Ask the Author: Sandy Brehl
Answered Questions (6)
Sandy Brehl
BJORN'S GIFT, book two in an eventual trilogy, was never intended. The idea for it came form readers of the original (stand-alone-intended) book, ODIN'S PROMISE. That book only encompassed the first of five years of German occupation of Norway, as told through the life of an eleven-turning-twelve year old girl, her dog, and her family.
After readers completed it they were convinced, then insistent, that a sequel was needed. They had become so invested in the characters and the little village in which they lived that they were certain there were more stories to tell.
After months of additional research, I wrote the draft of a sequel and realized quickly that the characters and the history needed the space of two more books to share those stories effectively.
In BJORN'S GIFT Mari's story continues from mid 1941 until the start of 1943, during which many things change, including Mari's perspective on her world.
I'm looking forward to seeing if readers feel as strongly about the characters after reading this title. Please let me know how you feel after reading!
After readers completed it they were convinced, then insistent, that a sequel was needed. They had become so invested in the characters and the little village in which they lived that they were certain there were more stories to tell.
After months of additional research, I wrote the draft of a sequel and realized quickly that the characters and the history needed the space of two more books to share those stories effectively.
In BJORN'S GIFT Mari's story continues from mid 1941 until the start of 1943, during which many things change, including Mari's perspective on her world.
I'm looking forward to seeing if readers feel as strongly about the characters after reading this title. Please let me know how you feel after reading!
Sandy Brehl
It always seems I have more ideas than time, so I wish there were some way to block the clock- a magical power to start writing and not have to walk the dog or fix a meal or run an errand.
Sandy Brehl
Having readers who care about and connect with my characters. I write for my own sake, to slow down my thinking, to dig into history or other projects and really focus (I'm a bit of a flibberty-gibbet). But the bottom line is that I love knowing that what was in my head has somehow, through the magic of the written word, found its way into someone else's mind/life/heart. That is truly gratifying.
Sandy Brehl
READ. READ more. Read for the pleasure and entertainment of it,then go back and reread it like a writer, noticing how that author managed to make you want to keep turning pages, how s/he tugged at your heart of cracked you up, or wrote a phrase that sticks with you.
Then write. Write. WRITE!
Then go back and reread your own work to see if it entertains and gives you pleasure to read it.
Then write. Write. WRITE!
Then go back and reread your own work to see if it entertains and gives you pleasure to read it.
Sandy Brehl
The final book in the trilogy was "done", but a writer's truth is: When you say you're done you've just begun."
Now that all the revisions and tweaks are complete on BJORN'S GIFT I'm digging into that final book, MARI'S HOPE, to rework and align it with the first two novels, attempting to write a story that won't disappoint readers. It is currently scheduled for 2017 release, so I need to wrap up here soon and get back to work!
Now that all the revisions and tweaks are complete on BJORN'S GIFT I'm digging into that final book, MARI'S HOPE, to rework and align it with the first two novels, attempting to write a story that won't disappoint readers. It is currently scheduled for 2017 release, so I need to wrap up here soon and get back to work!
Sandy Brehl
Inspiration comes from many sources for various type of writing that I enjoy- poetry, picture book text, historical novels, contemporary novels, or nonfiction. In the case of this trilogy the inspiration came from the enthusiasm and trust of readers as well as the oral stories shared with me by those who had lived through the occupation.
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