Christine Kohler

Oct 10, 2013 7:19 AM EDT

I lost the first 12 chapters of the most recent draft of my YA novel in a computer battle and you've motivated me to finish rewriting those chapters. I've bullied my computer in to submission so it can never pull such a stunt again,

- Betty J. Erickson

Oct 10, 2013 11:00 AM EDT

Betty, thank YOU for the encouragement. I miss teaching and so this is my way of giving back to the writing community. You encouraged me today by letting me know this article inspired you to press through despite difficulties--not just those of the techno-kind, but rewriting and revising.

btw, I highly recommend investing in Carbonite and using the free Dropbox. (Neither companies give me a penny of compensation to say this.) I had a major meltdown in 2010 when my laptop was stolen one day before I began a huge (i.e. big bucks!) job as consultant and lead editor on a project. I decided I never wanted to go through that much stress again over losing my computer without warning. That's when I did a little investigating in the best way to back-up everything instantly, and invested in Carbonite and Dropbox.

- Christine Kohler

Nov 11, 2013 10:06 AM EST

Jacquelyn Mitchard is one of my favorite authors, and I think it's wonderful that she's with Merit Press.

Christine, your book sounds fascinating!

- Julie Musil

Nov 11, 2013 10:35 AM EST

Thanks Julie! I'm very honored to have had Jackie--Oh! (as in Oprah Winfred Book Club)--Mitchard select my novel NO SURRENDER SOLDIER! I, too, have read many many novels by Jackie. One of my favorites, besides her debut, is SECOND NATURE about the woman who received new skin. To me it's very deep about inner and outer beauty.

- Christine Kohler

Mar 17, 2017 4:48 AM EDT

I just came to your blog while researching Jacqueline. Great interview!

- Carol Baldwin

Mar 17, 2017 6:06 AM EDT

Carol, as an update, Merit Press is now an imprint of Simon & Schuster. Jackie is still editor of Merit.

- Christine Kohler

Jun 27, 2013 4:04 AM EDT

Thanks for sharing your story on the changing book publishing industry. Sometimes I wish it would slow down a bit, but not all the way back to 1985! Congratulations on your upcoming release. Sounds like you are jumping right into the whirlwind of promotion and fun! Best wishes..

- J.Q. Rose

Jun 28, 2013 12:20 PM EDT

Thank you, J.Q.! I don't want to turn back the calendar to 1985 either. But I can't begin to count how many times I say to myself, "If I were younger and starting over..." then remark on something I would do. The problem is, like most things in life, is that it is the wisdom of hindsight which makes us reflect how we would do things differently. And no one singly has that hindsight. That's why I advise people to join organizations such as SCBWI and listen to voices of experience of older authors.

- Christine Kohler

Feb 19, 2013 3:35 AM EST

The 'what if' question is one of the biggies but I find myself freguently surprised by 'breakout' characters. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about--the one that take on a life (and story!) of their own. Sometimes they don't even have to act in a story; they're simply a name. I discovered this when scanning my primary novel-in-progress. I came across just a name and the 'what if' question flashed through my mind: What if this character did show up? They would certainly raise a few eyebrows. Now what is his story? Yes, here comes another one! And I'm writing that one, too. Summation: Everyone has a story.

- SE Hudnall

Feb 19, 2013 9:49 AM EST

SE, yes, I've heard writers say that a minor character took the stage/page stronger than the main character (MC), so the writer had to give minor his/her own book!

In the case of NO SURRENDER SOLDIER, the real NSS, Yokoi, did become real to me, captured my imagination, as I tried to figure out why he would stay hidden in (under!) the jungle long after Japan lost the war. So from the very beginning, this was a character-driven novel.

Editors today say they prefer character-driven to plot-driven stories. So pull up a chair and keep listening to your characters when one wants to tell you her story.

- Christine Kohler

Feb 19, 2013 4:19 PM EST

Congratulations on signing your contract. Great news!

I tend to start by mulling over a character for a story. I've been told that dialogue is one of my stronger areas. My characters talk to me, and I talk back. Makes for realistic conversation when I write it down.

- Donna Shepherd

Feb 19, 2013 5:06 PM EST

Congratulations Christine!

- Susan Hornbach

Feb 19, 2013 6:44 PM EST

Thanks Donna and Susan! Donna, I like how you say, "and I talk back." It sounds as if you do more than just interview the characters. It sounds as if you challenge what they do and say. Give them sass, girl!

- Christine Kohler

Feb 20, 2013 7:25 AM EST

Looking forward to reading this, Christine!

My ideas usually come initially from some hidden piece of history that grabs me emotionally. I get the urge to tell that story and especially how it impacted human beings at ground level. So I research a ton to find out just how the story played out and how different people fared in that context. I usually gather my major plot points from things that happened to real people in history. Not famous one. just the average person.

But the details tend to reflect my own experiences. This is where the universality of human experience comes into play. Imagining how I'd react in the same circumstances. Remembering when I felt betrayed or sad or fearful or safe and translating that into my character's experience.

- JoyceMoyerHostetter

Feb 20, 2013 10:28 AM EST

It really shows in your stories, too, Joyce! Anyone who is not familiar with Joyce's novels should read BLUE and HEALING WATER. (COMFORT is in my tbr stack.) BLUE is a five-hankie read, at least. It is evident that you found the emotional core of the characters. I love HEALING WATER, set in the leper colony in Hawaii, because of my years in Hawaii and learning its history. It is evident that Joyce is a first-rate researcher by the way she transports readers into setting and historical context. Joyce, next month I'm going to post on NF, THE BEDROCK OF FICTION. I'd love it if you chime in then and tell us a bit about your research close to home. How you were challenged to find a story close to home, and that challenge led to the publication of BLUE.

- Christine Kohler

Feb 25, 2013 5:11 AM EST

That is super exciting news! It must have been a neat experience to work with the legendary Ms. Mitchard. The topic of the book is fascinating too, even if I'm not usually a history buff. My mom had some traumatic things happen during WWII which has made me more inclined to read about that time period. Congratulations!!

- Teresa Robeson

Feb 26, 2013 5:53 PM EST

Thank you, Teresa! It is a huge honor to work with Jackie Mitchard. I'm hoping NO SURRENDER SOLDIER appeals to readers who don't normally read historical. I'd say the foreign setting is stronger than dating the book in 1972. Yeah, there are a few 70s references, but nothing that makes you feel as if you're sitting in a room of multi-colored shag carpet or avocado kitchen appliances. lol You'll have to read it after it comes out in Fall 2014 and see what I mean. Then you be the judge, and call me on it if I'm wrong. :-)

- Christine Kohler