I can't wait to read this book. (Mary Smith 11:26am November 25, 2016)
Your blog was very interesting. Truthfully, I enjoy seeing the results of a restored old home, but don't want to do it myself. (Anna Speed 12:37pm November 25, 2016)
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