Louise Gouge is here. Win her book!

Bio:
Award-winning Florida author Louise M. Gouge writes historical fiction, calling her stories “threads of grace woven through time.” In addition to numerous other awards, Louise is the recipient of the prestigious Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award. Married to David Gouge for forty-six years, Louise is a mother of four and grandmother of six children. In addition to writing, she teaches English and humanities at Valencia Community College in Kissimmee , Florida.

1. Tell us about your current release. A summary or back cover blurb will do nicely.
In At the Captain’s Command, a heroic British naval captain, son of an influential earl, dares to fall in love with a provincial American girl. Then he discovers her family’s devastating secret.

Loyal to the British Crown, orphaned Dinah Templeton has vowed never to marry a seafaring man, for her father died at sea and her merchant captain brother is always away. But when Captain Thomas Moberly sails into St. Augustine to defend the East Florida shores from American pirates, Dinah finds that her heart may overrule her head regarding this seafarer. Captain Thomas Moberly, captain of HMS Dauntless, has been assigned to capture the notorious American pirate Nighthawk, who plagues the Atlantic coast of East Florida. War-weary and hoping for a refreshing visit with his brother and sister, who live near St. Augustine, Thomas never expects to find love. But how can he resist the lovely Miss Templeton, even though she is what his father, Lord Bennington, would call a common American?

2. When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?
I’ve always had an active imagination, so it was a natural step to start writing down my stories. I didn’t have time to do it until my children were pretty much grown (they were in middle school and high school). But once I got started writing back in 1984 at the encouragement of a friend, I didn’t stop. I even went back to college and grad school so I could learn to write better.

3. How/where do you come up with ideas for your stories?
Stories are all around us. Sometimes a story can come from reading some historical detail or watching a documentary on television. My very first story was inspired by watching a father and son toss a football in a field outside my window. That story grew into my first two publishing credits. I look for the human element in any situation and try to choose a compelling story that will show my readers how God moves in our lives.

4. Writing historicals means tons of research. How do you do your research? Do you have all your facts ready before you sit down to write the story? Or do you research as you go along?
I love the research process, but story or research first? It’s different for each book. Sometimes I find that wonderful historical detail that sparks my imagination, and I rough out a story. I check online about the era and begin to flesh out the plot and setting details. Other times, I have a character in mind and try to discover what time period in which to set her or him. Yes, I definitely continue to research details as I go along. When I make an actual research trip to someplace like Boston, Nantucket, Annapolis, or St. Augustine, I prepare my questions carefully and contact the local historical societies beforehand. Historians are wonderful in sharing information to help authors make our stories historically accurate.

5. Who are some of your favorite authors?
Laurie Alice Eakes (Lady in the Mist), MaryLu Tyndall (Surrender the Night), and Ramona Cecil (Freedom’s Crossroad) not only are my favorite living authors but my former critique partners. Each of these ladies has a gift for bringing her characters to life and describing settings so subtly that readers feel as if they are there. My favorite authors of previous eras are Charlotte Bronte, Jane Austen, and Charles Dickens. Funny thing is that we consider them historical writers, but they were writing contemporary novels of their own times.

6. Did you have someone who really made a difference in your writing? A mentor that helped you get to where you are now?
How about a whole organization? American Christian Fiction Writers has made all the difference in my writing career. This is the place where I met and networked with agents, editors, and other writers. Before that, I had published two novels with a major publisher, but had only modest success. After joining ACFW, I saw a whole different world.

7. Where do you get your ideas for your characters? Are they based on people you know?
Just like my stories, my characters are all around me. Sometimes people inspire characters. Sometimes my character is a composite of more than one person. I always add my own touches. And like most authors, I’m always on the lookout for that one special character whose journey will have a huge impact on my readers. Someone like Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird or Jane Eyre in her self-named novel, characters whose person strength and core values are something we all can admire and hope to emulate.

8. What are your goals as a writer? Where do you see yourself five years from now?
I want to keep writing stories that inspire people to walk closer to Jesus Christ. I hope to still be doing that in five years.

9. What are you working on now or going to write next?

I’ve begun to write in the Regency period in England. It’s a delightful era that provides opportunity for both comedy and serious drama. But I also love to write Americana, especially post-Civil War stories. I’m waiting on the Lord for His direction.

10. How can your readers get in touch with you?
I love to hear from readers and always answer them. My website/blog is http://blog.Louisemgouge.com. Please write!

Thank you so much for stopping by, Louise! Love your answers and your books! I was in my local Christian bookstore just last night and saw it sitting proudly on the shelf. So, glad to have you.

All right, lovely readers, if you want a copy of this book, leave a comment and maybe tell us why you love to read historical books.

    The Conversation

  1. Hi Louise! Thanks for being here!

  2. Sheri says:

    Great interview.
    I love to read historical books because of the way that they take me back in time to a different world. It’s an escape from the here and now and I love it. One of my very favorite authors in historical fiction is also MaryLu Tyndall. :o)

    I would love a chance to read this book.
    sheri(dot)salatin(at)gmail(dot)com

  3. Katy says:

    I’d love a chance to win this book. 🙂 Why do I like reading historicals? Because I love history! And reading a historical fiction makes learning fun! 😉

    ~ Katy
    agirlslegacy(at)yahoo9dot)com

  4. Lisa Carter says:

    I love reading historicals because of a lifelong love of history. I have a Master’s in history and I’m southern. We’re like the Chinese—we eat a lot of rice and worship our ancestors. Also, in reading inspirational historicals I get to see/imagine God’s Hand at work in individual lives throughout history.

    Lisa Carter
    Sweet Tea with a Slice of Murder
    http://www.lisacarterauthor.com

  5. Great interview, Louise. Your new Regency project sounds like it’s going to be a lot of fun!

  6. Beth K. Vogt says:

    Enjoyed the interview! I like to read historicals because they provide a fresh glance at history–fact and fiction woven together equals fun!

  7. I love reading historicals as well as love to write them. Finding tidbits of history I didn’t know makes reaseaching them and reading them a lot of fun. I’d especially like this one from an author I admire and respect.
    marthalrogers(at)sbcglobal(dot)com

  8. Nice interview. I am a fan of historicals because it’s nice to imagine a time without cell phones and video games. The entertainment of days gone by is always fun to read about, especially if it’s a ball!

  9. Thanks everyone for stopping by! I, too, love historicals for some of the same reasons you all listed. I look forward to announcing the winner of Louise’s book on April 18th. If you left your email, you’ll get a private email telling you. If you didn’t leave an email address, you’ll have to check back to see if you won. Thanks again!

  10. Sandee61 says:

    I’m not a blogger, but an avid reader, especially Christian books, and would love a chance to win Louise’s newest book. I read and enjoyed Ahab’s Wife and the others in that trilogy. I read alot of genres, but historical is one of my favorites, especially those set at sea. I enjoy discussing and “raving” about good books I’ve read to my friends and family or anyone interested in reading. Have a blessed day!

    Blessings,
    Sandee61

    Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com

  11. Jo says:

    I’m a avid reader and love to read different genres of books. Fascinated by historical fiction as love to read about our country especially during colonial times.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

  12. Courtney says:

    This book sounds really great! I love reading historicals! I think it is just so fun to go back in that time period and imagine what it’s like to experience the things of that time like the fancy clothing and the lack of technology!

    kcmelone/at/yahoo/dot/com

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