Last fall, I had the pleasure of hanging out with authors Karen Witemeyer (who we all know well here at Inspired by Life), Kristi Ann Hunter, and Sarah Loudin Thomas at the American Christian Fiction Writers conference. We all write for Bethany House and Karen, who’s become quite the matriarch of Bethany House novella collections, floated the idea of a multi generational novella collection.
You see, Kristi writes stories set in Regency England. Karen writes the American West. Sarah writes mid-twentieth century settings. And I write modern day stories.
What if we were to write about four heroines descended from one another, linked by a piece of jewelry handed down through the generations?
L to R: Kristi, Karen, Sarah, me
Karen followed up with us after the conference. We brainstormed via Skype (with only minor technical difficulties) and decided that our piece of jewelry would be a Luckenbooth brooch and that it would come complete with a family legend. Family legend: the bearer of the brooch shall be destined to find true love.
Here’s the photo Karen sent us of the brooch we purchased for the collection’s cover art. Do you see the silver interlocking hearts that form its base? Luckenbooth brooches date back to 17th century Scotland. They were given as betrothal gifts, wedding gifts, and love tokens.
I decided to participate in this upcoming novella collection for a few reasons….
#1 I really like the other ladies involved.
Here’s a photo of me, Karen, Jody, and Katie Ganshert taken this past April. This picture never fails to make me think of the game Clue. “It was Miss Ganshert, in the library, with the telephone cord!”
#2 I really like the multi generational novella idea. It sparked my creativity and imagination!
#3 I really like offering a Christmas-set story as a companion piece to my family series. I wrote a Christmas short story entitled The Proposal for my Porter series. (By the way, should you be in the mood for a little holiday cheer in June, The Proposal is free for download until midnight for those of you with Kindles.) I wanted to write something Christmas-y for my Bradford Sisters series, too.
All that to say, I’m currently writing a Christmas-set novella that ties into my Bradford Sisters series for a multi generational novella collection featuring a magical old brooch. The collection will be available in the fall of 2018 and is, as yet, untitled.
I can tell you that my story is about a heroine named Maddie who works at a chocolate shop called Sweet Art….
And a hero named Leo who’s a history professor….
And that Maddie and Leo live in a quaint little town in the Pacific Northwest called Merryweather….
For the past two weeks, it’s been Christmastime in my imagination!
What are you up to this summer? Are you a fan of multi-generational stories?
Becky Wade
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I’m so excited to be working on this project with you, Becky! It’s going to be so much fun. 🙂 I loved seeing your inspiration photos. Leo the history professor is looking pretty hunky, I must say.
I’m still finishing up my main novel, so I won’t get into the Christmas spirit until August, but I’m looking forward to seeing this collection come together!
Leo the history professor looks pretty hunky to me, too. 😉
I’m glad to be a part of this project with you, Karen!
I’m a history major and none of my history professors looked like that!! WOW! I went to the wrong school!!
I’m excited for this collection since I started reading Karen’s books on Becky’s recommendation!
Ha! I went to the wrong school, too, Melissa!
This sounds like a fun collection! And if it means another Bradford story, then all the better! I hope to polish up two picture book manuscripts by the end of the summer. Maybe 3 if I’m really motivated! 😊
I didn’t realize that you wrote picture books, Jennifer! I started reading picture books to my oldest (now 16) when she was a baby and still read them to my 8 year old from time to time. I’m a fan! May God bless your writing this summer.
Thanks, Becky!
My husband and I are excited about going on a mission trip to the Czech Republic this summer and later on a trip to visit relatives in Atlanta, GA.
Yes, I’m a fan of multi-generational stories and love your idea of tying together descendants’ stories with a common piece of jewelry that is passed down. I’ll look forward to reading your collection.
Thanks, Suzanne! Wow — your mission trip to the Czech Republic sounds amazing. No doubt, you’ll be ministered to as you minister to others.
I love multi-generation stories. Looking forward to reading it.
Thank you, Robin!
Oh this sounds so fantastic!!! I love books like this. I can not wait!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing.
My pleasure, Emily. It makes me happy to hear that you love books like this. Yay!
What a fun idea! It’s so fun to get creative with friends. Can’t wait to read it.
Thanks for stopping by the blog, Angela!
Wow! Can’t wait to read it! I enjoy multi-generational stories. Love your books!!!
Thanks, Becky!
Love be the idea. And even better that it ties in to your series. Can’t wait to read it.
Yep! My head is firmly rooted in the world of the Bradford sisters at the moment. Thus, the idea of writing a novella set in their world appealed to me much more than launching a whole new town and cast of characters.
Can’t wait till the release! My favorite authors in one wonderfully creative book of novellas! I love multigenerational stories.
And for this summer….what else is there to do except hang out poolside while the kids swim?
I’m doing as much “hanging out poolside while the kids swim” as I possibly can! Always with a book in my hand. Heaven!
What a cool idea!! Very excited to read each of these stories! Love the brooch you all chose! By the way, love the “Clue” picture…I love both the board game and the movie and even before reading the caption thought, “Library? Was it Professor Plum or Miss Scarlet? Candlestick or Revolver?”. Perhaps I’ve seen the movie one too many times? 😉
We’re kindred spirits, Crissy! That photo took both of our minds in the same Clue direction.
Your post makes me want to dig out our Clue board game…. It was a favorite of my oldest daughter’s when she was younger.
I really enjoy reading multigenerational stories. And reading Christmas stories in the hot summertime seems to make me feel a little cooler, if only in my imagination.
I’ll spend the summer looking after my elderly mother. Her health is declining little by little. I hope to also read every chance I can get to sneak in a chapter or two.
My thoughts are with you and your mom, Gail.
“reading Christmas stories in the hot summertime seems to make me feel a little cooler, if only in my imagination.” Precisely! We get a lot of Christmas at Christmas time. It’s fun to receive of dose of Christmas weather, Christmas decorations, and Christmas food in the summer.
The doctor has put me on a medication for a while that unfortunately has the side effect of raising your heart rate and blood pressure so she told me to stay inside for the summer in the air conditioning and take it easy. I’m sure not having as clean and neat a house and yard is going to get on my nerves, but I am looking forward to all that extra reading time.
Reading is one definite benefit of your doctor’s “take it easy” prescription. I hope your heart rate and blood pressure level off and that you’re feeling better very soon, Linda.
This collection sounds wonderful. I love it when every novella in the collection is by a favorite author. That way there won’t be a single story I don’t enjoy. Are all the novellas set at Christmas time or just yours?
Good question! There’s some flexibility there from author to author. But as of now, I think that the other three authors are also planning to set their stories during the Christmas season.
What a wonderful idea! I love it, and can’t wit to read the collection. Yay!
What fun to see you here! Thanks, Jessica!
What a fabulous idea! I love multi generation stories! I can’t wait to read it. You all are wonderful authors! Have a great week!
Thanks, Beth! I’m encouraged to see that so many of your enjoy multi generation stories. For me, as a reader, following one family through generations adds nostalgia and richness to the reading experience.
If I discovered a history professor who looked like that when I was in college, I may have switched majors! My Latin professors looked a little, uh, different.
LOL!!!
This collection sounds great! I do like multi-generational stories. Four of my favorite authors in one book is a winner for me. You must have a tough job scouring the web to find hunky photos as inspiration for your heroes. Nice work with Leo.
“You must have a tough job scouring the web to find hunky photos as inspiration for your heroes.” Very tough! Ah, the life of an author. So trying. 😉
I don’t recall ever reading a multi generational collection of stories before, but I absolutely love the idea of it. I can not wait to this collection of novella’s to come out! With you four ladies I bet it will be amazing!
Thanks, Lisa!
So excited about this multi-generational book. The brooch is stunning (especially since my favorite color is purple), and Leo isn’t too bad himself! Hey, there Mr. Smexy-As-All-Get-Out!!! Super excited to read this novella since I’m in the midst of reading “Heart on the Line” right now and have been a Team Wade fan from day 1.
Just returned from my rainy beach vacation (thanks Tropical Storm Cindy! :-() so the next trip I’m looking forward to is the CFRR in Cincinnati. Hopefully, lots of sunshine will abound there amongst some of my favorite authors (pointing at you, Mrs. Wade!)
Oh no (about your rainy beach vacation)! As I was watching the news coverage, Amy, I definitely did think about all the tourists trying to enjoy their vacation time in the midst of a tropical storm. !!
Here’s hoping for abounding sunshine in Cincinnati!
Yay yay yay!! I’m so stinking excited!! I love it!! You had me at brooch!!
Ha! I’m not surprised to hear that, coming from the jewelry lady. 🙂
This sounds lovely! I’ll be excited to read this one, and your spring 2018 novel too! Congrats to you and your co-authors, Becky. 🙂
Thank you, lovely Rissi!
My history professor would be multi-generational to Leo. LOL The book sounds great, and such great authors!!! And what an amazing idea for connection them. It’s beautiful!!!
My summer is the same as the rest of my year…with the exception of not having to deal with kids school stuff. Just work for me. Although I am trying to spend a little evening time on fixing up my yard.
Thanks, June! I’m glad to hear that you’re a fan of the idea we came up with to connect each of our stories. The brooch definitely adds a little something special to the novellas!
*SQUEAL* I am so excited for this book!!!!! 2 of my top favorite authors…(Karen and you) joining forces!?!?!?! Can not wait for this to be released!!! Looking forward to ALL the stories 🙂 Love Maddie and Leo and can’t wait to see their story unfold…..
Okay fangirl moment over 😀 😀 😀 LOL!!
🙂 Thanks, Melissa!
I’m excited about “joining forces” with this super talented group of writers.
My goodness! I’ve always been fond of history, but if that isn’t extra incentive I don’t know what is!
Sounds like a great novella collection, so I can’t wait. Meanwhile, we’re well and truly into winter down under in Australia (although it’s pretty mild where I live), so we’ll just be soaking in the sun when we can!
I’m writing a winter-set story during summer in my part of the world, while you’re experiencing winter in your part. Here’s hoping there will be plenty of sunny days!
Oh how fun! I love the idea of authors that I enjoy going in together on a multi-generation storyline. Yay for 2018 bringing more fun novellas and books for us readers!
well… hello Leo <3
And did you hear my squeal of excitement over this collection!?!?!