Welcome, Sandra. I am honored to have you on my website. Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a wife, mom, and grandmother. I hated becoming an “empty-nester” until I started watching my grandson three days a week. He’s a treasure! I have always loved history. I tried to steer our family vacations toward historical sites and museums. As long as we did other “modern” activities most of the time, I didn’t receive too much resistance. How and when did you begin to write? I became interested in writing in elementary school. I wrote my first novel while in sixth grade! Lack of encouragement led me to push aside my writing dream. God gave it to me again a dozen years ago. I’m so glad He did! How did you first become a published writer? Many experienced authors at writing conferences told me that no one gets a book published before getting a short story or articles published first. I began writing devotions, articles, and short stories. My first published writing was a devotion for ChristianDevotions.com. My first paid published writing was also a devotion. The check was for $20. I remember opening the envelope carefully. I stared at the check. It meant something. Can you give our readers a short description of _your latest Civil War romance, A Rebel in My House? A Rebel in My House is set during the turbulent Battle of Gettysburg. The townspeople lived through a nightmare that extended months beyond the battle. This novel gives a glimpse of that suffering through the eyes of a Gettysburg seamstress. A Confederate soldier caught behind enemy lines after retreat needs her help. Sheltering him ushers in more difficulties than she ever imagined. Lines become blurred as her feelings for him grow. Loyalties threaten to divide them as Confederates seize the town. Both have made promises to family members. Some promises are impossible to keep. Here is a link to my book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_j3JI-wECyY&feature=youtu.be. What led you to write it? When it came time to write my next Civil War romance, I felt Gettysburg drawing me. There was a story waiting for me there. When my husband and I traveled to Gettysburg on a research trip, I didn’t know my story. Exploring the battlefields showed me that I wanted our hero to be a Tennessean. They were part of the initial battle on July 1st and ended it as part of Pickett’s Charge. The next piece was discovering our heroine. When I visited sites in town, a fearful story unfolded. The residents endured a nightmare. I decided I had to show their difficulties through the eyes of Sarah, a Gettysburg seamstress. What are you working on now? I have begun to write my next Civil War romance. This one is set in the South with Southern characters. A friend had mentioned that a married couple served together in the same regiment. This sparked my interest and I began to research. I found many surprises that I will share with readers as the story unfolds in A Lady in My Regiment. Do you have any advice for beginning writers? Learn the craft of writing. We all write everyday—notes, letters, recipes—but there is much to learn beyond those daily needs. Take writing classes, correspondence classes, online classes. Find writers’ conferences nearby and attend them. Join a writers group. Begin learning and begin writing. This is a skill that improves with lots of practice. Do you have a Bible verse that is especially dear to you? I have so many! Today I will share this one: Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:30-31 (NIV) Where is your favorite writing space? If you could design the perfect place, what would it look like & where would it be located? What time of day are you most productive? I love to write outside but nature, while it inspires me, also distracts me. I write best in my office with the fan running to mask background noises. I seem to be more productive in the afternoon though I write at all waking hours. How can my readers find out more about you and your work? I’d love for readers to visit and follow my website, Historical Nibbles, at: https://sandramervillehart.wordpress.com/ Other places they can find me are: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sandra.m.hart.7 Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/sandramhart7/ Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/100329215443000389705/posts Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8445068.Sandra_Merville_Hart Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sandra_M_Hart
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