Author Interview - Kristin Heitzmann - Part I

Let's give a warm Christian Writer/Reader Connection welcome to author, Kristen Heitzmann. Be sure to read the whole post. There's a surprise at the end! 1. The Edge of Recall featured a Labyrinth Landscape Architect. How do you come up with such unique ideas?

My daughter, Jessie, and I were going to write The Edge of Recall together, and she actually chose the characters' professions. A history major, especially fond of the Medieval period and Literature, she is intrigued by Labyrinths. We thought it would be a neat element to work in, especially as they occur so frequently now as prayer walks in hospitals and retreat centers. We didn't get to complete it together, but I dove into the concept and found it sufficiently mysterious to support the suppressed memory and monster elements in the plot.

2. How do you go about writing a novel? Plotter, SOTP, combination, research?

I don't outline. My stories emerge organically from the characters and perhaps a main idea. It's much more fun for me that way, although lately the idea of structure has begun to appeal. I do research extensively, and sometimes that drives the plot as well.

Next week, we'll continue with Part II of Kristen's interview. To celebrate having her with us, I've decided to do a drawing for her book, The Edge of Recall. All you have to do is leave a comment with your email address, using the spam busting format. Example: susanjreinhardt (at) gmail (dot) com. The deadline is Saturday, November 28, 2009, at midnight.

Legalese: The contest is open to residents of the U.S. only due to various state laws. No fee is required to enter this drawing.