I’m excited about our interview today with novelist Lorna Seilstad. Lorna writes historical romance and her latest novel, A Great Catch, the second in the Lake Manawa Summers series, releases this month.
Welcome to The Literary Mama, Lorna. Tell us a little about yourself.
I’ve called Iowa home her whole life. I received her B.S. in education from Lubbock Christian University. After my first child was born, I quit teaching and became a professional wiper. I wiped noses, tears, skinned knees, baby’s bottoms, and countertops every day. But at naptime, I wrote. Today, I write historical fiction with a generous dash of humor, and lives in Iowa with her husband and three children–ages 19, 17, and 12.
I grew up attending antique auctions with her parents, and from that, grew a love for history. The love of Oreos is all my own.
When I’m not writing or chauffeuring her kids around, I teach Bible classes, working with my 4-H club, or bake cookies.
*Tell us about your writing journey.
In 4th, 5th, and 6th grade, I had the same teacher for English. Every Friday, we had a creative writing assignment. For example, we might come to school and find footprints taped to the walls and ceiling and we were supposed to write about how they got there. I loved it.
After my first child was born, I decided I wanted to stop teaching and stay home. I did daycare for teachers, but I needed something. I went back to my first writing love of fiction
In 2000, I started writing fan fiction online. I wrote at a site called romancefanfiction.net. There were a lot of wonderful writers there, and it was a wonderful place to learn and find my voice. I started working toward publication in 2007.
I went to my first ACFW conference in 2008. There, I met Andrea Doering from Revell in one of editor interviews. My first contract, for the three books in the Lake Manawa Summers Series, came from that interview.
*What is A Great Catch about?
She wants to change the world.
He wants to change her mind.
It’s the beginning of a new century at Lake Manawa resort in Iowa, but some things never change. When Emily Graham’s meddlesome aunts and grandmother take it upon themselves to find her a husband among the resort guests, the spunky suffragist is determined to politely decline each and every suitor. She has neither the time nor the need for a man in her busy life.
Carter Stockton, a recent college graduate and a pitcher for the Manawa Owls baseball team, intends to enjoy every minute of the summer before he is forced into the straitlaced business world of his father.
When their worlds collide, neither Emily nor Carter could have guessed what would come next. Will Carter strike out? Or will Emily cast her vote for a love that might cost her dreams?
*How did you come up with the concept for A Great Catch and the Lake Manawa Summers series?
When the resort park at Lake Manawa closed, my grandfather purchased one of the bath houses there for $300. He moved it to a lot on what had once been the Midway and made it into a house. That is the home where my dad lived as a boy. He told me stories about the area, and after I did a some research, I knew I had to write a story there.
*How much research do you undertake while writing historical fiction?
It takes a lot of research. I don’t just want to get the facts right, I want to get the feel of the times right. I read a lot of newspapers of that day besides doing the other research. I love research, though. It’s like a treasure hunt.
*Where do you see yourself in five years?
Hmmm. I see myself still writing, but I hope I have my office fixed up by then. My office is in the basement and it’s really cold in the winter. I have to wear gloves without fingertips.
*What other new projects do you have in the future?
Right now, I’m finishing up the third book in the series. It’s about Lilly and a roller coaster designer. I have another book series in the proposal stage.
*What is one thing people may be surprised to know about you?
I can tell time without wearing a watch. It’s a strange ability, but I never wear a watch and I almost always know the time within about five minutes. I didn’t tell my kids that I could do this for a long time, but they know now, so they like to test me at random times.
*How can readers get in touch with you?
I love to hear from readers. I can be contacted through my website www.lornaseilstad.com, on Facebook, and on Twitter.
Thanks for stopping by today!
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