Saturday, April 18, 2015

Interview with Kathleen Friesen

1.       Why do you write the kind of books you do?

Every life has places of pain, a need that only Jesus can meet. My stories take me deep into those places, those needs, and shows me over and over how faith overcomes. I love that. The more I write about God’s grace, the more I experience it. I hope it’s the same for my readers.

2. Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

There isn’t just one day that stands out. The day I married my sweetheart, the births of our children and each of our grandchildren – each one thrills me.

3. How has being published changed your life?

It has given me the confidence to say, “Yes, I’m a writer.” I’ve written for as long as I can remember, but it was just something I did for myself. Now I feel that it is my calling.

4. What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?
 
I love going for walks in the woods, kayaking on gentle waters, and gardening. Gardening feeds my soul.

5.
Tell us about Nila’s Hope – a brief blurb


Just when her career as a carpenter and a relationship with Will Jamison are within reach, Nila Black’s abusive ex-boyfriend is released from prison. He’s out of jail, out for revenge, and making promises she knows he’ll keep. Nila will do anything it takes to save Will and her friends from the evil that will come their way if she doesn’t put distance between them—even if it means abandoning her new-found faith. It will take a miracle and an angelic messenger to show Nila that God is her greatest protector. He has never left her side, and He wants only the best for her and for the man she loves.

6. Is there one particular message or “moral of the story” you hope readers walk away with?

Freedom comes through forgiveness.

7. How did Nila’s Hope get started?

Nila was introduced in my first novel, Melody’s Song, and some readers asked me to please continue her story. I’m glad I did.

8. Tell us about your research process.

I read everything I could find on domestic violence, talked to a worker at a women’s shelter, and had long conversations with a retired police officer. A dear friend who is a nurse helped me with medical questions. Research was ongoing, as the more I wrote, the more questions came up. I was blessed by the generosity of those I queried.

9. What impact did your research have on you personally?

The deeper I got into Nila’s character, the more I struggled. I think I began to see things through the eyes of a victim, and I had to consciously push through reactions aside. It took a lot of prayer.

10. How do you see yourself in your character’s story, if at all?

I have not experienced abuse like Nila did, but I’ve had experiences where forgiveness seemed impossible. So I identified with that struggle.

11. While you were writing Nila’s Hope, do you think it mattered where the book was set?

The story itself could have been set anywhere, but since the Saskatoon area was my home for thirty years, I enjoyed using it as a setting. Blizzards are fun to write about, but I did have to put on a sweater while doing so!

Where can readers find you online?

www.kathleenefriesen@gmail.com


Bio:  

Kathleen Friesen grew up with her nose in a book. A shy child, she found warm friendships and grand adventures within those tantalizing pages. Many years later, she enjoys creating her own characters who teach her about faith and courage as she discovers their stories.

When not working at her computer, Kathleen loves to travel with her own long-time hero, Ron, and spend quality time with their kids and grandkids. As often as possible, she works to overcome her fear of deep water by learning to kayak. As she seeks to follow her Lord, she can’t wait to see what the next adventure will be.

2 comments:

Julie Arduini said...

I loved this! I learned new things about you, Kathleen! I truly enjoyed Nila's Hope and I know readers will, too.

Unknown said...

Thank you, Julie.

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