Meet Former Clash of the Titles Competitor Shawna K. Williams, guest post by Jennifer Slattery
Shawna K. Williams Shawna K. Williams is an inspirational novelist who loves telling a story through flawed characters – the only kind she can relate to. God's Grace serves as a the major theme for all of her stories, but she also likes a good dose of nostalgia, which is why many of her stories are set in rural America during the first half of the 20th Century. When not writing, Shawna spends time with her husband and three children enjoying life on their ranch. She's also an avid reader, editor, book reviewer, blogger, homeschooling mom and jewelry designer.
She competed in our most touching Christmas scene. Her wonderfully written excerpt, taken from Orphaned Hearts, brought a sense of nostalgia to our readers.
In Orphaned Hearts, Pastor David Langley understands six-year old Caleb Holsheyer -- what it feels like to be damaged and alone. His family killed in a fire, and his body severely burned, David grew up in an orphanage, ridiculed and shunned. He couldn’t let that be Caleb’s fate.
When adoption plans fall through, David is desperate to find Caleb a new home. But in the midst of the Great Depression, most families are barely getting by. No one seems willing to take on the responsibility of an extra mouth, especially one belonging to a crippled child.
Except for Sadie Miller, the town spinster. In Sadie, David sees the answer to Caleb's needs. But Child Welfare doesn't agree, and demands other arrangements be found, or the boy be returned to the orphanage.
David and Sadie team up, determined to find a home for an orphaned child, but while searching, might they find a family instead.
Shawna, our readers loved your excerpt. Can you tell us more about the book it was taken from? Where did you get the story idea?
Orphaned Heart is my latest release. It's a wonderful little story set in Northwestern Arkansas, during 1932.
The story is about a minister, David Langley, and his search for a home for Caleb, an orphaned child with a missing arm. David is especially concerned with Caleb's situation because David knows that Caleb's disability will affect how people see him. David, who also grew up orphaned, was severely burned in the fire that killed his family. As an adult he is able to hide these scars beneath his clothes, but he always felt that his disfigurement was the reason he was never taken in by a family when he was a child. For these same reasons, he believes he'll never have one of his own as a man. So, in a way, finding a home for Caleb proves there's still hope for him.
Sadie, the town spinster, has been in love with David for years, but she doesn't think he can see past her label. Circumstances bring Caleb into her home on a temporary basis and her love for the boy blossoms, healing his pain and hers. But things become desperate when they learn of danger at the orphanage and that Caleb must soon return. David and Sadie team up, both working to find a permanent, loving home where Caleb will be safe, but while searching they discover a family instead.
The story was inspired by my grandparents. My grandfather grew up in the orphanage I based the one in the story upon. It was hard to find much information about it beyond a former address. Most of what I knew was told to me by my grandparents. My grandmother's father had been hired to work the orphanage's dairy and my grandmother helped him. That's how my grandparents met. Their memories of the orphanage had a profound impact on them and for years they took in foster children because of it.
Where and when do you like to write?
I sit on the sofa and write after everyone has gone to sleep. I'm usually up until 4 a.m. when I'm working on a new project.
What do you enjoy most about being an author?
I really love it when the characters in the story start coming to life for me. When I start a story, there's a lot I don't know about them, and as I write I learn. Most of my revision work is done on the first half of a book, because it's usually not until the second half that I have a firm grasp on my characters' personalities, and then I go back and rewrite to add depth and fix inconsistencies.
I, of course, love being able to share my work. It's the best feeling to hear someone say they were moved by a story I wrote. The best!
How does your faith play into your writing?
More like, how does it not? The moment I decided to write I knew that my stories would be Christian Fiction. It wasn't really a conscience choice though, it's just who I am. I don't think I can write a story without some kind of spiritual message. My thoughts always gravitate toward what God's purpose might be in pretty much everything and I can't turn it off, nor do I want to. When I'm writing I think about my characters, what they'd learn from their experiences in the story and how it would affect them spiritually. I often think about important lessons I've learned in my life, usually the hard way, and try to convey the small measures of wisdom God has granted me through my stories.
Thank you so much for chatting with us today. We enjoyed having you on Clash of the Titles and look forward to reading more of your work in the future.
Visit http://shawnakwilliams.com/ and
http://shawnawilliams-oldsmobile.blogspot.com/ to find out more about Shawna and her writing, or connect with her on twitter and facebook:
http://twitter.com/#!/shawnakwilliams
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Shawna-K-Williams/236629884245
