Author Interview: Darlene Franklin

Plug time. What book or project is coming out or has come out that you’d like to tell us about?

Heartsong Presents published my first book,
Romanian Rhapsody, in July of this year. Carrie Randolph and Steve Romero meet on a Christian singing tour to Romania. Carrie returns to Romania to work for two years in an orphanage. After Steve’s wife dies in childbirth, Steve returns to Romania to adopt a child. He and Carrie want to adopt the same child. One reviewer said “Darlene Franklin has written a novel sure to tug at your heartstrings. ROMANIAN RHAPSODY is a novel of love and loss, hope and happiness.” Another reviewer states “ROMANIAN RHAPSODY is packed full of inspiration, emotion and drama.” The book can be ordered at www.heartsongpresents.com or at amazon.com.

How long had you been writing seriously before you got “the call” that you were going to be published? Tell us how you heard and what went through your head.

Tracie Peterson critiqued the first chapter of Romanian Rhapsody at a writer’s conference. The manuscript passed through many hands and years but that initial critique led to the sale.

I had been writing for about ten years and had a few dozen short articles published. The night before Thanksgiving, I received an e-mail stating that Heartsong wanted to publish my book. Something to be truly thankful for!

Do you still experience self-doubts regarding your work?

Of course! Doesn’t everyone?! My work is beginning to find a market; but every time I read an exquisite piece of writing, I think, “I’ll never write like that. Who do I think I’m kidding?”

What’s the best advice you’ve heard on writing/publication?

The best advice on writing is the simplest: A writer must read, read, read and write, write, write.

Publication is a different matter. Networking has proved most profitable for me. As I have gone to conferences, joined writers’ organizations, and reached out to other writers, they in turn let me know about writing opportunities.

What’s the worst piece of writing advice you’ve ever heard?

I don’t know if it’s the worst, but it’s the most frustrating. “Be sure you know the name of the individual to send your manuscript to, and spell their name correctly.” That works as long as you met with the editor face to face and have their business card. But what do you do about a cold query? Often there is no name in the market guide and the not-so-helpful receptionist tells you “Address it to the editor.”

What’s something you wish you’d known earlier on that might have saved you some time/frustration in the publishing business?

When someone expresses interest in your work—even if it’s a rejection—follow up right away with another idea! One of my friends sent repeated queries to Today’s Christian Woman before receiving an acceptance.

Do you have a scripture or quote that has been speaking to you lately?

Regarding writing, God spoke to me through the tenth commandment: “Do not covet your neighbor’s house. Do not covet . . . any thing that belongs to your neighbor.”

Earlier in my writing career, I was dreadfully jealous of people who started writing when I did (or later!) who landed book contracts and published articles in high profile magazines. I would rationalize it to myself, saying “I’m happy for them. But why not me? I want what they have.”

God pointed out what should have been obvious: wanting what my neighbor has is the sin, whether I rejoice with them or begrudge them their success.

Is there a particularly difficult set back that you’ve gone through in your writing career you are willing to share?

I often seem to be a step too late. It’s discouraging to finish a manuscript and send it to the editor who requested it, only to find out that editor has left the company; or to write an article on spec and be told they have changed their format and content and your manuscript no longer suits their needs. I know it’s a part of the writing life, but it’s still very frustrating.

What are a few of your favorite books? (Not written by you.)

My favorite romance, barring the overdone sensual aspects, has to be The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffeneger. Dick Francis’ Sid Haley trilogy (Odds Against, Whip Hand, Come to Grief) are among my favorite mysteries. I am impressed by J.K. Rowling’s (Harry Potter) ability to mature her teenage characters book by book.

What piece of writing have you done that you’re particularly proud of and why?

That’s hard to say. I am proud of Romanian Rhapsody as my first published book; I am equally as proud of my latest project, Night Burning, a novel set during the Montgomery bus boycott, because of the way it stretched me beyond what I thought I could write.

My most improved piece of writing was an article entitled “Who Are You This Time?” published in Bible Advocate in 2003. I am proud of turning something that read like a poorly-written term paper about a biblical response to reincarnation to an entertaining and educational article.

Do you have a pet peeve having to do with this biz?

Being invited to submit something about a particular topic, only to be told “We just published something like your manuscript a short time ago; we can’t use your material.” Please tell me that up front!

Can you give us a view into a typical day of your writing life?

Ideally, I get up about 6:30 and have my quiet time, then sit down at the computer for 2 hours until I have to leave for work. I look at e-mails, play a computer game to make sure I’m awake enough to work, and then I begin working on my current project. I keep track of each day’s work in a journal. I do most of my research and e-mail responses in the evenings after work. I find I work most efficiently when under deadline.

If you could choose to have one strength of another writer, what would it be and from whom?

I would love to have Nevada Barr’s ability to describe setting and mood, without her anti-Christian bias.

Do you have a dream for the future of your writing, something you would love to accomplish?

To make enough to switch to part-time hours! To be able to write about my passion – African American history – both by growing as a writer, by finding a publisher willing to take a chance on a white writer writing about black culture, and for an open market.

Was there ever a time in your writing career you thought of quitting?

Many times. For five years I’ve felt like success was right around the corner. Why quit when I’m so close? But that elusive success – as defined by being able to partially support myself by writing – continues to stay just out of reach.

What is your favorite and least favorite part of being a writer?

My favorite part? Dreaming up stories. At heart I am a story teller, whether in fiction or nonfiction. I hear a snippet of history and ideas start flowing through my mind. The Underground Railroad in Ohio . . . the all-black settlements started during the Oklahoma land run . . . . You get the idea.

My least favorite part? Marketing. I wish I could write it and be sure more of my children would find a home!

Parting words

Enjoy the small things. Use every occasion as an excuse to reward yourself! Set goals you have control over: how many pages will you write each day? How many queries will you send out this year?

Did you write today? Rejoice! Have you sent out a query or submitted a manuscript? Rejoice! Was it rejected? Rejoice! Was it accepted? Rejoice! When you get the manuscript proofs – rejoice! When you get the hard copy – rejoice!

If you wait until you experience success – you may have forgotten how.