tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8844605571269638041.post5467410066663593271..comments2023-11-03T05:27:59.869-04:00Comments on Adventures of the Heart Blog: Meet the author of The Frontiersman's Daughter, Laura FrantzCarla Gadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01793809172905144101noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8844605571269638041.post-14054420851711327882009-11-13T14:13:03.134-05:002009-11-13T14:13:03.134-05:00Kav,
I forgot to mention that you can find discuss...Kav,<br />I forgot to mention that you can find discussion questions for TFD on Revell's website if you wanted a look. Not every book club adheres to them but they are sort of interesting (I hope!) as I wrote them! If nothing else they provide a different slant on the book, etc.Laura Frantzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07067252948999879024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8844605571269638041.post-64983065077059565152009-11-13T13:53:05.274-05:002009-11-13T13:53:05.274-05:00Hi Eileen,
So glad to see you here! Thanks so much...Hi Eileen,<br />So glad to see you here! Thanks so much for stopping by. You have a wonderful blog(s) yourself:) <br /><br />To answer your question, I didn't have an agent until a few months ago. My editor at Revell recommended Janet Grant for future projects and she picked me up after reading TFD. I didn't realize what a fine agent she was till after I signed the contract with her. An extra blessing there as she knows the business so well and has been wonderful. I finally met her in Denver - like you:)Laura Frantzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07067252948999879024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8844605571269638041.post-89557532927388375322009-11-13T13:05:14.658-05:002009-11-13T13:05:14.658-05:00Now that I've met you in person Laura, I'm...Now that I've met you in person Laura, I'm finding you often on the web. <br />God really was overseeing your publication. That's an amazing story. So how did getting an agent fit in? Did you get one after the editor's interest?Eileen Astels Watsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11098531184044931737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8844605571269638041.post-50449162854618271482009-11-13T12:02:53.950-05:002009-11-13T12:02:53.950-05:00Kav, You are so funny! Yes, no wonder Ezekial had ...Kav, You are so funny! Yes, no wonder Ezekial had cabin fever! After being in that antique dresser drawer for so long he wanted OUT in a big way:)<br /><br />Love your and Carla's favorite scenes for all the reasons you've described. I think the waterfall scene is one of my favorites also -very romantic and intense. One of my favorite reviews was from a male reader (on Barnes&Noble) who liked that scene, too, surprisingly. The cornhusking scene was fun to write and I would have loved getting that red ear!<br /><br />My editor's favorite scene was at the Bliss cabin when Ian put the pearls in Lael's lap. Interesting that different scenes speak to different people. I really appreciate that you caught the emotion and extreme homesickness Lael had while at Briar Hill. At the time I wrote that I was missing Kentucky terribly being way out here in Washington State. <br />It has always been a sort of exile for me - terrible, I know. And I long to get back as much as Lael did. <br /><br />I actually cried when I wrote Captain Jack out of the book. He became such a memorable character to me though he wasn't as fully developed as I liked.<br /><br />Bless you both for your wonderful comments! 'Tis a writer's dream:)Laura Frantzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07067252948999879024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8844605571269638041.post-85311067612492564542009-11-13T10:40:51.498-05:002009-11-13T10:40:51.498-05:00Just shush me any time, but I love a good book cha...Just shush me any time, but I love a good book chat! Besides I'm thinking about doing The Frontierman's Daughter for a book club and you're supplying me with good discussion questions! LOL.<br /><br />I loved that corn husking scene as well. I knew the minute Lael spied Ian that destiny was in the making but I was still in the midst of swooning over Captian Jack so I wasn't feeling very kindly towards this new, compelling interloper. But the way Laura drew out the tension -- I was sure Ian was going to kiss Lael...and I couldn't decide if I wanted him to or not (on account of Captain Jack, you understand because, for a character who appeared only fleetingly, he certainly took up his share of my reader's imagination!) And for that reason I loved the waterfall scene as well.<br /><br />A scene that I can't say I loved, but it tore at my heart and played such an important part of Lael's development was when her father left her at the school. Her anguish was so palpable and he appeared so unmoved but I know he thought he was doing the right thing by her. It just makes me shake my head though, at how little he understood his own daughter -- who was more like him then his son (who wasn't his son...but that's a whole different topic!)Kavhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03719229222267994577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8844605571269638041.post-81216992622684004742009-11-13T09:42:18.428-05:002009-11-13T09:42:18.428-05:00At least I'm not the only one with a novel hid...At least I'm not the only one with a novel hiding away. Wonder what it will do to my characters!<br /><br />Kav, it crossed my mind that it could be Ezekiel, too. Then I thought, he couldn't be so cruel to be so close and yet looking out for her that way wouldn't have been so out of character. I did think perhaps Simon was helping out in secret because of his longing for her which may have fueled his feeling that he had a right to her. <br /><br />Laura, just wanted to mention a few of my favorite scenes. The red corn cob that Ian found and the kiss he won - when he kissed the old lady that was so funny! Also, the waterfall scene with Captain Jack was amazing!<br /><br />Does anyone else have any favorite scenes?Carla Gadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01793809172905144101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8844605571269638041.post-43560749772143654642009-11-13T04:18:20.233-05:002009-11-13T04:18:20.233-05:00I can't believe you stuffed TFD in a drawer fo...I can't believe you stuffed TFD in a drawer for five years! That might explain Eziekal's reticence...I mean five years in a drawer had to be stifling. He was probably sulking when you finally pulled him out. LOL.<br /><br />Simon was one of my woodpiler guesses...but I really don't want to think of him in a kindly way. I didn't take to him from the start -- one thing Lael's father and I agreed -- on and he just got worse as time progressed. For all his 'ungodliness' Captain Jack had more moral fiber than Simon had.<br /><br />Will was a possibility but he had enough on his plate with his own homestead...and the distance he'd have to trave! Simon too. Could either of them have just disappeared for that long without it being noticed?<br /><br />I harboured the notion that it might have been Ezekiel watching out for his daughter...though I hate the thought that he would have been so close and let her keep on thinking he was dead. I have a feeling though that he didn't understand his value in that family or that his children loved him. In some ways he was more of a lost soul than Simon was.Kavhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03719229222267994577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8844605571269638041.post-57529183391371849512009-11-12T19:57:43.598-05:002009-11-12T19:57:43.598-05:00Oh, I love all this book talk! Better than a box o...Oh, I love all this book talk! Better than a box of chocolates:) Kav and Carla, I love every guess/insight/point you make here! It really is a wonder to have readers like you when I stuffed the book in a drawer for 5 years and never dreamed of such things. <br /><br />Ezekial was certainly maddeningly elusive. Busy beaver, indeed, on the one question. Don't forget the shingles on the shed:) Or was that the barn roof? Hmmmm...only the author knows:)Laura Frantzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07067252948999879024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8844605571269638041.post-18250831826083147852009-11-12T17:06:32.475-05:002009-11-12T17:06:32.475-05:00Kav, I'm so glad you came by. I really enjoye...Kav, I'm so glad you came by. I really enjoyed hearing your thoughts on TFD. What an interesting way to put it about Lael's father, "a baptism of sorts". So often parents in that time period seem detached. I think Ezekiel Click seemed additional reasons with his experience with the Indians. I longed for he and his wife to be able to express love to their children, at least in a way I would appreciate. <br /><br />Unlike you, I think Captian Jack did have an Indian spouse. At least at some point. I think he was just as torn between two worlds as her father was. <br /><br />Benevolent beavers!! Hmmmm. I'm thinking Simon was the secret woodpiler, when she was off doctoring with Ian. I even wondered if it was Will just looking out for her from time to time.Carla Gadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01793809172905144101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8844605571269638041.post-32536716486024614642009-11-12T16:26:11.681-05:002009-11-12T16:26:11.681-05:00I found Lael's father a real challenge to read...I found Lael's father a real challenge to read...he was so infuriatingly non-committal! LOL. There were times I wanted to smack him upside the head! But I don't like to think of him as dead. I don't think he ever returned to the 'white' world - not in spirit anyway and it got to the point where he couldn't go on pretending and his wife was so unhappy. In a way his drowning was a baptism of sorts -- he shed his white skin and was reborn.<br /><br />Captain Jack most certainly did not have an Indian spouse...or if he did she died in childbirth or something. LOL. I like to think of him waiting for Lael...honestly thought he'd be her choice at some parts in the book, but they were fated to be star-crossed lovers. I think he died of the smallpox. :-(<br /><br />As to the woodpile -- it could have been any of number of people -- including a crew of benevolent beavers. I kept dithering on that one! I wonder if the author even knows??<br /><br />Oh -- and I loved the insights into what makes you such a good writer, Laura.Kavhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03719229222267994577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8844605571269638041.post-4209633042424292072009-11-12T13:27:33.247-05:002009-11-12T13:27:33.247-05:00Keli,
Thank you for being so encouraging about TFD...Keli,<br />Thank you for being so encouraging about TFD. It means so much that it's on your keepers shelf. A writer can't ask for more than that! My publisher already has your name on their list for a copy of CML when it's released. I hope you like it just as much.<br /><br />I'm so thankful to have moved beyond my childhood scars. Though we always live with the consequences of someone's mistakes, they eventually lose the power to wound us. God really is am amazing healer. And very creative in how He does so!Laura Frantzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07067252948999879024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8844605571269638041.post-82744844073915072892009-11-12T12:56:13.169-05:002009-11-12T12:56:13.169-05:00Wonderful interview, Laura. Thanks to Carla's ...Wonderful interview, Laura. Thanks to Carla's great questions, I learned new things about you. I'm sorry you dealt with your father leaving home when you were a child, but I'm thrilled that our Heavenly Father has brought about some healing through the process of writing.<br /><br /><i>The Frontiersman's Daughter</i>, which is on my Keepers Shelf, is a wonderfully written tale. I'm eager to read <i>Courting Morrow Little</i>.<br /><br />Note: Please don't enter me in the drawing.Keli Gwynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13236868298400593688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8844605571269638041.post-90119207917285334792009-11-11T21:43:19.984-05:002009-11-11T21:43:19.984-05:00It's a real blessing having Laura here. Oh, a...It's a real blessing having Laura here. Oh, and wouldn't that be great fun to get together. You are welcome in Maine any time you wish!<br /><br />Lori, thanks for coming by. I see you enjoyed Laura's book just as much as I did. So, do you have any ideas on the back story questions? <br /><br />Trimming down a novel must be so painful. I give you both much credit for doing what was necessary. Wouldn't it be fun if they offered extended versions of novels that do well, like DVD's that come with cut scenes!Carla Gadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01793809172905144101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8844605571269638041.post-9220945220406726972009-11-11T20:02:39.931-05:002009-11-11T20:02:39.931-05:00Lori,
Seeing you on here makes me smile as I was s...Lori,<br />Seeing you on here makes me smile as I was so hoping you'd come over:) Likewise, I cannot wait to read your book! Getting updates about Kindred and Willa are so intriguing. You have a lot of insight about the writing life and I always learn something from your wonderful posts.<br /><br />And thank you so very much, Carla, for hosting me here:) I just love your questions and conversational style! Wish I could sprout wings and get Lori and visit you in Maine. Till then it's great to be online friends!Laura Frantzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07067252948999879024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8844605571269638041.post-17101100371074911622009-11-11T18:03:06.316-05:002009-11-11T18:03:06.316-05:00So glad you interviewed Laura. I've already re...So glad you interviewed Laura. I've already read the book, so don't enter me into the contest, but I will say that whoever does win TFD is in for a treat. I enjoyed it thoroughly and can't wait for Laura's next book. She and I share the overwriting inclination. I currently have my completed WIP on a similar diet that TFD had to undergo. It's very difficult, but also exciting because of the valuable craft lessons I've learned through the process.Lori Bentonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04714197239425827339noreply@blogger.com