Love Inspired Historicals discussion

Laura AKA Loves 2 Read Romance wrote: "Sounds like a great story and start for a new series."

Thanks. I really enjoyed writing the series.

Linda, I bet it's a little different with names in a historical fiction. You have to research names in that time period AND in that area of the country where you are writing the story! Is there a way you do that?

June wrote: "You mentioned you like to "take a person's wounds and attack them throughout the story until that person finds a bit of healing." So which is more enjoyable for you, attacking or coming up with the..."
An in-depth question. I enjoy both attacking and solving the problems. I kind of know the emotional ups and downs of the characters. What is really hard is finding events that will give the characters a chance to live their emotional journey.

Valri wrote: "You always have great covers, Linda!"

Thanks though I take no credit. The art department comes up with the covers but I love them.

Britney wrote: "Hi Linda! Big Sky Cowboy sounds great; I love a book series!! What is your favorite part of the writing process?"

I think my favorite part is when I am exploring the idea and getting to know the characters. At that point everything is fluid. Then I have to make it all fit into a plot structure. Ack. That's when I cry and pray a lot.

Linda, I liked when you used that children's home and how your characters had that fair (I think?) for the kids to brighten up their day with games and such. That was so cute! I kept imagining how in those days, orphans wouldn't have had very much joy and people "out in the community" probably wouldn't have gotten too involved with the orphans.

Valri wrote: "Linda, I have been waiting for this book to come out! I couldn't remember the actual date so every time I go to the store, I look and look at the books, hoping that your book will be there! You k..."

Valri, I really enjoyed researching the Oregon wagon trail. It encompasses so much of the country. I love doing research. I find so much valuable info on the Internet. For the wagon train story, I actually found 2 journals from people who had made the journey. I found a couple books in the library that were invaluable.

OF course the best kind of research is on-site. I recently travelled to Montana to research for two series I am planning. You can find more details on my trip on my web site www.lindaford.org

Melody wrote: "Kate! Seriously sick of that name! we discussed that before! ;) I am also so done with Mary! That is an interesting topic, does anyone else get tired of certain names?"

Reading this discussion makes me wish the editors would let me keep some of my original names.

Maybe you can pass along to the editors our comments about names, Linda! I know a lot of readers get sick of certain names that are used over and over like the ones we mentioned! I think Sage is fantastic! Maybe the editors need to know that readers would like to hear those things!

I will definitely check out your Montana/Oregon research! I have lived in both states!

Welcome Linda! Big Sky Cowboy sounds like a great book!
Congratulations on 40 books!

Linda, I also love the name Sage, it's such a unique name. I am not sure why they rejected the name either. I have read over seven of your books and I have loved them all! I can't wait to read this one as well! One of my questions for you is, out of all the series you have written which has been your favorite to write so far? :)

Names are no big deal to me, many authors use same ones but a different book and story so you remember who you are reading about...now if you put in a name I cannot pronounce -I make up a short version of whatever it is....The story content is what is important to me...

What about names that have different spelling? Someone complained about a named being spelled "weird" in their review of a book I read recently but I thought it was creative and it kind of takes the boredom out of similar names. But it should be pronounceable without too much trouble.

Valri wrote: "Maybe you can pass along to the editors our comments about names, Linda! I know a lot of readers get sick of certain names that are used over and over like the ones we mentioned! I think Sage is ..."
I'll mention it if the time seems right.

Rita wrote: "Welcome Linda! Big Sky Cowboy sounds like a great book!
Congratulations on 40 books!"
Thanks.

Katie wrote: "Linda, I also love the name Sage, it's such a unique name. I am not sure why they rejected the name either. I have read over seven of your books and I have loved them all! I can't wait to read this..."
I'd have to say the Eden Valley series. It was based on a real historical ranch in SW Alberta that I visited lots of times and I did tons of research on the era. It seems like such a nice era and setting to me.

Paula-O wrote: "Names are no big deal to me, many authors use same ones but a different book and story so you remember who you are reading about...now if you put in a name I cannot pronounce -I make up a short ver..."
I'm with you. I don't like names I can't pronounce. Makes me stumble.

June wrote: "What about names that have different spelling? Someone complained about a named being spelled "weird" in their review of a book I read recently but I thought it was creative and it kind of takes th..."

My editor would NOT go for names spelled oddly.

Linda, congratulations on having published 40 books! Historical romance is my favorite genre and I've certainly enjoyed several of those 40.

How you select characters' names is interesting to me. I like unusual names and think the name Sage is beautiful. Not sure about Crocus, though! Do editors have a lot of input into other areas of your writing, Linda? And is it something you welcome or dread?

Valri wrote: "Mel, I was going to put Mary but decided to put "Jessica" instead! I think if I were a writer, I would have to resort to looking through the phone book for new ideas!"

I went and googled US census names for 1880 and it gave me the top 100 boy and girl names for that era. I found it helpful. Looking for names from other countries also helps to make it more interesting but then who knows how to say some of those tongue twisters.

Carole wrote: "Linda, congratulations on having published 40 books! Historical romance is my favorite genre and I've certainly enjoyed several of those 40.

How you select characters' names is interesting to me. ..."
I have food good editors can spot the flaws in a book and suggest ways to make it stronger. I like that but don't welcome the work.

Bonnie wrote: "Valri wrote: "Mel, I was going to put Mary but decided to put "Jessica" instead! I think if I were a writer, I would have to resort to looking through the phone book for new ideas!"

I went and go..."
One thing I google is baby names for the era I'm writing in but a lot are very common. Lots of Marys.

Ha, Ha, Linda!!! That's a great way to do it! Since I do a lot of genealogy, I would assume that Mary is a common name but HEY, you are a writer and you can take creative license!!!! :)

Valri wrote: "Ha, Ha, Linda!!! That's a great way to do it! Since I do a lot of genealogy, I would assume that Mary is a common name but HEY, you are a writer and you can take creative license!!!! :)"

It's a good thing I like old-fashioned names like Emily and Olivia.lol

My grandma's name is Lanea and my daughters both love it! One of my daughter's wants to name one of her children that if she ever has one, which is seriously funny because she tells us all the time she's never getting married!!!! She's 25 and is a 3rd grade teacher! My grandma would have been 100 this year but she died a couple years ago! She was the ultimate pioneer woman and was an awesome woman! I miss her!

Im late I guess after awhile its hard to with new books to not use a name used before or situation (albeit new place) This series sounds interesting. Do we see Wyatts brother in the book. I have seen a show where the daughters were Zinnia, petunia, daisy, and Primrose (whos full name was Primrose Violet Anemone Iris Magnolia Narcissa)

Happy Tuesday, everyone! Today we welcome Christine Johnson.
Christine holds degrees in English and library studies and works part-time as a librarian. She feels blessed to write for Love Inspired and doubly blessed that two of her manuscripts were finalists for Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart® award.

When not at the computer keyboard, she loves to hike, kayak, and explore God's majestic creation. She and her husband split their time between northern Michigan and the Florida Keys. Christine enjoys hearing from readers through her web site at http://www.christineelizabethjohnson.com.




From Friends to Sweethearts

Minnie Fox's goal is to find a beau who can help support her ailing father and his struggling dress shop. As a working man, her friend Peter Simmons simply doesn't fit the bill. Instead, Minnie's got eyes for Peter's childhood pal—a wealthy Chicagoan. So why can't she stop thinking about Peter?

Peter wishes Minnie would see him as more than a friend. As a hardworking mechanic, Peter knows he'll never be able to dazzle Minnie with fancy suits and expensive cars. But maybe he can prove to her that what's in a man's heart is worth more than what's in his wallet.

The Dressmaker's Daughters: Pursuing their dreams a stitch at a time

Thanks for joining us today, Christine! Friends-to-romance stories are one of my favorites. Is this your first one involving friends? What did you find challenging about it?

Christine is giving away a copy of her book.

Thanks for sharing with us Christine!

How many books are planned for this series? What are you currently working on? Since we have been talking about names how did you choose the names for your hero & heroine??

Good morning, everyone! I'm excited to be here today to chat with you.

Karen, this is my first story that involves childhood friends. Since the hero and heroine are young, they're not that far removed from the "bratty" years of teasing and general obnoxiousness that characterized their adolescent friendship. What a fun moment when they first realize the other person is more than just a friend. Naturally that doesn't happen at the same time. One figures it out sooner than the other.

Valri wrote: "My grandma's name is Lanea and my daughters both love it! One of my daughter's wants to name one of her children that if she ever has one, which is seriously funny because she tells us all the tim..."
I love Lanea for a name. It's beautiful. I might steal it for a future story.

Ausjenny wrote: "Im late I guess after awhile its hard to with new books to not use a name used before or situation (albeit new place) This series sounds interesting. Do we see Wyatts brother in the book. I have se..."

lol at the names. Yes, we see Wyatt's brother in the story and get to know and understand him.

Laura AKA Loves 2 Read Romance wrote: "Thanks for sharing with us Christine!

How many books are planned for this series? What are you currently working on? Since we have been talking about names how did you choose the names for your h..."

Hi Laura! This series is a trilogy. The final book, Love by Design, will come out next May.

Both Minnie and Peter have appeared in several of my books, so readers have grown up with them. Peter arrived on the orphan train in The Matrimony Plan, and Minnie's crushes and disappointments have spanned several books. Minnie is short for Wilhelmina. I chose long, old-fashioned names for almost all the sisters (except Ruth), and most of them use a nickname because they dislike their full given names. Minnie happened to be the name of one of my grandmother's sisters. As for Peter, he was the rock-solid leader of the frightened kids on the orphan train, so I chose the Biblical reference to the apostle Peter.

Oh, I love the fun of childhood friends beginning sweethearts. As these two appeared in the other books, did you have a long term plan for them to someday being together?

Good morning Christine, Your book sounds great, I like the idea of childhood friends becoming more to one another. I can see where it might be hard to overcome just the boy next door type though. I had crush on boy in highschool but he never knew it. He liked one of the cheerleaders. I like why you chose the characters names. Look forward to reading this series. I enjoyed reading the orphan train story.

I will still like the book no matter what names are used if it's good, I just was saying I love different names best. ;) I like to look at my family history for names. It's fun!

I love stories of friendship to romance! Did Peter and Minnie surprise you in any way as you were writing their story?

Brittany wrote: "Oh, I love the fun of childhood friends beginning sweethearts. As these two appeared in the other books, did you have a long term plan for them to someday being together?"

That evolved over time, Brittany, but I was pretty sure they were destined for each other by the time they appeared together in Legacy of Love.

Paula-O wrote: "Good morning Christine, Your book sounds great, I like the idea of childhood friends becoming more to one another. I can see where it might be hard to overcome just the boy next door type though...."

Haven't we all had a crush on a boy who never noticed us? I know I did. Peter is both familiar and unfamiliar to the local girls because he'd only been in town since early adolescence. He was one of the older Orphan Train boys who often ended up being chosen for their ability to labor in the fields. Peter was fortunate that he ended up with a family who took him in as a son.

Melody wrote: "I will still like the book no matter what names are used if it's good, I just was saying I love different names best. ;) I like to look at my family history for names. It's fun!"

Histories and geneaologies are great for period names, though some don't sound much like hero/heroine names these days. An author does have to strike a middle ground.

Britney wrote: "I love stories of friendship to romance! Did Peter and Minnie surprise you in any way as you were writing their story?"

Hi Britney! Peter had a huge surprise in store for me that he hadn't told anyone. I don't want to spoil the story for anyone, so I won't tell you what it is, only that I'd had no idea.

Keli wrote: "Congratulations on your latest release, Christine! It sounds like another great read. I love rooting for underdog heroes."

Thanks, Keli! I love underdogs too, whether in sports or in books.

Sounds like a great story Christine ~ I love the underdog heroes too.

And I like the reasons for the names you chose. Do you enjoy choosing names for characters? And do you ever have a character that you try to name and it takes ages because no name seems to fit them?

Linda wrote: "Wendy wrote: "Wow, Linda, what a great number of releases! Congratulations!

I love the name Sage ~ don't know why they didn't like that. I'm reading a book at the moment where the heroine is Sage..."

Oh Linda, hearing the reason behind the story and why they were named, makes me sad the original names weren't kept. You could have put a little bit in the front how the story came about, and I'm sure readers would have loved the names you had chosen for that reason alone!

Christine,

It sounds like a really fun book. I'm a fan of "young friends turn romantic" stories also. Can't wait to read this one. And now I'm anxious to learn how Peter surprised you. :)

Christine gives us a teaser, now we have to read soon to find out the unexpected from Peter...I know I want to.

Wendy wrote: "Sounds like a great story Christine ~ I love the underdog heroes too.

And I like the reasons for the names you chose. Do you enjoy choosing names for characters? And do you ever have a character ..."

Hi Wendy! It is fun to name characters. When a character name doesn't come easily, I give them a temporary name. The right name usually pops up soon afterward. They must not like getting the wrong name!

June wrote: "Christine,

It sounds like a really fun book. I'm a fan of "young friends turn romantic" stories also. Can't wait to read this one. And now I'm anxious to learn how Peter surprised you. :)"

Hi June! I'm glad you stopped by, but you're tempting me to reveal more than I should about Peter's secret. My lips are sealed.

Paula-O wrote: "Christine gives us a teaser, now we have to read soon to find out the unexpected from Peter...I know I want to."

Ha! You're not going to talk me into telling you. Nice try, though.

Contest Alert!

For those of you who read the first book in the series, Groom by Design, did you notice anything peculiar about the cover? I'll giveaway a copy of Suitor by Design or any of my backlist to the first person who can tell me what's missing.

In a smaller town where people grow up with each other I guess there would be a lot of friendships to romance stories. I know we have a smaller town with many having to leave to go to college but those who come back or stay there are often a lot who marry who went to school together maybe not the same year but at a similar time.

is it a female mannequin for a male suit?