photo © 2010 Simon Cocks | more info (via: Wylio)History really does repeat itself. When I finished writing Romance Rides the Range, Book One of my western series, I was planted (in spirit) on the Diamond S Ranch near Madera, California in the 1800's. I couldn't bear to say good-bye to the people who lived there. They had haunted my dreams, eaten at my table, perched on my computer, and influenced my life.
The same thing happened with Book Two, Romance Rides the River. Tangled, unexplored trails in the beautiful San Joaquin Valley and surrounding countryside lured me. Characters I had brought to life wanted back in my life. New characters clamored for a place in the sun. Romance at Rainbow's End is my response to these true-to-life "book friends" (and in a few cases, enemies) who refused to be silent.
Story Background
In 2005, Susan K. Marlow (my good friend and one of my top writing students) was going to San Francisco and Central California to research Circle C Adventures titles, a historical 'tween series (Kregel). I had been working on a historical novel set in San Francisco and the Madera/Yosemite area so I jumped at the chance to go with Susan. We gained valuable information by touring and observing, visiting libraries and historical sites, etc.
The novel for which I did the research never got off the ground. Yet none of the information I gathered while in California was wasted. (Research never is - smile.) After writing and selling Romance Rides the Range and Romance Rides the River, my original plot idea became an integral part of Romance at Rainbow's End.
More than a century had passed between Susan's and my visit and the olden days when Ellie and Josh rode the range and walked the streets of San Francisco. Yet as I wrote their [fictional] story I felt a kinship, a feeling of having been there, done that.
This title - like Romance Rides the Range and Romance Rides the River - recognizes God's unfailing love for all of His children; particularly for the "mavericks" who stray from His presence. May it serve as a reminder that we are branded with the name Jesus Christ and are called to round up others and establish His ownership. What a better way than to offer the world truly Christian novels that show the plan of salvation as a heart of a good story?
It's good to be reminded that nothing--not research, not experience, not even mistakes--will be lost or irredeemable in God's economy. Thanks, Colleen!
ReplyDeleteI've been a fan of Colleen's for years. So glad to see her here :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for this all-important reminder, Colleen! Blessings, Patti Jo Moore
ReplyDeleteP.S. When I "discovered" Christian fiction in the summer of 2006 (while recuperating from hernia surgery) your book SEATTLE was one of the VERY FIRST books I read---Loved it! :)
ReplyDelete~ Patti Jo
Colleen, it is a pleasure to see you writing again. You are really the forerunner author for me and others who started our writing careers with Heartsong Presents. Blessings to you.
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