Kathleen L. Maher is the administrator of History Repeats Itself and of Fiction Addiction Fix. She writes historical romance set in the American Civil War and is a 2012 Genesis Winner for Historical fiction. Kathy is a member of ACFW, 19th Century Writers, and co-owner of CROWN fiction marketing and Civil War HIStory.
I am so so so excited to have my wonderful friend and terrific critique partner with me this week. Kathy and I came onto the ACFW scene about the same time and connected through a critque group which ended up being only us. We became best of friends. In celebration of her Genesis win we are giving away two fabulous prizes! Leave a comment to be entered. For extra entries, follow my blog, Kathy's blog History Repeats Itself, and our joint blog Fiction Addiction Fix, tweet or facebook about this giveaway with the link. 1 entry for each of these 6 possible entries. Don't forget to leave your email address and let me know what you've done.
Where are you right
now (LVR, DR, Bathroom) and what are you wearing? You have to tell the truth.
I am actually dressed before 7 AM today! It’s a small miracle. I
have on denim capris, an orange cotton embroidered tee and my Third Day zip-up
hoodie. And purple fuzzy slippers. They’re hideous and comfy as all get out.
What is the funniest,
strangest, or most interesting thing you have learned when doing research?
I was doing research on Charleston during the Civil War, so I had my
ears open for all things related. I was listening to the radio and heard my
local weatherman talk about the strangest weather incident he’d ever heard. He
claims to say that a live alligator, fully grown, fell from the sky and landed
downtown Charleston in 1862. Can you imagine the rumors of apocalypse that must
have circulated? Just today I read on Yahoo news about a two foot shark that
fell out of the sky on a golf course in California. They think an osprey
dropped it. Why can’t it be money, falling on my lawn? Twenties and fifties
would be lovely. Or gold. I’ll take gold as long as nobody gets hurt when it
falls.
If you were told you
were being sent back to live in the 19th Century, and you could
bring one thing from today, what would that be?
I know everyone says toothpaste and deodorant, and that is such a
good answer! So besides those, I would bring photos of our modern marvels like
airplanes and space travel. I figure it will be a great conversation starter,
if it doesn’t get me burned at the stake for sorcery!
What is something that
very few people know about you?
Hmmm, I am relatively unknown, so pretty much everything!
Heehee Okay. Most people don’t know that
I used to have a really good singing voice. In high school I had the privilege
of attending New York State School Music Association’s All State choir two
years in a row. We stayed at the Concord Hotel in the Catskills, the same place
where Sinatra and so many others have sung. It was a real thrill. But asthma
and chronic allergies have eroded that voice from what it once was. I still
love to sing along to Kari Jobe and Kutless and Tenth Avenue North, among my
favorites. Just not where others can hear me. LOL
What is your favorite
material item that you own (examples: ipod, Gone with the Wind book,
grandmother’s rocking chair)
My home.
It has creaky floors and a slowly shifting foundation and a roof
that will need replacing, but I am so very thankful to God for my home. We were
once homeless as a family when my husband was out of work, and I appreciate the
miracle it is to live here in a beautiful small town where crime is rare and
the church bells chime three times a day, and where I can tend my gardens and
watch my children play in safety. I wish everyone that blessing.
What one novel did you
read that made you want to be a part of the story?
None. Honestly, I think that is why I write. I’ve read books that I
love, but none of the characters ever did what I would have and that made me
want to write myself in their shoes, to explore a story world with my own
imagination rather than only getting to see what the author shows. That is why
there is so much of me in each character I write.
If you could live in
any time period other than the one we live in, when and where would that be and
why?
I am fascinated by the end times. A little fearful, too, to be
honest, with all the tension and hate of the world converging on little Israel
to annihilate her. But if these aren’t the end times already I would wish to be
in the generation that gets to witness the Lord’s return and to be taken up to
meet Him in the air. What could be more fabulous than that?
If you were writing a
book about your life what would the title be?
Not Perfect Yet
You recently won the
Genesis contest can you give us a glimpse of what it’s like and the work that
went into getting there?
I’m sure my route was more circuitous than most. That is my typical
way of getting anything done—the hard way. I’ve been writing this particular
story since 1987. It started as a magnum opus of over 600 pages, but as I
learned the craft and after my brilliant critique partner labored many long
hours helping me, it was shortened into two separate historical romances that
trace brothers from the Shenandoah Valley through the Civil War.
The feeling of hearing my name called on that live webcast that Wynn-Wynn
Media so graciously aired was nothing short of surreal. I immediately wept and
screamed and prayed that my poor critique partner would somehow do what I never
could have—make a coherent acceptance speech. :D And she did! She did simply amazing.
You made your critique
partner get up in front of 700 plus people (not to mention the live pod cast)
at the ACFW Gala awards. Do you worry how she is going to get you back? ;o)
I am laughing perhaps a bit too hearty right now! Yes, perhaps I should
be VERY worried! Debbie Lynne Costello is my crit partner and she is a master
at writing suspenseful and action-packed stories, so I have no doubt she has
the devious creativity to plot something extraordinary at my expense! *gulp*
:D
Perhaps I had better do something REALLY nice for her for having me
here this week. How about we give a second prize to a lucky commenter? Will
that begin to appease the wrath of Kubla-Kahn Costello? :D
Angel throw, journal, 2 Christmas cups, flower tea cup candle, faith plaque, picture frame, angel candle holder, bath basket, Christmas novel
Bath box, Joy cup, specialty tea, journal, hope plaque, candle, Coming Home Novel.
Be sure to leave your email address. Please check your junk mail on and the day after the drawing. I've had to redraw because of no responses. Subject box will have: winner of (book title). I'll email the winner and they'll have seven days to respond. If I don't hear back I'll draw another name. USA shipping only. Thanks so much and please stop back again! Drawing will be held Monday, October 29nd, 8:00 A.M. EST. Offer void where prohibited. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants