Connie: Hello, Sharlene, I’m happy to have you here at OUAR for a visit. Please tell me a bit about yourself and what you’re working on now before I begin with the first question.
Sharlene: Hi there, and thanks for your interest in interviewing me. I’m a retired schoolteacher. I taught 2nd and 4th grades for 31 years. But when retirement drew near, I began thinking and praying about ‘next steps’ for my life. In the year 2000, God planted a passion in my heart for writing, so after I gave up my teaching career in 2003, I jumped headlong into my second career. And it’s been going strong ever since.
I enjoy reading, singing in the church choir and worship teams, traveling, and spending time with my family, which now includes two very wonderful, adorable grandsons, and in June 2008—another grandchild—this time a GIRL!
I’ve been married to a wonderful man for 32 years, I’m an occasional speaker for my local MOPS organization, am involved in KIDS’ HOPE USA, a mentoring program for at-risk children, I counsel young women in the Apples of Gold program, and am active in two weekly Bible studies. (Whew! When do I have time to write?) Cecil, my hubby, and I live in Spring Lake, Michigan with our lovable collie, Dakota, and Mocha, our lazy, fat cat.
Connie: It sounds like your life is very busy, but full and blessed.
Inspirational fiction whether historical or contemporary most always focuses on relying on God and growth as a Christian to name a couple of things. How are you able to maintain the balance of touching on a situation or subject that many often find themselves struggling with and giving food for thought yet not coming across as preachy or pushy?
Sharlene: Since it’s my desire to reach a wide spectrum of readers (mostly teen girls and women), I try to avoid over-spiritualizing because I KNOW a good share of my readers will be non-Christians, and I don’t want them throwing my book across the room before they reach chapter three. The last thing I want to do is turn my readers off to the Gospel, so I do try to keep the message ‘pointed’, not ‘pushy’. In other words, after people finish my books, they will have heard about Christ’s unconditional love and forgiveness through a sprinkling of scriptures and narrative, but they won’t have been bombarded with preachiness.
Connie: Can’t think of a better way through fiction to reach your audience.
You have the Little Hickman Creek series, which is set historically, and then there’s Through Every Storm and the upcoming Long Journey Home, both of which are contemporary. Do you find you favor one time period over another or find one easier to write than the other?
Sharlene: I actually enjoy both genres, but I’m currently concentrating on writing historical fiction, so that’s where my mind is focused for now. I like variety, though, both in my reading and writing.
Connie: Variety can keep you fresh and drive away any potential boredom, too.
It can sometimes be distracting to read a book and have a lot of head-hopping. What was your first experience with POV shifts, Sharlene? Were you aware of the dynamics such as this when you wrote your first MS?
Sharlene: When I wrote my first-ever novel in 2000, it was for the pure joy and pleasure of it. I had just discovered a long-sleeping passion, and the fire literally burned through my soul. I think I wrote something like 90K words in 3 ½ weeks! Of course, I found out later how "stinky" that manuscript was after I joined some online writers’ groups and started learning the intricacies of writing. In the beginning, I’m sure I switched POVs constantly, messed up tags, and wrote in the passive voice way too often. In fact, I’m still learning the ropes.
Connie: Now that you’ve learned many of the dynamics of writing even though as you said you’re still learning the ropes, how/when do you decide the point of view needs to shift to another character or scene? Are you conscious of doing so, or has it come to be a matter of course for you?
Sharlene: I never put two POVs in the same scene without a dotted line to show the change. I know many authors move freely from one head to the other and can even get away with it, but I’m not comfortable doing it (and I don’t enjoy reading head-hopping novels), so I always split my POVs with a dotted line or simply end the chapter. I hate having to reread a scene because the author switched POVs without my realizing it.
Connie: Dynamics aside, what have you learned about yourself through the journey of becoming a published author? What has surprised you about yourself?
Sharlene: Wow, that question has brought me to a standstill. Okay, after a bit of deliberation, I’ve realized no matter our age or position in life, God is NOT done with us until He says so! I used to hear the phrase, "God has a perfect plan for your life." I, of course, believe it with all my heart, but I always interpreted it as being more relevant to the younger generation. I didn’t realize that after I retired from 31 years of teaching God would not want me to simply rest and enjoy retirement.
I envisioned myself reading more, taking naps (ha!), cleaning my house at my leisure, spending hours practicing my domestic skills (ha again!), and maybe even learning a craft—like knitting or crocheting. Not! Instead, God has thrust me into this very, very busy world of writing deadlines, radio, TV, and online interviews, and traveling to conferences, book-signings, and retail shows. And I only see things getting busier. BUT – I’m living out my passion and enjoying serving God in a whole new way, completely different from my teaching career, mind you, but every bit as rewarding! There is NOTHING like the feeling of living in the center of God’s will and "plan" for your life.
Connie: Thank you for such an honest and open answer. And for the reminder!
Sharlene, how does writing up your visual for the beginning, middle, and end differ from a semi-detailed/detailed outline? Even with the visual filed away for reference, have you ever written yourself into a corner and found yourself having to do a bit of rewriting?
Sharlene: Make no mistake – I am a seat-of-the-pants writer! And, yes, I write myself into little corners all the time. I’m like the little ol’ lady who screams, "Help! I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!" Only I’m crying, "Help! My characters have a mind of their own and they won’t tell me where they’re going!" As a writer, I don’t function well with outlines. I do have a clear beginning, middle, and end in mind for my stories, but usually the middle changes on me! The main thing I do before launching into a story is get my characters all lined up. Since they’re the ones who wind up telling the story, I need to have them all "straight" in my mind. I usually do this by making a folder of each character, noting personality, unique habits and quirks, and physical traits. I refer back to these folders often, add information as I go, and jot down anything pertinent to the story that will help me later – like when I write myself into a corner!
Connie: Got to find your way out of the corner somehow!
Has the research for your historical and contemporary novels been both different and the same? Does the 19th century require more in-depth research avenues taken than the 21st century?
Sharlene: Definitely more research for the historical settings.
Connie: Now that you have the first series under your belt, and are working on The Daughters of Jacob Kane series, do you have any other series simmering on the back burner? Hmm, a cozy mystery series? : - )
Sharlene: Hmm, I don’t think I’m much of a mystery writer. Yes, there was a hint of mystery in Courting Emma when Emma started receiving letters from an unknown source, but I truly had to "work" at making that an intriguing aspect. I enjoy reading the occasional mystery, but writing one is another thing for me. Besides, I don’t think I’ve quite drained my creative writing well dry on the historical romance series. I hope to do another one after finishing The Daughters of Jacob Kane – maybe the next one with a western setting.
Connie: A western series by one of my sister’s favorite authors, well you’d have her as well as many others, happy, that’s for sure.
I know your writing career has recently begun to blossom, Sharlene, but years from now, when you retire, how do you want to be remembered by your peers? By the readers?
Sharlene: My heartfelt, deepest prayer is that Christ will shine through my "feeble, inept" words and bring my readers to a saving knowledge of Christ. It’s a humbling thought that Christ would choose to use me in this way, but it’s my longing and desire. And by the way, I don’t see myself retiring from this career. I envision myself writing into my 80s and 90s – providing I can still sit in an upright position. haha
Connie: Well, we can say it’s a matter of record "just in case" you ever do retire. How’s that?
Getting to know you better, now…Which historical figure would you most like to visit with?
Sharlene: I don’t know if you’re familiar with Hannah Whitall Smith who wrote The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life. This book meant so much to me when I was in college in that "seeking" mode. She was a woman who spoke her mind and boldly proclaimed her faith, an amazing writer for her time.
Connie: Would you share some of your favorites with me and what makes them such a favorite?
Sharlene: Ice cream--Hm-hm, chocolate or chocolate almond, or chocolate fudge, or triple chocolate, or chocolate/chocolate chip, or, well, you get the idea. Why? Because God created me with this terrible yearning for chocolate.
Dessert--Why, ANYTHING CHOCOLATE, of course! In fact, as I sit here doing this interview, my stomach is reacting a little ‘queasily’ from all the chocolate-covered pretzels I’ve been downing!
Movie star from the 30’s, 40’s, or 50’s--Love the old Doris Day/Rock Hudson movies
Flower(s)--Daisies, roses, tulips
Connie: Chocolate is GOOD while watching Send Me No Flowers. Love the flower choices, too. Daisies are "happy" flowers.
I see you enjoy the big band era, Sharlene. Would you include, say, Dean Martin in your favorites or perhaps Frank Sinatra…others?
Sharlene: Absolutely! I love the big-band sound and those guys truly embody that era. Also love Ella Fitzgerald. Her music always puts me in a romantic frame of mind. I’m so happy there’s still a demand for that kind of music.
Connie: Love that kind of music. Love Dean-o, a lot!
Using 4 words, tell me how you see yourself. And your husband? What 4 words does he use to describe how he sees you?
Sharlene: Shar: JOY-FILLED, CONTENTED GRANDMA
Cecil: TRUE MAN OF GOD.
How Cecil describes Shar: LOVES LIFE AND CHRIST.
Connie: A perfect way to end our chat. But before we say goodbye, is there anything I forgot to ask that you’d like the readers to know?
Sharlene: Thanks so very much for allowing me to share. Please come visit me at any of my websites or drop me an email. I love praying for my readers, so if anyone has a need she wants to share, I promise to pray for that need.
May God bless you with abundant hope and joy!
http://www.sharlenemaclaren.com
http://www.sharlenemaclaren.blogspot.com
http://shoutlife.com/sharlenemaclaren
smac@chartermi.net
Connie: It’s been a pleasure to have you here, Sharlene.
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