Welcome Brandy Heineman

Today I'd like to welcome Brandy Heineman. Can you tell us how you developed your love of story, Brandy?

My mom deserves most of the credit. She encouraged a love of books in me from a young age. Sometimes I’m a little bummed that I can’t actually remember her reading Charlotte’s Web to me, although I feel like I do from times she’s reminisced about that one.

Playing pretend was another formative piece of learning to love storytelling. All it took was for someone to announce, “Pretend like…” and we’d be off and running, cooking up tiny dramas. And of course, I read everything I could get my hands on.

I don’t know when I first realized the power of story—maybe I don’t fully realize it yet!—but I can’t remember a time when the pleasure of story was unknown to me.

I remember many summers when my mom read to me and my brothers. :) What does your writing space look like?

I wish I could be the kind of person who has a photo-ready desk with framed photos and clever, inspiring knick-knacks around me. Theoretically, that sounds really fun. Alas!

My writing space is primarily in my head, but for the physical work, I migrate around the house. I get tired of my desk, which becomes a little chaotic if I’m not careful, so I’ll relocate to the dining room table or the couch in the living room. Last weekend I set up my computer on my sister’s garage table so I could try to squeeze in a few words while we ran a yard sale. (I was not successful with that at all, by the way.) Today, my cat decided to park between me and my keyboard for her nap du jour. She’s clever and inspiring, so I suppose I have everything I need!

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I can relate to my desk quickly becoming chaotic. :)  Do you have a favorite scene from your recent release?

I have two! Since Whispers in the Branches is a dual timeline story, I hope you’ll humor me to share them both.

In the contemporary setting, the date scene ruins Abby’s relationships with three other characters in one sweep. In the 1942 story line, Ruby’s beau presents her with a ring—but it’s not exactly the romantic proposal she’d been dreaming of.

I think I love these scenes because they show key characters in a less-than-flattering light, but they are both very real in those moments.

That sounds intriguing. How much time do you spend researching before you write?

Not enough! I usually have to write most of a draft before I know what to research. Then I go back and toss out my mistakes and bad assumptions and redevelop the plot incorporating actual facts. It’s probably not the most efficient method, and I expect I’ll continue to refine it from here.

LOL. I research a fair amount before I even write.... but I still find ways to delve deeper through the writing process too. What part does your faith play in your writing?

I always pray that God would guide me in my work and it would be fruitful for His kingdom and pleasing in His sight. As I draft and discover the themes of my stories, He is faithful to lead me to Scripture verses and insights that enrich the story for His purposes. It’s a beautiful component of the creative process, knowing that the Creator is working with me and through me!

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I can relate. If you had a day off, how would you choose to spend it?

After church, Sundays are the greatest for working on my family tree, curling up with a book, hanging out with my family or enjoying a date day with my wonderful husband!

We sound like we have some similar thoughts on a day off. :) Apart from writing, what is your favorite creative outlet?

Although I’m not very good at it, I enjoy playing with images in my photo editing software. Eventually I hope to take a few classes to solidify this hobby into an actual skill.

That sounds like fun. How can your readers find you?

The best places to find me are Twitter—I’m @brandyhei—and on my blog at brandyheineman.com. I’m not the world’s best Facebooker, but I do have an author page, too.

Thanks for taking time to stop by today, Brandy.

Thank you for having me, Jodie!

Tune in next week to learn more about Sammy Tippit. Be sure to leave a comment this month for the chance to win the following:

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