A Special Interview with Award Winning Author Susan Meissner (and Giveaway!)

Today we're participating in a blog tour for a new book by award-winning novelist Susan Meissner who’s here with us today to talk about her newest book from Penguin NAL. A Fall of Marigolds is a part historical novel, part contemporary novel set on Ellis Island in 1911 and in Manhattan a hundred years later. Make sure you read to the end of the post so that you can find out how to get in on a drawing for a fabulous gift basket that includes a $100 Visa gift card.

Susan, tell us where the idea for A Fall of Marigolds came from.

I’ve long been a history junkie, especially with regard to historical events that involve ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances. A couple years ago I viewed a documentary by author and filmmaker Lorie Conway called Forgotten Ellis Island; a hauntingly poignant exposé on the section of Ellis Island that no one really has heard much about; its hospital. The two man-made islands that make up the hospital buildings haven’t been used in decades and are falling into ruins, a sad predicament the documentary aptly addresses. The images of the rooms where the sick of a hundred nations waited to be made well stayed with me. I knew there were a thousand stories pressed into those walls, stories of immigrants who were just a stone’s throw from a new life. But unless they could be cured of whatever disease they’d arrived with, they would never set foot on America’s shores. Ellis Island hospital was the ultimate in-between place – it lay between what was and what could be. A great place to set a story

What is the story about, in a nutshell?

The book is about two women who never meet as they are separated by a century. One woman, Taryn, is a 9/11 widow and single mother who is about to mark the tenth anniversary of her husband’s passing. The other is a nurse, Clara, who witnessed the death of the man she loved in the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire in Manhattan in 1911.In her sorrow, Clara imposes on herself an exile of sorts; she takes a post at the hospital on Ellis Island so that she can hover in an in-between place while she wrestles with her grief. She meets an immigrant who wears the scarf of the wife he lost crossing the Atlantic, a scarf patterned in marigolds. The scarf becomes emblematic of the beauty and risk inherent in loving people, and it eventually finds it way to Taryn one hundred years later on the morning a plane crashes into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. The story is about the resiliency of love, and the notion that the weight of the world is made more bearable because of it, even though it exposes us to the risk of loss.

This is your first general market novel after having written more than a dozen books for the inspirational market. Why the switch?

I got my start in the inspirational market and am immensely grateful for that experience. Every published novelist wants to connect with her ideal reader. We don’t all like the same genres and we don’t all like the same style and voice. I believe a great many of my ideal readers shop in the general marketplace because that’s where I shop. My favorite authors — among them Kate Morton, Geraldine Brooks, Lisa See, Jamie Ford, and Diane Setterfield — are all general marketplace authors. Add to this that my faith threads are always subtle rather than obvious, then the move to the general market place seems like a great way for me to connect with more readers. My approach to faith in my writing is one that I liken to the subtlety of God’s presence and influence in the Book of Esther in the Old Testament. The faith thread in the Book of Esther is as subtle as it can be – God is never even mentioned – and yet the story is powerfully told and the virtues of loyalty, trust, hope, and courage are obvious. I have never thought of myself as writer of Christian fiction but rather a Christian who writes fiction.

Your last few novels have had historical components interwoven within a contemporary story. Why do you prefer that kind of story construction?

I think living in Europe for five years awakened my love for history. It’s like it was always there but my time spent overseas just woke it up. When I think back to the subjects I did well in and that came easy to me in high school and college, it was always English and history, never math or science. I appreciate the artistry of math and the complexity of science, but neither subject comes easy to me.  History has the word “story” in it. That’s what it is. It’s the story of everyone and everything. How could I not love it?  Study history and you learn very quickly what we value as people; what we love, what we fear, what we hate, what we are willing die for. History shows us where we’ve been and usually has lessons for us to help us chart where we’re going.

Why a scarf of marigolds? What is their significance?

Marigolds aren’t like most other flowers. They aren’t beautiful and fragrant. You don’t see them in bridal bouquets or prom corsages or funeral sprays. They don’t come in gentle colors like pink and lavender and baby blue. Marigolds are hearty, pungent and brassy. They are able to bloom in the autumn months, well past the point when many other flowers can’t. In that respect, I see marigolds as being symbolic of the strength of the human spirit to risk loving again after loss. Because, face it. We live in a messy world. Yet it’s the only one we’ve got. We either love here or we don’t. The title of the book has a sort of double-meaning. Both the historical and contemporary story take place primarily in the autumn. Secondarily, when Clara sees the scarf for the first time, dangling from an immigrant’s shoulders as he enters the hospital building, she sees the floral pattern in the threads, notes how similar they are to the flames she saw in the fire that changed everything for her, and she describes the cascading blooms woven into the scarf as “a fall of marigolds.” 

Are you working on anything new at the moment?

My next book is set entirely in England, mostly during The London Blitz. My main character starts out as a young, aspiring bridal gown designer evacuated to the countryside with her seven-year-old sister in the summer of 1940. Though only fifteen, Emmy is on the eve of being made an apprentice to a renowned costumer and she resents her single mother’s decision to send her away. She sneaks back to London – with her sister in tow – several months later but the two become separated when the Luftwaffe begins its terrible and deadly attack on the East End on the first night of the Blitz. War has a way of separating from us what we most value, and often shows how little we realized that value. I have always found the evacuation of London’s children to the countryside – some for the entire duration of the war – utterly compelling. How hard it must have been for those parents and their children. I went on a research trip to the U.K. in the fall of 2013 and I spoke with many individuals who were children during the war; some were separated from their parents, some were bombed out of their homes, some slept night after night in underground Tube stations, some watched in fascination as children from the city came to their towns and villages to live with them. This book explores issues of loss and longing, but also the bonds of sisters, and always, the power of love.

Susan Meissner is the multi-published author of fifteen books, including The Shape of Mercy,

named one of the 100 Best Novels in 2008 by Publishers Weekly and the ECPA’s Fiction Book of the Year. She is also a speaker and writing workshop leader with a background in community journalism. She and her husband make their home in Southern California.

Writer's Alley friends! Read a little bit further for a way to win Susan's latest release and put your name in the hat for a whole bunch more. :-))

As part of the release of A Fall of Marigolds and this blog tour, Susan is giving to one lucky winner a gift basket that includes a $100 Visa gift card, a copy of the book, the DVD Forgotten Ellis Island, and a beautiful re-purposed infinity scarf patterned in marigolds and made from a vintage Indian sari. To be eligible, just leave a comment here between today and midnight Eastern on Friday, February 21. If you would like to see a list of the other participating blogs on this tour, just click here. Feel free to visit those blogs and increase your chances of winning by posting one comment on those blogs as well. One comment per blog will be eligible.

Additionally, there will be one winner of a signed copy of A Fall of Marigolds from among those who comment on this blog. Just leave a comment by midnight Eastern on Friday, Feb. 28 and you’re in the running for the grand prize as well as a signed copy of the book. Good luck!

Special Guest Saturday: Interview with Susan Meissner!

Susan, thank you so much for being with us today! What a treat. You write such poignant fiction as is proven in The Shape of Mercy, where do you come up with your ideas?


These last few years I have been intrigued by events in human history, like the Salem Witch Trials, and the Warsaw Ghetto during WW II, Lady Jane Grey, and the idea that there are things about us that don’t change from century to century, such as the things we hold most precious and the things we fear the most. When I identify something in the past that has story value to the present, I just start stretching the idea to see how a present-day situation could be influenced by a unforgettable moment in the past. Usually when I come across a poignant or pivotal moment in history, there is something about it that speaks to us right now.

You have taught on writing a novel in just 30 days, would you care to give us a brief glimpse into your work with that?

I have found that if you are on very intimate terms with your novel’s plot and cast of characters you are well-equipped to start writing and enjoy some awesome momentum that - at least for me – allows me to write fast. 10 pages a day. Sometimes it's best to approach a big project with little, organized steps. I think of it as learning to produce 1½ pages an hour or 10 pages a day or one nicely-worded paragraph every five minutes. Before I begin the novel, I get the plot cemented in my head. I make sure I know what felt need I am going to address, and which reader sympathies I am going to appeal to. Then I make a character sketch of each cast member. The first character I develop is the one who is going be driving the plot, usually the protagonist. When I can deeply visualize all my characters, I usually do a better and faster job of creating action and dialogue for them. I give them hobbies, likes and dislikes, quirks, habits, talents, etc. Then I spend some time on their internal characteristics, especially the ones that will figure into the story arc. When I’ve decided on these details ahead of time, I find that I can usually write 10 pages a day for 30 days and not hit upon very many road blocks. Usually.

What inspires you in your writing life?

I guess you could say life inspires my writing life. I am wired to communicate, so as I observe life happening around me, I itch to say something about it, and the form of communication that scratches that itch best is writing. There is a world of truth out there that needs telling.

We all wish we could step back in time at one point or another, has there been any moments like that in your career that you wish you could go back and have a do over?

I can honestly say I can’t imagine doing anything differently and feeling okay with the unknown results. If I could go back and rewrite my own history, how would I know the results would be ones I would love or even like? With regard to my writing, if I did have the power to go back and take a different road, it would lead me to a place where I wouldn’t meet the same people I’ve met on this path. The friends I have made the past seven years I have been writing novels are so incredibly dear to me. I can’t imagine not knowing them or having them in my life to the extent I do now.

What advice do you have for the beginning/ struggling novelist?

First, surround yourself with other writers and begin to get some feedback from people whose opinion matters to you. Join the American Christian Fiction Writers (http://www.acfw.com/ ) and learn all that you can from the questions and answers that are posted to the main loop and in the forums and online chats. Novel-writing is a solitary pursuit so it’s wise to stay in community with other writers so that you can learn from them and grow as a writer.

When you have your novel finished or nearly finished, attend a writer’s conference so that you can share your concept one-on-one with editors and agents. There are many conferences to choose from. My favorite ones are the The Mount Hermon Christian Writer’s Conference (held every year the week before Palm Sunday) and The American Christian Writer’s Conference, held every third week of September. Both of these conferences are top-notch events, loaded with workshops to supercharge your writing. You can also sign up for 15 minutes of face-time with editors and agents at these conferences.

Subscribe to Writers’ Digest or another writing magazine that offers timely advice, interviews, and skill-building articles.

Keep writing, even when it seems like you are just swimming laps in a pool when no one is watching. Every Olympic medalist in swimming started out swimming laps in a pool when no one was watching.

How long did you write before getting “the call” and how did you make your writing available for the publishers?

I waited to post my proposal to an online site until my first book was finished. And while I waited to see if it would attract any interest I started researching for my second. I was found by my first publisher online, but the lion’s share of new writers are discovered at writers conferences during those 15-minute consultations with agents and editors. I definitely suggest you make your writing available for publishers to peruse after you’ve made it the best you possibly can. Have it finished, have it critiqued, have it edited. The competition is pretty stiff. You need to do all you can to have your project shine brighter than the thousands of other book ideas out there.

Of your books, does one stand out as being the “story of your heart” or a particularly moving one that has really stuck with you?

That answer changes every year when a new book comes out! Right now, Lady in Waiting seems the most personal and dear to me. It’s the newest and the closest to my heart. I suppose that might change in the fall of 2011 when A Sound Among the Trees is released!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I know I am very excited for your coming release, Lady in Waiting. Can you share a bit more about that before you go?

Lady in Waiting dovetails the historical account of 16-year-old Lady Jane Grey with a fictional woman named Jane whose husband becomes disillusioned with their marriage and walks out. Both women appear to be victims of other people’s decisions, but things aren’t always what they seem.

Lady Jane Grey was pushed to England’s throne in 1553 by power-hungry people who wanted a lot more than just a Protestant in power. Her story is one that shows the darker side of sixteenth-century politics. Lady Jane Grey is often remembered for being a pawn in doomed bid for power, bereft of choice and in the end a Protestant martyr, but she actually made significant life choices that impacted her fate as much as the choices that were made for her did.

My modern-day Jane, who finds an ancient ring that she believes belonged to Lady Jane Grey, sees parallels in her life and Lady Jane’s, especially when it comes to finding the courage to make a tough decision rather than defer. Through contemporary Jane, who is the collective “us” in the story, I want to convey that we can’t always choose our circumstances but we can always choose how we will respond to them.

We here at the Alley wish you the best Susan and look forward to more books from you in the future!

Thanks for having me!

Thank you for being here Susan, what a treat and honor! You can connect with Susan online here at her:

Website
Blog

What's Up the Street for Next Week?

A bend in the road. We often don't see it coming. Especially in life. An unexpected event, whether good or bad can take us on a dive in a completely new direction.

What would happen if we didn't follow that bend? If we decided that we were just fine and content to stay in the normal, familiar. I wonder how much we would miss out on. What surprises God might have in store just around the corner. And in writing nothing could be a more curvy journey.

So while you traverse the twists and turns to publication, or to the next WIP or even just to the computer to write, take a quick pit stop and check out what is around the corner here at the Alley.

Monday: A Heavenly Perspective to Character Development. With the ACFW fueling her inspiration, stop by to see what Pepper has to share with us today.

Tuesday: Sharing her thoughts and wisdom in the only way she can, Sherrinda entertains while inspiring.

Wednesday: The Essence of Plot will inspire your morning writing session. And if you have missed the first two "essence" posts, visit them here: Part 1 and Part 2 

Thursday: The last installment in Casey's Myth Buster series is up with Secondary Characters are Cardboard Cutouts. Hmm, does she really know what she is talking about? We shall see, won't we?

Friday: *drum roll please* KRISTA IS BACK! Launching into her new series with Romancing the Blog. It will be so good to have her back, so don't pass up this post!

Saturday: Pinch me, I must be dreaming... Laura Frantz is visiting the blog ladies and gentlemen, and doing a giveaway of both of her books! Don't miss this event, it will be tremendous fun!

SideWalk Talk

With a spectacular line up coming to the Alley in the next few weeks, I have to keep pinching myself about how blessed we are to secure these interview spots. How thrilling can it be to have these wonderful, accomplished authors here with us. Almost as good as going to ACFW!

10/9: Jack Cavanaugh on writing a series in order

10/16: Susan Meissner interview

10/23: Siri Mitchell interview

10/30: Camy Tang on acquiring an agent

NewsStand

October brings with it lovely fall colors and a new romance series to Pepper's blog! Seasons of Change: Falling Into Love with Mary Connealy, Julie Lessman, Margaret Brownley and more!

Be sure and check out Shannon Vannatter's blog, The Inkslinger Blog on October 1st when she hosts an interview she had with Casey on her "love story"

October 7th holds another interview date for Casey with Julia Reffner from Dark Glass Ponderings as she talks about the ministry of her blogging.

And now for your viewing pleasure, check out this links for photos of this past 2010 ACFW Conference. Enjoy!

Seekerville Does ACFW Indy with Missy

ACFW with Pepper!

ACFW Pics with Anita Mae Draper

Highlights of Indy with Laura Frantz

Pictures of ACFW with Beth Wiseman

ACFW Conference 2010 with Deborah Vogts

2010 ACFW Conference with Cecelia Dowdy

ACFW Conference Photos with Brandilyn Collins

Musings on the 2010 ACFW Conference with Jill Eileen Smith

What's Up the Street for Next Week?

ACFW Conference: Special Edition

Pepper with Mary Connealy

Were you left behind this year from all the conference excitement? Pining away that you have missed all the new knowledge and chance to converse with people that actually "get" you? Well fear no more! While we are home slaving over WIPS, conference recordings, books on the craft and prepping our blogs for a much needed dose of good old fashioned writing advice, the patrons of the ACFW conference have been stuffing knowledge within themselves like a student cramming for an exam. Not to mention all the calories from the Awards Banquet without the benefit of a treadmill.

Audra Harders, Pepper, Angie Dickens

Just dwell on all the things you are getting done that wouldn't have happened if you had attended. That's right, think positive and for a list of what to do during conference season, click here

But, I won't speak too loudly, because our own dear PEPPER is at the conference *quelling jealous envy* and she is going to check in and deck our weekend edition out with plenty of photos from the events! So you won't have to feel too left out. Just photoshop yourself in. Makes you feel like you were there. ;-)

Pepper and Linore Rose Burkard

So while Pepper is doing that, I am going to fill you in on what you have to look forward to on the Alley in our post conference edition. Who says you need to attend ACFW? You have us! Okay, maybe I shouldn't make that comparison.....

Monday: Pepper is blogging LIVE from the conference! Don't miss it.

Tuesday: Sherrinda is your hostess today and grab a pencile and pad, because Layers and Subplots is headed your way!

Wednesday: Expanding Setting, taking your setting onto a deeper level and make it a living character in your story.

Thursday: Ly. Was. Ing. Three little letters that can kill a manuscript... or can they? Myth Busters Installment #4 is headed your way today!

Friday: Sherrinda rounds out our month long series on Vacation Fridays, with a spectacular look at her past travels!

Saturday: Do you live with your characters? Does the thought scare you? Author Joseph Bentz (and speaker at ACFW, Pep did you go see him??) will be joining us to discuss this very topic.

NewsStand
The winner of Jody Hedlund's The Preachers Bride is... Carol N. Wong!!! Congratulations and thanks to Jody for visiting the Alley!

Take a deep breath. The conference and hubbub is almost over and you are returning with a fresh burst of new enthusiasm. Just what those suffering (or not so suffering) manuscripts need! But be sure and check out these author visits to the Alley for the month of October, they are sure to be loaded with wisdom!

10/2: Laura Frantz joins us (with a giveaway!)

10/9: Jack Cavanaugh is on the Alley

10/16: Susan Meissner is interviewed

10/23: Siri Mitchell is here! (pinch me! I can't wait!)

10/30: Camy Tang rounds out our month and shares much wisdom

SideWalk Talk

The ACFW banquet is tonight at 7:30 EDT and there is going to be a LIVEBLOG of the event! Check it out here, don't miss it! (I don't plan too :-)

Now sit back and enjoy the photos that Pepper has so graciously shared. Don't forget the captions if you have the time Pep! Have a great rest of the weekend everyone. :-)

Pepper and James Scott Bell

Melanie Dickerson and Pepper

What's Up the Street for Next Week?

Yahooooo! Strap on yer spurs, saddle up yer pony and dress up in yur best duds, 'cause the Fair has come to town!

Since I happen to be the one doing the weekend editions this month, and our local Fair just happens to be going on this week (or rather today, ending), our weekend edition is about going to the fair.... ya'll! ;-) (and just to be fair - pun intended- we really don't talk like that here.)

Do you enjoy attending the Fair in your community? I raised 4H sheep for 9 years and always had quite a few things in all the exhibit buildings and living in a small community Fair was/ is a pretty big deal for us. The excitement, the lights, the energy! Seeing people you don't see all year long at the Fair. I just love it all. :-)

So while I finish off the last of the Fair excitement in my hometown, see what is coming up here at the Alley for the week. Check back in with ya later. :-)

Monday: We write what you know and what we learn around us, even if it is our family. Pepper takes us on a journey to understand the pros and cons of writing fiction with our family experiences as examples.

Tuesday: Sherrinda has interviewed debut author, Jody Hedlund and rumor has it that there will be a giveaway, so don't miss this one!

Wednesday: Fatty. It can pervade our writing and bog it down in the mire of wordiness, but how can you make the novel longer while avoiding the excess and sprouting gray hairs? Mary will explain.

Thursday: Myth Busters #3: Backstory is Boooooring. Part three in Casey's month long installment is ready, will she dispute your myth?

Friday: Casey doesn't travel, doesn't really know how to do a vacation, so what she will post about today for the next installment of Vacation Fridays is ANYONE'S guess.

Saturday: Best selling, popular author, James Scott Bell was interviewed by our own Pepper, so stop by to read his interview. Sure to inspire and motivate!

SideWalk Talk

9/25: Joseph Bentz joins us for a talk about keeping your characters with you- the prons and cons of living with them

10/2: Laura Frantz comes by (with a giveaway of her books!) to share her experiences after the interview she had with Casey

10/9: Jack Cavanaugh teaches on writing a series in order, what tidbits of information will be dropped on our hungry ears? Stop back in to find out. :-)

10/16: Susan Meissner shares an interview she had with Casey just as the arrival of her latest book, Lady in Waiting hits the store shelves! Don't miss it.

NewsStand

The winner of Paper Roses from last weekend's special guest, Amanda Cabot is.... Edwina! Congratulations!

Our very own Pepper has WON the TARA writing contest! Woo-hoo Pepper!! Be sure and leave a comment with your congrats. :-)

Mary's blog is always hopping! Here is what is going on over there this week: Mon: Fall Tip # 2 How to Live Like a Wise King; Wed and Sat: Walk through Egypt during the time of the first plagues.

ACFWers are heading off to the conference in a few short days! Be watching for the coming weekend editions where I will include links to look at all the fun pictures from the events, for those of us who couldn't attend. :-(

Don't forget yur boots partner, we got a rip-roaring linup for ya. Don't miss it! (because if you do, you know what they say about the wild, wild west. Anything can happen. :-)