The Promise Box Q&A and Facebook Party

Disclosure:  This is not a compensated post.  I am a member of the Tricia Goyer Fiction Launch Team and am posting for my readers' enjoyment. I received a copy of the book for an upcoming review.


Q & A with Author Tricia Goyer

In celebration of the release of The Promise Box, Tricia Goyer recently answered some great questions from readers:

Laurel Thomas: How do you pick Bible verses for your books?

Each of my books has a theme. In fact this is the first thing I figure out with all of my books. For example, in The Promise Box my focus was “truth.” Throughout the book the Scriptures I picked spoke truth into a character's situation. Many of the Scripture verses in the books were ones that spoke to my life. They are seeds of truth I've planted within my own life that find themselves on the page.

Laurel Thomas: Do you actually try the dishes that characters eat?

I have tried some of the Amish recipes. I've made whoopie pies and some of the other treats. But some things I've tasted from Amish restaurants and I didn't make . . . but I haven't had anything that I didn’t like! The Amish have very good taste!

Sarah Reed Levels: How do the Amish deal with adoption?

The Amish deal with adoption just like anyone else. They have to follow the same laws and go through the same processes. Adoption isn't common, but it does happen in the Amish community.

Jalynn Patterson: How do you pick characters for your books?

I had to think about this question for a while because the characters seem to pick me! When I get the idea, the people sort of show up. When I first thought of The Promise Box I immediately saw Lydia with her red hair blowing in the breeze as she drove up to the West Kootenai.

I do have a “characters” board on Pinterest, and I do find inspiration after looking at faces and expressions: http://pinterest.com/triciagoyer/characters/

When I was thinking about The Promise Box, this image really stood out to me as Lydia: http://pinterest.com/pin/108156828523843059/

I felt her uncertainty and vulnerability, and that came out on the page.

Jalynn Patterson: How do you come up with a storyline? Do you have a process you go through?

My process.

The title of the book usually comes first and the general idea of what will happen. The characters soon follow, and they're usually dragging BAGGAGE. I use a lot of baggage in my books: past pain, hurt relationships, burdens, and regrets.

Then I think about the theme. For The Promise Box, it was TRUTH. Any time my characters grew in truth, walked toward truth, and turned to Jesus—our TRUTH—then things went well. Any time they focused on lies or mistruth, then things got hard for them. Just coming to this realization helps me shape the main plot points of my novel.

Since I have two characters they will each have their own struggles, but they will both deal with the same theme. Lydia needed to discover the truth of her birth. Gideon needed to discover the truth of the day he got lost. Of course as they both try to come to terms with the truth, a dance happens where they are pulled together and pushed apart.

Once I get the main plot points written down, then I start writing. I usually write the first chapter, but then after that I'll jump around. I'll move from the beginning, to the end, and then I'll write a little here and a little there throughout the book. I usually hit the main emotional scenes and focus on those first. I have those scattered throughout the book.

After I have about 1/2 of the book in pieces, I then start from the beginning of the book, starting over at chapter one and moving through the manuscript. By this point the whole story is already in my mind—like a movie—and it's just getting it on paper!

Join Tricia at her Upcoming Facebook Party:

Tricia Goyer is celebrating the release of her lastest novel, The Promise Box (Zondervan), by hosting an Amish Baking Box giveaway and connecting with readers during her June 12th Book Chat Party!

One "promising" winner will receive:

• Apron, hot mitts, and kitchen towels
• Amish baking items (rolling pin, pie plate, etc...)
• Sherry Gore's Simply Delicious Amish Cooking
• The Memory Jar and The Promise Box by Tricia Goyer 

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 11th. 

Winner will be announced at the "The Promise Box" Facebook Author Chat Party on June 12th. 

Connect with Tricia for an evening of Amish fun - book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Tricia will also share an exclusive look at the next book book in the Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series and give away books and other fun prizes throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of The Promise Box and join Tricia on the evening of June 12th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 12th!

 

 

Disclosure:  This is not a compensated post.  I am a member of the Tricia Goyer Fiction Launch Team and am posting for my readers' enjoyment. I received a copy of the book for an upcoming review.