Interview with Cara Putman

I'm thrilled to host my mentor Cara Putman today as she celebrates the release of her newest book, A Wedding Transpires on Mackinac Island, which is hot off the presses this week! Cara is such a treasure to everyone who knows her, and she has gone above and beyond to offer me support, advice, and encouragement just when I need it the most. She is very active in the group American Christian Fiction Writers, and if you're a member of that organization and have attended the annual conference, Cara was probably the well-accessorized woman who offered you a smile and directions to your newcomer's class. She's also an attorney and a stellar wife and momma. I could go on and on about how wonderful she is, but what you need to know is that her fiction is also fantastic. I'm reading A Wedding Transpires on Mackinac Island now, and I've been so enjoying the rich setting she evokes. So without further adieu, pull up a chair, grab a cup of hot tea, and come get to know my good friend, Cara.

1) You have a new book that just released. Tell us a little about it.

A Wedding Transpires on Mackinac Island was a fun contemporary novel to write. It can’t help being fun when it’s set on such a fun site. Here’s a little about it.

Attorney Alanna Stone vowed long ago to avoid Mackinac Island. Although it may seem the perfect place to heal, for Alanna it holds too many memories of a painful past.

But an exhausting high profile case and an urgent plea from her parents have brought Alanna home. Moving into the house next to Jonathan Covington doesn’t help her. Jonathan may have been her first love, but he was also her first lesson in betrayal. Now Alanna must protect her privacy and her heart. Then Secrets and a murder intersect, and she’s thrust into controversy again as tragedy turns public opinion against her and potentially her family.

For years, Jonathan has stubbornly resisted the urging of his family and friends to date, believing he’s already found the perfect woman. With Alanna’s return, he begins to wonder if he’s waited too long for someone who isn’t the right one after all.

2) What made you want to write this book?

The island is distinctive. The scent of fudge permeates the air. (Ashley's note: Must. Go. Here.) Fort Mackinac dominates part of the harbor view. And the sound of horses' hooves provides a soothing backdrop.

But there’s so much more than wonderful places to stay. Mackinac Island transports visitors back to a time that is slower-paced. Travel is by horse drawn carriage (what’s more romantic!), bike (a bike for two sounds pretty romantic to me) or by foot (stroll quaint streets? Sign me up!). While each of these has charm and appeal, the reality is that peace permeates your time on the island because something key is missing. The noise of cars and the requirement to rush around. With a setting like this, it didn’t take long to find a story that fit. Add murder and mystery, and it was fun to write.

3) Fun question! If you could choose any novel that's already been written, erase it from history, and then write it and claim it as your own, which would you pick?

Wow, Ashley! What a great question. Hmm, what a hard question! I think I’d say Anne of Green Gables. Anne is such a classic character. Timeless and in situations we can still relate to almost 100 years later. I’d love to write someone that lasting.

4) I know some of my fellow Alley Cats would agree with you on that one! How did you get started with writing?

I’ve always wanted to write. As a young teen, I started writing novels. They’ve disappeared, thank goodness, but the itch to create characters and stories never did. After I’d gotten married, graduated from law school, and started a family, the urge to write regenerated. In April 2005 I went to a booksigning and met my mentor Colleen Coble. The rest is history. Amazing what happens when God’s timing connects with passion.

5) Many of us at the Alley are still unpublished. What advice do you have for authors who are trying to find an agent and a publishing house?

Be patient and be willing to do the work. While my journey looks uber fast, I’d spent a lifetime in training. Be willing to listen to advice and alter your original idea. Often agents, editors, mentors have suggestions that will make your work more sellable. Be willing to consider those pieces of advice.

6) What is your favorite part of the writing process?

The writing. I love watching the evolution of an idea to a completed story.

7) Least favorite part?

The outlining. I find it painful to keep digging ever deeper. But I know it’s critical.

8) Tell us about your involvement in ACFW and why this organization is so important to you.

I wouldn’t be the writer I am without ACFW. I’ve served on the board off and on for a total of five years, helped start the Indiana chapter, and play a couple roles with the conference. I love helping writers new to ACFW find their way around. That’s why I mentor the first time conference attendees. I remember what it was like to come – and I’m an extrovert! So I invest time in the first timers to help lower their jitters. I am firmly convinced I wouldn’t be where I am without ACFW, so I want to help make it an organization that continues to help others.

9) What kind of themes can readers expect to find in your writing? What is your heart for your books?

I hope they close a book with a sense of hope. That no matter how dark life seems, that God is still there. Even when we can’t see Him, He’s there. And He’ll give us a strength we didn’t know we had.

10) Another fun question! Tell us one random fact about you that will help us know you better.

I’m a second-generation homeschooler. That means I was homeschooled and now homeschool my kids.

Cara C. Putman lives in Indiana with her husband and four children. She’s an attorney and a teacher at her church as well as lecturer at Purdue. She has loved reading and writing from a young age and now realizes it was all training for writing books. She loves bringing history and romance to life.

An honors graduate of the University of Nebraska and George Mason University School of Law, Cara left small town Nebraska and headed to Washington, D.C., to launch her career in public policy.

Cara is an author chasing hard after God as she lives a crazy life. She invites you to join her on that journey.

Links:

Website: http://www.caraputman.com

Blog: http://blog.caraputman.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/caraputman

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/cara_putman

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/caraputman

GIVEAWAY time! Today I'm hosting a giveaway of Cara's newest book, A Wedding Transpires on Mackinac Island! To enter, comment on this blog post about why the book sounds interesting to you, and be sure to include your e-mail address so I can get in touch with you if you win. Contest is only available to residents of the United States.

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Ashley Clark writes romantic comedy with southern grace. She's dreamed of being a writer ever since the thumbprint-cookie-days of library story hour. Ashley has an M.A. in English and enjoys teaching literature courses at her local university. She's an active member of ACFW and runs their newcomer's loop. When she's not writing, Ashley's usually busy rescuing stray animals and finding charming new towns. You can find Ashley on her personal blog and her Tumblr. She's also on Facebook and Twitter. She is represented by Karen Solem.