In celebration of the release of A Pioneer Christmas, I'm hosting talented author, Michelle Ule today. I will be giving away a copy of the book signed by all nine authors!!! Leave a comment below for a chance to win.

 

 

Michelle is the best-selling author of several novels and novellas, including Bridging Two Hearts and “The Dogtrot Christmas” from the NYTimes best-selling A Log Cabin Christmas Collection. Here, she talks about her upcoming novella “A Gold Rush Christmas” from A Pioneer Christmas, releasing September 1, 2013. For more information about Michelle and her books, visit her website: www.michelleule.com.

 

What made you decide to write about your period in time?



Miners climbing Chilkoot

 

When I heard the collection's title, I tried to think of a time period that would appeal to readers. I figured many writers would write about the Oregon Trail.

 

I remembered, though, how fascinated I was by the Alaskan Gold Rush stories when my family traveled to Alaska. In particular, I thought of that horrific photo of the line of men climbing over Chilkoot Pass. I imagined a story about a family caught in that line, stepping out on December 25 to celebrate Christmas. "The Gold Rush Christmas" didn't quite turn out that way!

 

How is Christmas celebrated in your family and what effect did it have on your writing this story?

 

My husband is a retired naval officer, and we've celebrated Christmas in a number of different cultures. We liked to use aspects of the local customs when we lived in different spots--Christmas in Hawaii, for example, included a crèche made of a coconut shell. While composing The Gold Rush Christmas, I tried to find an element of Alaskan culture people would recognize, but which could tell the Christmas story. I found a fantastic one!

 

What research did you do to authenticate Christmas celebrations in your story?

"The Gold Rush Christmas" includes a Christmas totem pole. I explored the Internet for information, and discovered a missionary in Alaska had actually made one! We corresponded and he asked me to used his description because he'd spent years ensuring it was culturally accurate.

 

When you dreamed up your story idea, what came first, the time period, the story, the location?

 

The Alaska location.

 

What was the "germ" of your story idea and how did you flesh it out?

 

I wanted to write about the gold rush and I liked the idea of a pair of boy-girl twins and the boy next door sailing to Alaska and accidentally ending up on a ship filled with gold seekers. I had to come up with a reason why they'd be sailing, and turned it into a quest for a missing missionary father.

    

Would you like to have been there?

 

No. The conditions were awful, the con men were terrible and many people suffered.

 

What aspects of your characters are reflected in yours?

 

My brother is very tall and pushy. He likes to order me around and I've often resented it.  :-)

 

Have you been to the locations in which your story is set?

 

Yes, my family sailed on the Alaskan ferry to Skagway out of Washington 22 years ago. We even slept on deck in our sleeping bags! I pulled on our experiences and the stories we enjoyed while traveling there.

 

What surprised you the most about your story?

 

The wonderful surprising story of how God worked in the prostitutes of Skagway! I incorporated it into my tale.

 

Would you have made a good pioneer?

 

While I am the mother of three Eagle scouts and have spent a lot of time camping, I'm a coward. I don't sleep well on the ground and I don't like to be dirty. So, no.  :-)

 

Were any of your ancestors pioneers? If so, where and when?

 

Many. I'm in awe of the strength of character they exhibited. Most were on the north American continent by 1701 and moved west until they reached the Pacific Ocean. I'm thankful for their sacrifices. My first book, a family history, is called Pioneer Stock in their honor.

 

What spiritual themes did you deliberately incorporate into your story? Which ones did you discover later?  :-)

 

I've always loved the story of Nehemiah and the famous line "I am doing a good work and I cannot come down." I liked the idea of someone going off on an adventure and sacrificing for their family, but being determined to stay in that work even when things became difficult.

 

In writing the story, I learned much about the fortitude of a young man wanting to prove himself, even when he discovered his own prejudices. I love how even a seminary graduate needed to be reminded, gently, that he sometimes needed to be discomforted to do the job God called him to do. I love the spiritual growth going on in "The Gold Rush Christmas."

A Pioneer Christmas Collection Giveaway!
Comment below to enter. Every day that you leave a comment is a new entry. At the end of our 12 Days of Christmas Promotion, two winners will be chosen at random. First prize is a $50 gift certificate from Amazon.com. The second prize (but best in my opinion) is an autographed copy of A Pioneer Christmas Collection signed by all 9 Authors!  

Each day you have a new opportunity to enter! You may comment all you like, but only one entry per day will be counted.