Book Talk with Cara Putman Cara Putman

Today, it's a delight to have Amanda Dykes join me on Book Talk. A busy mother of four, Amanda first decided to be a writer when she realized she was telling her students to follow their dreams and realized she needed to do the same. She started with a children's book, and when she got a rejection, she had a choice. Go forward or stop. Fortunately for all of us, she decided to keep writing, but this time with full-length novels. Her advice to writers is to go for your dream. You don't need an external invitation. Embrace your freedom to not have to prove yourself. Born of Gilded Mountains is a story where she invites us as readers to explore small towns, the sense of belonging and safety with a strong sense of adventure. It's a wonderful story. I know you'll enjoy learning more about this book and series set in 1940s Colorado.

There's so much in this episode, y'all!

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Shelley Shepard Gray has been writing her award-winning Christian novels since 2000. Today I'm delighted to have her on Book Talk to discuss her latest, Unforgiven. Like many, when she started writing, it was a new hobby. She wanted to be a principal, but one day forgot a book to read at a break, so decided to start writing one. She soon found that the stories and characters wouldn't let her go. Something that Shelley loves is the freedom of the first draft. They're messy, but around page 300 she discovers that she likes these people and knows readers will, too. With Unforgiven as with many of her books, she starts with a theme and the story flows from that.

This chat has gems like that and so many more. It was such a fun conversation. I can't wait to hear what you think of today's episode of Book Talk.

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Nicole Deese is one of those people I would love to hang out with. Our two extroverted selves would have too much fun catching up on all things life and writing. Until we can actually do that, recording Book Talk episodes is a fun way to connect and welcome you into the fun. Today's chapter of Book Talk is a delightful way to let you experience all the joy and delight that is Nicole Deese.

Nicole's latest novel, The Roads We Follow, is a contemporary romance with a cross-country flair. We talked about everything from when to share the truth to how hilarious it is that someone so bad at directions was plotting a road trip book. We also talked about how it's a gift to our writing selves to give our author selves an outline to the midpoint so that we can write fast. She shares so much wonderful wisdom as she pulls back the curtain on writing, that I had a hard time stopping the episode. This episode will fly by and you'll walk away encouraged to focus on the things and people who fill your cup so you can show up refreshed and ready to do the work in front of you.

I can't wait to hear what you think of today's episode of Book Talk.

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Jaime Jo Wright is no stranger to Book Talk or to award-winning fiction, so it is delightful to have her back for a conversation about her latest novel Night Falls on Predicament Avenue. We talk about everything from how she comes up with her spooky ideas. I love how she pulls ideas from newspaper stories and so much more. We also talked about whether the contemporary or historical thread tries to take over when she's writing her split-time novels.

This was one of her most difficult books to write for many reasons. One was the challenge of connecting the internal and external journeys of the characters. As she talks about the process, she'd tell her younger writing self to not get caught up in the mechanics of writing. And unpopular opinion: Jaime watches TV or she stops being productive. Let that give you the freedom to do what works for you.

You'll love this interview and getting to know Jaime in a new way.

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In today's episode of Book Talk with Cara, it's a delight to introduce you to Sarah Loudin Thomas and take you behind the scenes of her latest book These Tangled Threads. I so enjoyed chatting with her because we talked about a novel set at one of my favorite locations, the Biltmore Estate. What I didn't know before our conversation was that Sarah had worked at the Biltmore for about six years, and that love and passion for the history of America's castle comes through loud and clear.

She also works with youth, and her experience working with children who have overcome trauma and abandonment is woven through These Tangled Threads as well. Her passion for uncovering and weaving these Appalachian-based stories is so real and captivating. There is an energy that comes through in the way she talks about them. Each evening she writes one thousand words as she builds to her story. And that rhythm leads to the book. Her advice to new writers. Just do it. You'll get to your book.

I hope you enjoy this look at the story behind Sarah's latest novel These Tangled Threads.

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Sometimes there's an episode where there's just a depth that comes out, and this is one of them. Today I'm delighted to introduce you to my new writing friend Heather Kaufman. There are some books that you can't walk away from writing and Up From Dust was one of those books for Heather. The story of Martha, it's a book that she felt a strong sense of stewardship when she was writing it. Martha was the recipient of one of the seven I am statements from Jesus, and I loved digging into the challenges and joys of taking a piece of the Bible and expanding it beyond the verses while also being very aware of the solemn responsibility. Heather is so delightful and we had such fun talking about writing and the joy that comes in getting a sentence just written and the challenge of not getting stuck in perfectionism. The way she writes from broad strokes. And how she writes around a very busy, young family. You're going to walk away from watching or listening to this episode encouraged and eager to read Up From Dust. I can't wait to hear what you think!

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