Best-selling author Darlene Franklin’s greatest claim to fame is that she writes full-time from a nursing home. She lives in Oklahoma, near her son and his family, and continues her interests in playing the piano and singing, books, good fellowship, and reality TV in addition to writing. She is an active member of Oklahoma City Christian Fiction Writers, American Christian Fiction Writers, and the Christian Authors Network. She has written over fifty books and more than 250 devotionals. Her historical fiction ranges from the Revolutionary War to World War II, from Texas to Vermont.
You can find Darlene online elsewhere at http://darlenefranklinwrites.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/darlene.franklin.3.
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Welcome to the blog, Darlene. I’m so happy to have you here today. Congratulations on your recent release, Small-Town Brides Romance Collection.
When did you first get the idea for your story in this collection and how long did it take you to write it?
Small-Town Brides Romance Collection has nine novellas total. My story, A Blessing for Beau, first appeared in Calico Brides. Ruth Fairfield has watched three of her closest friends find a mission close to home—along with love—throughout the year. She begins to think teaching and ministering to others as the pastor’s daughter is the mission God has for her—until Beau Blanton returns to Calico to take care of his orphaned niece and nephews. The only problem is that Beau doesn’t want any help and he doesn’t understand the children left in his care. I honestly don’t remember how long it took me to write it. In general, it takes me 2-3 weeks to write a novella and then just as long for edits. So a novella takes me 6-8 weeks. I don’t write fast.
Which character from your story are you most excited for readers to meet and why?
Hmm. The hero and heroine, of course, but the three children took my heart. Now I’ve chosen everybody! Perhaps the heroine, Ruth. She feels so ordinary, and that what she offers is so simple, that she doesn’t see herself as God sees her. I feel that way quite often.
Do you have a favorite setting, a particular place, from one of your books that you enjoyed spending time at with your characters?
I’ve written the most books set in Vermont and Texas. But what is my favorite? When I wrote Dressed in Scarlet, my mother and I spent a weekend at the Brown Palace in Denver when I was writing the novella—how I “suffered” for the sake of my art. I especially enjoyed my only foreign setting—Romania, the setting of my first book, Romanian Rhapsody.
What’s one of the strangest things you’ve had to research for a novel?
Perhaps the strangest thing I researched was how to “burn out” stumps. My book, Bridge to Love, was inspired by the story of Egypt, Vermont, which survived New England’s “Year of No Summer” (1816) by burning out stumps to keep the corn crop from freezing every month by burning out the roots of the stumps. That year, every month saw either freezing temperatures and/or snow—very few crops survived. My hero, like the farmer in Egypt, managed to grow his corn crop and sold seed corn to his neighbors at a reasonable price instead of making a fortune.
Wow, I’ve never heard of that before. Fascinating! You’ve written historical romances, mysteries, devotionals, and contemporary romance books. Is one genre easier to write than the others? If so, why?
Historical romances are probably the easiest for me to write now, because I written the most of them. Editors like my historical romances more than my contemporaries. Which makes me afraid for my mysteries, although I love writing them (I have a new series in the works.)
I bet it’s fun to mix it up. 🙂 Thank you so much for joining us today, Darlene! Is there anything else you’d like to add? Any upcoming projects you can share with us?
I spent April in a writing marathon. I wrote Matchmaking Mix-up, a Christmas novella which will be published in August this year. I also wrote The Gambler’s Daughter, which will be published in the Pony Express Romance Collection with Barbour next year. For the finish, I worked on my new mystery series: Nut Case from Mystery by the Case.
Wow! You’ve been busy! 😉 That’s great, Darlene. Looking forward to following your writing from here.
GIVEAWAY!!
Darlene has graciously offered to give away a copy of Small-Town Brides to one lucky reader! Enter below and it could be YOU!
Thanks for entering! Contest is open to US residents only and ends May 17, 2016. The winner will be notified by email. Happy Reading, everybody!
Thanks Darlene and Savanna! Darlene, do you normally have month long writing marathons? Bridge to Love sounds good too.
I love novellas. And novella collections are great! One of my favorites are the Hope for the Holidays and also the Summer Brides collection from Barbour.
Annie, after I did “Nano” last November, I decided it was a great way to get a lot of writing done in a short way – and decided to use the 30-day months of the year to write. April, June, September, November. That gives 8 months to do everything else (the revisions and marketing and brainstorming and yes, vacations).
Hi Annie! Thanks so much for stopping by! I agree, Barbour does some GREAT novellas. 🙂 Good luck in the giveaway!
Though I’ve not read a novella series, I have read novellas and don’t mind them. They are short and to the point. However, I do love details about the background of the place and people, too. Thanks for the giveaway and good luck to everyone.
Debbie, I love writing novellas but I’ve also written many Heartsong novels (a little more than twice novella length) and a few longer books. You could find them on my website.
We’re so glad you could join us, Debbie. Novellas are short and sweet, but it’s nice for me to mix up longer novels with the shorter collections. 😉 Hope you get to read Darlene’s book soon!
I was just telling my sister about Love Is Patient Romance Collection: True Love Takes Time in Nine Historical Novellas
Kathy, yes, I’m in that collection too. I hope you have an opportunity to read them both.
Hi Kathy! Doesn’t that one sound so good? 🙂 Hope you get to read it as well.
I loved the interview and getting to know a bit more about you. It seems like April is a busy time for you. I would be honored to read Small Town Brides. I know it will be filled with wonderful
characters and places that I would love to visit.
Deana, yes, I’ve been busy. I have to stay busy or else life here gets b-o-r-i-n-g.
So glad you enjoyed our interview, Deana. Good luck in the giveaway!!
I do like the collections.. I am really enjoying all the “Bride” collections with all my favorite authors.. Thank you for a chance to read another 🙂
Deanna, I’m glad to see Barbour doing these bride collections
Isn’t it fun to have one book full of stories by your favorite authors? 🙂 So glad you could visit us, Deanna. Happy Reading!
I just love reading novellas! My favorites (besides the collections from Barbour) are the Timeless Romance Anthologies. They have several out now, and are all clean. I’ve been introduced to several new-to-me authors that I love through them! The digital format is pretty affordable at $4.99 and some occasionally go on sale.
https://www.goodreads.com/series/112985-a-timeless-romance-anthology
My other publisher, Forget Me Not Romances, has a lot of individual novellas and collections as well. Check out the bookstore at http://forgetmenotromances.com/
Thanks for sharing, Heidi! I agree, I love how novellas always seem to introduce you to new authors as well. 🙂 Good luck in the giveaway!
I love novella collections. I just read The Orgen Trail Romance Collection that was great!
Hi Melanie, I don’t know much about the Oregon Trail but that does sound interesting.
Hi Melanie! I haven’t read the Oregon Trail Romance Collection, but I’m sure I’d enjoy it. I’m fascinated by that history!
I have enjoyed reading other novella Collections you’re in Darlene, and I hope to have a chance to read this one as well. Novellas are a lot of fun to read.
Hi Deanne, I hope you get your chance to read this one too.
Wonderful! Thanks for stopping by, Deanne. Good luck in the drawing!
I enjoy reading novella although I always think they end too soon. I really like the Teacup Novella series by Diane Moody.
Ellen, I also wrote a teacup novella set during the last “tea event” in colonial America, the burning of the tea in Greenwich, NJ. If it sounds interesting, check out Infusion of Love.
I know, I’m always a little sad when they end so soon. 😉 Thanks for visiting, Ellen!
I love reading novella collections. I have most of them in this series. I really enjoy being able to finish a story in a sitting.
Becky
Becky, that’s a great advantage of novellas.
I know what you mean, Becky! It always makes me feel like I’m a fast reader. 😉 Good luck in the giveaway!
Sounds like a great read. Thanks for the chance to win.
Kim, thanks for your interest.
Good luck in the drawing, Kim!
Darlene’s books are always a great read!
Why, thanks, Karen
Hi Karen! We’re so glad you could join us! Have a great week. 🙂
I love novellas, and I’m currently on The Preacher’s Bride Collection. It’s really sweet and lovely.
Yes, I have a story in Preacher’s Bride as well. In fact, the two stories are connected.
Oh that’s right!! I really enjoyed Miss Bliss and the Bear. It was a beautiful little story!
How fun! Yeah, I know Darlene has done several of those novella collections. Glad you’re enjoying it, Diana!
Hi Darlene! It’s so nice to see you on Savanna’s blog 🙂 I love getting to know my author friends better through an interview. And since I’m part of your reader crew on Facebook, I’ve read a few of your novels. In fact, I’m reading “Mail-Order Brides” at the moment!
To answer the question: I do enjoy novella collections, little tidbits of stories you can fit between busy times or longer novels like I sometimes do. It helps break up the monotony a bit! I’ve discovered quite a few new authors this way too. I’d recommend ANY of the Barbour novella sets, they always have a great cast of authors included. And I think just about every story subject for a readers taste, Cowboy’s Bride, Small Town Bride, Most Eligible Bachelor, Convenient Bride, etc, etc, etc….:-)
Thanks for coming out to talk about yourself Darlene, it’s always nice to get to know authors a little more. Savanna, thanks for having Darlene on your blog…blessings you two!
So sorry, I forgot to add, thank you for the giveaway chance!
Trixi, Savanna is my Social Media helper who was kind enough to invite me to speak on her blog.
Hi Trixi! That’s so cool you’re a part of Darlene’s reader crew. 😉 I’ve sure enjoyed working with her behind the scenes on social media stuff. You mentioned so many good novella collections. It’s hard for me to know which to pick up first! 😉
Thanks for visiting us. Good luck in the giveaway!
I really prefer a book to a novella. I like books because there is more detail to the story.
Diane, there’s a lot to be said for longer books. I’m surprised at how much I can (usually) pack into a novella.
Yeah, I’d have to say I usually feel the same way, Dianne. Occasionally, though, I do enjoy mixing it up and the shorter stories can still be very in depth and moving. Just gotta find the right one for you. 😉
I enjoy Novellas–Wanda Brunstetter has a new novella series,(one books is: The English Son
Wanda Brundstetter is a writing master.
Hmmm, I haven’t heard of that one. I’ll have to check it out. Thanks, Barb!
I have read quite a few novella collections. The last one I remember is Castles
Castles? Oh, how fun.
That one is new to me too. Who are the authors, Jan?
Savanna, thank you for the wonderful interview with Darlene. Barbour has some wonderful novella collections! 🙂
Hi Caryl, Barbour has been doing novella collection in different incarnations ever since my involvement with them. They excel in the genre.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Caryl. It’s always a treat to have you join us. Good luck and happy reading!
I just want to thank you, Darlene, for taking the time to chat with us in the comments here. It’s been such fun to have you on the blog! 🙂
Oh, I’ve had fun, too, Savanna! Thanks for inviting me.
I read a wide variety which includes novellas. When I’m busy and don’t have much reading time, I can still find time for a novella. I remember reading a book about the stump fires so I must have read Darlene’s book!
Yep, it’s nice to be able to squeeze in a novella when life gets extra busy. 😉 Thanks for stopping by, Joan. Good luck!
Joan: As an author, I try to remember author’s names–but the book titles and stories themselves stay with me easier. I’m happy you remember that scene.
I love novella collections! I am currently reading The British Brides Collection. 🙂
British Brides – fun. I have an unpublished book about a Scottish Mail Order Brides that I want to edit and publish someday.
Scottish Brides, that sounds lovely. I would love to read it someday!
I hope to get it ready to publish some day. It’s written, but needs a lengthy edit.
Oh fun! Thanks for stopping by, Heather. It’s great to see you! 🙂 Good luck in the giveaway too!
This is a new author for me. Where have I been?? She sounds like she is about to become one of my favorites. I would love to win this book.
Bev Lewis, you share the name of one of my favorite authors (unless you ARE that Beverly Lewis, in which case I am honored to meet you.) Thanks for your interest.
Hi Bev! So happy you could join us. I hope you get to read some of Darlene’s books soon! 🙂
Thank you, ladies, for sharing this great interview and giveaway. I love novella collections and Barbour’s are some of my very favorites!
So glad you enjoyed it, Britney! Aren’t novella collections fun?! 😉 Good luck in the drawing!
I’ve read a few novellas, but never a collection. I think I would enjoy a collection.
Hi Connie! Hope you get the chance to check out this collection soon. 🙂