Day 2 with Author Rita Gerlach

Welcome back, Rita Gerlach! We are celebrating with you on the release February 1 of  Book 3 of The Daughters of the Potomac series entitled, Beyond the Valley. I'm sure our readers are anxious to get back to this fascinating interview, so we will pick up where we left off yesterday:

What is the biggest misconception the general public has about authors?

Thinking when a writer is given a publishing contract they are instantly wealthy. Granted there are authors who are. But most writers are far from it. We struggle like everyone else to make ends meet.

Some writers love plotting, some like writing that first draft, and others enjoying researching or digging into the revisions. What's your favorite part about writing a book?

Writing the first draft. I love how a story unfolds as I am writing it. I begin with a brief roadmap, so to speak, of where I am going with the story. But as it unfolds new ideas, new characters, and unexpected twists and turns always pop up.

When starting a new project, do you tend to begin with a time period or event and create the characters to live it, or do you start with characters and then find their story?

The first spark for a novel has always been the time period. I really can’t tell you why. It’s just the way it happens for me. It is as brief as the thought, ‘I’m going to write a novel set in the late 1700s.’ Next comes the characters — the heroine and hero, followed by minor characters, and a plot idea.

What is the biggest misconception beginning writers have about being published?

I would say two things— that it will be easy to find a publisher and second they will become rich and famous. If aspiring writers go into their careers realizing it will be hard work, take time and effort, and that they need to write for the love of writing and not money, and that they will face rejections, the journey will be easier. Being a writer is a test. 

What would you like readers to gain from reading your books?

I’ve always believed good storytelling can have a healing effect. I see this mainly in Christian and inspirational fiction. The goal of my writing is to give readers a respite from the hectic world we live in. Sometimes immersing in a good book helps us escape the troubles we are facing and easy our anxiety.

What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

Learn everything you can about the craft, from character development to plotting, to how to write tight. Study how to edit your work. Study the industry and get an understanding of how publishing works. Read bestselling books within your genre. Listen to seasoned authors advice. Above all do not let discouragement get the best of you, and do not write for fame or fortune. If that is your goal, you are starting out for all the wrong reasons. Write because you love it and because God blessed you with a talent.

Any final words?

I’ve been asked to categorize my fiction. My books are not formula romances. They are what I like to call Inspirational Historical Dramas. Readers will find romance, but will also find stories about relationships between people, stories about forgiveness, redemption, faith, and loyalty. Each character has good points, but they are also flawed human beings that make mistakes and fall hard, and at some point struggle through the adversity, dust themselves off and move on.

While writing the Daughters of the Potomac series, I realized forgiving and being forgiven can change lives for the better, and how much harm can come out of a heart that refuses to forgive. There are so many people walking around today with that weight on their shoulders. Perhaps someone reading this interview has this burden. My prayer for them is that they cast it upon Him that is able to carry it.

Thank you, Elaine, for having me here today. It was a privilege.

Thank you for joining us at Novel PASTimes, Rita! I love your insights about the writing life. Readers, remember that Rita is offering a free copy of Beyond the Valley to a very blessed commenter who leaves his or her e-mail address and answers the following question from Rita:

What is it you find most intriguing in the synopsis for ‘Beyond the Valley’? Is it the setting, Sarah’s dilemma, the characters, or the time period?

(Book giveaway only open to commenters from the U.S. or Canada)

Visit Rita at her website: http://ritagerlach.blogspot.com