Writer’s Window: Sharlene MacLaren
Congratulations to Robin in NC for winning the drawing for Julie Lessman’s book last week.
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Kaye Dacus & Sharlene MacLaren, ICRS 2009
I met Shar MacLaren for the first time at ICRS last year, and ran into her again a few times at this year’s show. Her books have been on my TBR pile for a while now, and I’ve heard wonderful things about them, so I can’t wait to read them. I’m also hoping to be able to actually spend some time with Shar soon!
Sharlene is giving away a copy of Tender Vow to one lucky commenter. Be sure to get your comment posted by Friday, which is when I’ll draw the winner’s name. (Remember, no need to include your e-mail address in the body of your comment, as long as it’s correct when you sign in.)
Tender Vow
Michigan-born brothers John and Jason Evans took a ski trip in the Rockies, but only one came home alive-John was tragically killed on a daring descent down Devil’s Run, an infamously dangerous slope.
In an attempt to soothe his guilt and grief, Jason sets out to make amends with his widowed sister-in-law, Rachel, by offering to help with her two small children, doing odd jobs around her house, and trying to ease her own heavy burden of grief. A new Christian, he is bent on growing his faith and helping Rachel see her way through the fog of pain and confusion.
Left to raise her three-year-old daughter and newborn son on her own, Rachel Evans is anything but willing to become her brother-in-law’s charity case, particularly since they have a history she’d rather forget. She’s determined to make it on her own but soon finds that God has other plans for her-and for Jason. Can she accept the Lord’s leading and still honor her late husband’s memory?
What do you like best about being a writer?
- I love the “gift” of being able to create stories that will hopefully make an eternal difference in someone’s life. It is always such an honor and humbling experience when someone takes the time to tell me one of my books, or even my writing in general, has struck a chord of desire in their hearts to draw closer to the Lord. That’s a wow! moment for me.
What do you like least about being a writer?
- Oh, me, I am a terrible procrastinator, so I’d have to say my least favorite thing about writing is knowing that even on those days I don’t feel especially creative, I still have to write. Some days I would much rather play!
Pop, Soda, or Coke? What do you call it, and what’s your favorite variety?
- This Midwest gal from Michigan says pop! A soda is vanilla ice cream with ‘pop’ in it–same thing as a float. And Coke, well, Coke is—is Coke, isn’t it?
Describe your favorite pair of shoes.
- Ah, my favorite pair of shoes just got chewed up by my 10-month-old pup, so now they are no more. They were, however, a comfy pair of leather sandals that fit with perfection. Now I am on the hunt for an equally comfy pair. So far, no luck. That stinker pup of mine.
What’s the most fun/interesting/crazy/scary/unique hands-on research you’ve done for a book?
- Hmm, don’t know as it’s terribly unique, but hubby and I recently returned from a three-day trip to Wabash, IN (setting for my River of Hope series, 1926–1930), and we stayed in a wonderful refurbished four-story hotel initially built in 1920. I felt like I was living in my book, as the building had been restored to its original, glorious state.
Candles. We all have them. But do you burn them? What scents are your favorite?
- It’s funny that you ask that because I do have a ton of candles around my house, many of which I’ve never lit! I love the look of a new candle, but once I burn it for three or four hours, it doesn’t look quite as pretty in my bathroom, on my coffee table, or on the kitchen counter. I do love the delicious aromas though, but strangely, I’m more about color than smell. I mean, it has to match the decor, right?
Have you ever re-gifted something someone’s given you?
- Haha, is this confession time? I admit I have re-gifted. It comes in handy in those emergency situations when you just want to give someone something nice but you don’t have time to run to the store. (I also stock up on extra lotions, candles, room sprays, etc. at Bath and Body Works and stick these items in my special “gift” closet.) Trouble is, my daughters sometimes go “shopping” in my closet when they need something nice.
If you were to write a novel about what your life would have been like if you’d become what you wanted to be at eight years old, what kind of character would the story be about?
- Golly, when I was eight years old, I loved cats and dogs so much I thought I wanted to be a veterinarian. That went away later when I learned how much science I’d have to take and also that I’d have to treat animals other than cats and dogs. So, I guess that novel would be about a lady vet who only treated furry animals that purred and wagged their tails–no reptiles, no rodents, no birds, nothing with scales…you get the idea.
What makes you happy?
- My relationship with Jesus, my adoring husband, my precious daughters, their hubbies, my three darling grands, my little office that inspires me to write, cherished friends, my church, my extended family, my ladies’ and couples’ Bible studies, MUSIC, the sound of laughter filling up a room, kisses, hugs, a cozy fire on a blustery winter night, tender love stories. (Did you notice I didn’t list one material possession?)
What makes you nervous?
- Deadlines. Need I say more?
What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever received?
- Pursue your dreams and passions. If you love to write, it’s a good bet God gave you a gift, and when God gives gifts, He likes you to share them. Thus, write as if someone, someday, will read your words. Make each one of them count for His Kingdom—and plan to give God ALL the glory when people start telling you how much they like your stories.
What’s your biggest dream for the future?
- My dreams always involve touching other people’s lives, so I’d have to say my ultimate dream would be to write books impacting enough to steer people straight to the gates of Heaven. Wow! That’s not only a dream; it’s a challenge!
Tell us about your newest release.
- My next release is a stand-alone contemporary novel called Tender Vow. It should hit stores in late August/early September 2010. Here’s a summary: Michigan-born brothers John and Jason Evans take a ski trip in the Rockies, but only one comes home alive—John was tragically killed on a daring descent down Devil’s Run, an infamously dangerous slope.
In an attempt to soothe his guilt and grief, Jason sets out to make amends with his widowed sister-in-law, Rachel, by offering to help with her two small children, doing odd jobs around her house, and trying to ease her own heavy burden of grief. A new Christian, he is bent on growing his faith and helping Rachel see her way through the fog of pain and confusion.
Left to raise her three-year-old daughter and newborn son on her own, Rachel Evans is anything but willing to become her brother-in-law’s charity case, particularly since they have a history she’d rather forget. She’s determined to make it on her own but soon finds that God has other plans for her-and for Jason. Can she accept the Lord’s leading and still honor her late husband’s memory?
Where can people find out more about you/connect with you online?
- Look for me at these various places:
http://www.sharlenemaclaren.com
http://www.sharlenemaclaren.blogspot.com
http://www.shoutlife.com/sharlenemaclaren
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Sharlene MacLaren has always enjoyed dabbling in writing—poetry, fiction, various essays, and freelancing for periodicals and newspapers. Her favored genre, however, has always been romance. She remembers well the short stories she wrote in high school and watching them circulate from girl to girl during government and civics classes. “Psst,” someone would whisper from two rows over, and always with the teacher’s back to the class, “Pass me the next page.”
Shar is a an occasional speaker for her local MOPS organization, is involved in KIDS’ HOPE USA, a mentoring program for at-risk children, counsels young women in the Apples of Gold program, and is active in two weekly Bible studies. She and her husband, Cecil, live in Spring Lake, Michigan with their lazy, fat cat Mocha.
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KayeDacus.com 
What a fun interview! I know what you mean about candles not looking pretty after you burn them for awhile. I admit though that I burn them anyway because I love the wonderful smell of vanilla…or sugar cookie…or pumpkin pie…or any kind of baked good! lol
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That’s why I like the jar candles—it’s harder to see that they don’t look quite so pretty anymore. (Burning “Creamy Caramel” right now!)
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How generous to offer a chance to have the book for free! Thank you!
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You’re welcome! Thanks for stopping by.
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Oh wow this book sounds like it will be really good!!
Maybe a little sad? Anyway, great interview!
Bummer about the shoes!! I just broke my favorite flip-flops:-(
Please enter me!!
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My favorite brand of shoes is Clarks. I LIVE in their mules during cool/cold months (basically, fall and winter and early spring, when it’s warmer but wet). They’ve started putting out sandals, too, so I may be investing in a pair of those come next spring. I’m not much of a sandal-wearer, but if they’re making sandals that are as comfy and long-wearing as their mules (my first pair of Clarks lasted for ten years!), I’ll definitely get the sandals.
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Great interview Kaye and Sharlene! Thank you for entering me to win this great book!
Michelle
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Thanks for visiting, Michelle!
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That is hilarious about the romance writing during school! I can just imagine being one of those girls eager for the next page that was so much more interesting than government, biology, etc. 🙂
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I was telling someone this weekend that my teachers in high school never understood why my grades were barely average when they considered me the best “note taker” in class—I was always furiously scribbling and turning pages in my notebook all the way through every class. Of course, what they didn’t know was that I had no idea what they were talking about. I was off in my own fictional world.
But I have to give props to Shar for being brave enough and confident enough in her writing to share it with schoolmates. The first time I ever let anyone read my writing was when I took a creative writing class my senior year of high school and I had to turn stuff in to be graded.
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Great interview! I love getting to know more about other writers! I sympathize about the shoes. Mine are still intact, but my favorites are (gasp) white sandals. And now it’s after Labor Day. Sigh.
Thanks for the opportunity to win your book! It sounds great!
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No white after Labor Day. Of course, “they” say that’s no longer a rule. But “they” live in New York, not the South.
Now, sandals . . . I’d say as long as it’s above about 75 degrees outside, go for it!
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SHAR!!! Great interview, girl, and I cannot WAIT to eat chocolate with you in Indy!!!
Hugs,
Julie
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Chocolate? I’d better be invited to this chocolate-sharing time!
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Love Shar’s books. There’s just something about them that nestle into your heart and stay with you longgggg after you’ve finished that last page.
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Thanks for stopping by, Debbie. I, too, love books that stay with me like that!
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I enjoyed the interview with Sharlene. I haven’t read any of her books yet but this one sounds really good. I will have to look for some of her other books too. Please enter me in the book drawing. Thanks.
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You’re entered, Pam. And do, definitely, look for Sharlene’s other books. I haven’t had a chance to read them yet—hope to get some reading done over the holidays this year (since, for the first time, I don’t have a book due on December 1), and Shar’s books are near the top of my TBR pile!
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I haven’t read any of Sharlene’s other books, but I think this one sounds great. Also, it’s nice to find someone else who doesn’t actually burn the candles. I love them, but I’ve never burned a single one I own.
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When I receive them as gifts, I typically don’t burn them—but most of the time that has to do with the fact that I’m most likely going to re-gift them because they’re a scent I don’t like or am allergic to.
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I enjoy Sharon’s books and your blog. This is my first visit to your blog.
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Hi, Wendy–thanks for stopping by. Your name has been entered into the drawing for Shar’s book!
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Hello, all you fabulously WONDERFUL people! It’s after 11 p.m., and this is my first chance to take a peek at Kaye’s blog. I was so thrilled to see and read all the chatter here. I wish I could have jumped in earlier. (You don’t even want to know about my day!!! Well, maybe you do, but I don’t think there’s enough room in this box to go on as I’d like!)
Anyway, thanks so much for stopping by, everyone. I will be sure to check back again tomorrow – and hopefully, have my act a little more together.
Thanks for your sympathy about my “eaten up” favorite sandals. My pup, Peyton, just turned 1-year-old a couple of days ago. You’d think this chewing thing would slow down, right? Ummmm, see that sweater I’m wearing in the pic with Kaye? That really was my favorite sweater – throw it on – it went with everything. Now, it’s in the bottom of my wastebasket ’cause Peyton chewed a big hole through it. I STILL love him, though. I’ve been writing “Life Lessons From the Dog” in my own blog at blogspot (see my link), and so far I have four installments (getting ready to write my 5th right now). As much as I want to take him to the pound somedays, he reminds me of ME and my floundering human behaviors and shortcomings. Come check them out when you get a chance.
I really didn’t know I was going to do an ad, but there you have it.
As for me and my house, we will go to bed.
‘Night-night.
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I sense many, many story ideas coming from Peyton in the future!
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Fun interview, you seem like a wonderful person who loves the Lord, I can’t wait to read “all” you r books. Love and God bless
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Hi, Tildi–thanks for stopping by. Your name has been entered into the drawing.
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Just now discovering this site and Shar’s interview! LOVE Shar and her books – – she’s not only an awesome author but a wonderful lady (and friend!) too. I met her in person at my first ACFW conference 2 years ago in MN – – she asked me to sit with her at the Banquet, then TEASED me about my southern accent, LOL! I knew at that moment we would be friends, and we are!! ~ This was a great interview, and I only wish I could attend the conference this year to see Shar again (and many other amazing writer friends). Unfortunately I am recuperating from 4 spinal surgeries (I had them in late June) so am unable to go this year…. but there’s always next year! ~ Thanks for posting this interview! Blessings from Georgia, Patti Jo
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Oh, Patti Jo, how I sympathize with what you’re going through with the back surgeries. I had surgery for a ruptured disc in my lower back in 2003. At ACFW in 2007, I’d had a horrible flareup of scar tissue and could barely sit/stand/walk. You’ll be in my prayers for a quick and pain-free recovery!
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Tildi, thanks so much! I love your name, Tildi Walters! Is it short for Matilda? I’m thinking this sounds like THE perfect name for one of my future characters! Would you mind? I’M SERIOUS!!! I met a woman “online” whose name is Gertie Pridmore. She’s a church librarian, and I fell in love with her name, so I appointed Gertie the town librarian in my latest historical book, Abbie Ann.
Patti, I love you and wish you were coming to the conference in three days. I’m going to start packing tomorrow! I’ll miss seeing you so much.
Speaking of conference, I’m referring to the upcoming ACFW conference in Indianapolis. Kaye will be there, and she and I are planning to meet for lunch on Friday. Can’t wait to see you, Kaye!
Here comes a big bunch of cyber-hugs, everyone!!!!
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Yay! See, I knew when I wrote at the beginning of this post that I was hoping to get to spend more time with you soon that we’d find some way to make it happen! Can’t wait to see you on Friday and hug your neck!
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I would love to win Shar’s book!
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Hi, Jody–thanks for stopping by. You’re entered into the drawing.
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The interview made me laugh… Peyton with the shoes, my little girl didn’t chew until just recently after she turned a year now she chews the in the car…
The question about Soda, pop or Coke… Aaaaah Sharlene you only think coke is just coke… I lived in Nashville for a short time and they called all pop (coke)… I couldn’t figure out what they were talking about (lol)… So, this brought back memories for me…
The candle… Let them burn baby… I also do the Jar candles because they don’t look bad… However there is something unique about every candle that burns and is beautiful in its own way… Time for a quick commercial break… Woodwick candles are the best… You get the fragrance of the candle and this beautiful crackling sound of a fireplace… Now that is relaxing…
Can’t wait to read “Tender Vow”!!! Sharlene is a very talented author… Love her books… Thanks Shar!!!
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I grew up in New Mexico where we called every kind of fizzy drink “coke.” Then I moved to Louisiana for college–same thing. But then I moved to Washington DC/Northern Virginia for a few years. Not only did no restaurant in the area carry my favorite kind of coke (Dr. Pepper), when I said “coke,” everyone assumed I meant the name-brand Coca-Cola. So I adapted and quickly started using “soda” instead. That’s stuck with me, even after fourteen-and-a-half years in Nashville. Though, I will slip in a good, generic “coke” every once in a while.
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The interview was great, I love reading about the authors I read and how they do research and how their day goes-including having their favorite shoes eaten by their puppy-but you gotta love that puppy anyway. I also have lots of candles and forget to light them for long periods of time and then light them for days, I really like the vanilla ones. I would love to be entered into the book contest and win a copy of your book, it sounds like it will be really good. Have a blessed day, Tina
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Hi, Tina! Thanks for stopping by.
Vanilla candles are hit-or-miss for me. If it’s a vanilla-baked-goods scented candle, I can handle it. But the ones that are just “vanilla” (alone or with other fragrances, like florals or spices) tend to have some kind of fragrance in them that I’m allergic to. Which I hate, because vanilla is one of my favorite scents ever! If I thought it would work (and if it weren’t so expensive) I’d use pure vanilla extract for perfume. 😉
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Kaye, you always introduce us to interesting authors. My TBR stack is growing.
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Always glad to help those TBR piles expand!
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Ahhh, candles. I love their wonderful fragrance. Um, I will never understand “unscented” candles. Huh? What I’m really hooked on now though are those little jars of fragranced oils with the sticks in them. (I can’t think what you call them.) I have had one in my office now for weeks and I’m smelling its lovely fragrance as I type this. It’s just marvelous. The scent will last until the oil runs out. Awesome.
You wonderful peeps have a glorious day!
(((Hugs)))
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Unscented candles are for restaurants and weddings/receptions. For restaurants, because you don’t want the smell of the candle competing with the smell of the food. And for weddings/receptions because you never know which of the bridesmaids/groomsmen/parents/guests are going to be allergic to the scents chosen—and with as many of us are allergic to certain flowers already, scented candles could compound it!
After my trip to Yankee Candle a couple of weeks ago (which was preceded by a visit to Bath & Body Works), I was stopped up and sinusy and sneezy for several hours afterward—due to all of the fragrances in both of those stores to which I’m sensitive/allergic.
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I don’t usually come out of the Yankee Candle store sneezing or with stopped up sinuses, but I do normally get a headache. I also seem to get headaches when I’ve been smelling lots of perfumes. Now, when I smell beeswax candles the glands by my throat start hurting and it’s a little awkward to swallow. I’ve never looked into it to see if it’s really an allergic reaction, but I do try to avoid beeswax candles. When I was a little girl I was stung by a bee once, but didn’t have any kind of allergic reaction then.
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Sharlene, they are reed defussers!!!
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I loved the interview and reading all the comments. It is fun getting to know more about the authors of the books we read. We have Tender Vow in our church library and of course, I read it first……one of the perks of being the librarian. I would love to win a copy to keep for myself.
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Hey, people, did you see that? Gertie Pridmore just responded!!!! I bet anything she didn’t read the remark I wrote a few posts ago about liking Tildi Walters’ name and how I used the name Gertie Pridmore in my most recent historical, Abbie Ann. I’m going to have to get after that Gertie for not reading ALL the posts!
And, Dawn, thank you for clarifying – reed diffusers. It was driving me a little buggy trying to recall.
Aww, I’m sorry for all of you people with the fragrance allergies. That’s a bummer!
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Hello again……..I actually did see the post about Tildi’s name and I love it too. I think it is a perfect name to use in a book. I am glad you didn’t see her name first or the librarian might have been named Tildi instead of Gertie. It has been a great experience being friends with Shar. One thing for sure her life is not boring and she brings a lot of pleasure to a lot of people with her books, on her blog and on FB. I am jealous about the clothes, bought at such a bargain and I don’t think I will even comment on the size. Hugs!
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