Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Lynne Lanning!
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But her book was supposed to be my ‘One and Done.’ So where is my ‘Why?’
I still attribute it to my grandmother, and in a minute, you will understand… But first a little about me.
I like people, and get along with almost everyone… Okay, I don’t do mornings, so please approach cautiously unless I’ve been awake for at least an hour and had plenty of coffee! LOL! But seriously, I have friends all over the world, thanks to the internet and social media, and plenty of personal face-to-face friends. They are a very diverse group – Black, White, and every other ethnic group; Republicans and Democrats; Confederate and Union enthusiasts; Young and Old; and the list goes on.
As we established these friendships, we found several things we had in common and built on those things. But more often than not, I was finding that most of these precious friends didn’t attend church…some had never been to church, yet they all claimed to love God and say things like, “Have a blessed day,” which is nice, but not enough.
I am friendly, and I’m chatty, but when I’m in a discussion – especially an important one, sometimes
The results were AMAZING! I even had one reader contact me from Australia through FB messenger, while reading one of my books, asking me to lead her to the Lord online! I called my preacher immediately, and with his help (because I was so nervous about not saying everything just right), she became a Child of God right then and there!
Many readers have approached me saying they got their lives right with God after reading some of my books, and they appreciated the fact they could relate to my characters, and that I didn’t get too ‘preachy.’ One of my long-time friends, whom I love dearly, never would accept my invitations to church, sweetly declining, but was one of the best and funniest friends I ever had. She had nothing but wonderful things to say about my books, and finally…she called out to God and asked Him to forgive her and save her soul! The angels are rejoicing! With a sad heart, I will share that this particular friend is now in Hospice. I will miss her so much, but I rejoice that I WILL see her again in Heaven.
Not every book I write has the clear plan of salvation within its pages, but each has a strong thread of prayer, faith, trust in God, and changed lives weaving it together.
I don’t have a particular book I want to promote at this time. If possible, I would like to encourage everyone to follow me on Amazon and Facebook. Let’s stay in touch!
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0B6R33BXX/allbooks
Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/lynne.lanning.2025/
Facebook Groups – Book Talk: https://www.facebook.com/groups/929776898009348
Mountain Men: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1643815660133778
And please sign up for my newsletter: (Prizes every month and loaded with news, info, and fun!)
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More from Lynne
When did you know you wanted to be an author? As far back as I can remember! I was always writing something; poetry ( that my grandmother always displayed proudly on her refrigerator), diaries and journals, essays, and letters (I had pen pals). As a young adult, I wrote a few pieces for the local newspaper, and even sent submissions to several magazines.
Do you hear from your readers? Yes! I have a very active newsletter group and I get some personal, very precious messages from readers I don’t know. It’s such a thrill!
How many books have you written, and which is your favorite? I have just finished #52. Picking a favorite book is like picking a favorite child! But I must say, there are a few that stand above the rest in my heart. A Kindness for Christmas and A Sheriff for Sophie are top runners for me, but my readers have a different opinion! They like Josie (Rescue Me Mail Order Brides) and A Journey for Keelie.
What does your writing space look like? A nice bright area with windows in front and to the left of me. Between clicking away on the keyboard, I look outside at all of God’s beautiful creation, thanking Him for it, and drawing inspiration from it.
Can you share a real life event that inspired your writing? There are so many. I have lived everything from betrayal and great loss, to happiness and being blessed beyond measure. When I write a book, I use my personal experiences at times, remembering the emotions that came with them. Sometimes, I get so deeply caught up in explaining and writing those emotions, I find myself crying and heartbroken all over again. I believe God allowed me to go through some of these times so that I could help someone else through them in the future. Although the readers will never know where fiction ends and reality begins, I truly believe, with God leading me, I wrote those words to help someone.
How are your characters like you? Different? My characters carry my emotions, my hopes, and dreams as well as the disappointments and tragedies I have suffered. They are different in the way they find solutions to problems and making their choices. I think back on situations similar to what my characters are experiencing and write what I wish I had done or said. I’m not near as brave and witty as most of my characters!
How do you come up with story lines? What draws you to the time period about which you write? Life.
Although I write in the 1800’s era, daily life was still carrying the same emotions and had to work toward their goals. It seems families were closer then, and I love to write about that bond. Life was hard back then, everything took so much more energy and time, but they seemed to be more grateful for what they had, and they relied on God more.
What is your process for writing? (Do you outline, have a special place or time of day you write, etc) What is your favorite part of the process? I am a ‘pantser’! That means I fly by the seat of my pants and write as I think. I may know how I want a story to begin and end, but I never know how the characters are going to get there. Sometimes, they take on such a life and personality of their own, I write as they dictate! LOL! I like to write in silence, which means I usually write after my husband goes to bed. It’s a good thing I am naturally a night owl! My favorite part of the process is the research. I LOVE the research into what surrounded the lives of people back then – whether it’s the geography, the morals, the new inventions, the law (or lack of it) – it doesn’t matter. I love it all. I love to learn.
What books are on your nightstand right now? A book about Alaska (because that’s where my present book takes place), another filled with real wanted posters from the 1800’s along with the stories behind the outlaws, and another on the aftermath of the Civil War. I told you – I love research!
What writers or books have influenced you? This used to be much easier to answer…I love Janette Oke and Mary Higgins Clarke. I know, two very different writers and genres. Janette Oke influenced me with the era she wrote and the clean characters, even though troubles still came and God was there for them. Mary Higgins Clarke showed me how to be so descriptive, you could feel a chill as the cold, foggy air settled around you, leaving you feeling a dampness…all while you were sitting in the comfort of your own home! I have a long way to go to be as good as these women, but I keep trying!
Do you hear from your readers? Yes! I have a very active newsletter group and I get some personal, very precious messages from readers I don’t know. It’s such a thrill!
How many books have you written, and which is your favorite? I have just finished #52. Picking a favorite book is like picking a favorite child! But I must say, there are a few that stand above the rest in my heart. A Kindness for Christmas and A Sheriff for Sophie are top runners for me, but my readers have a different opinion! They like Josie (Rescue Me Mail Order Brides) and A Journey for Keelie.
What does your writing space look like? A nice bright area with windows in front and to the left of me. Between clicking away on the keyboard, I look outside at all of God’s beautiful creation, thanking Him for it, and drawing inspiration from it.
Can you share a real life event that inspired your writing? There are so many. I have lived everything from betrayal and great loss, to happiness and being blessed beyond measure. When I write a book, I use my personal experiences at times, remembering the emotions that came with them. Sometimes, I get so deeply caught up in explaining and writing those emotions, I find myself crying and heartbroken all over again. I believe God allowed me to go through some of these times so that I could help someone else through them in the future. Although the readers will never know where fiction ends and reality begins, I truly believe, with God leading me, I wrote those words to help someone.
How are your characters like you? Different? My characters carry my emotions, my hopes, and dreams as well as the disappointments and tragedies I have suffered. They are different in the way they find solutions to problems and making their choices. I think back on situations similar to what my characters are experiencing and write what I wish I had done or said. I’m not near as brave and witty as most of my characters!
How do you come up with story lines? What draws you to the time period about which you write? Life.
What is your process for writing? (Do you outline, have a special place or time of day you write, etc) What is your favorite part of the process? I am a ‘pantser’! That means I fly by the seat of my pants and write as I think. I may know how I want a story to begin and end, but I never know how the characters are going to get there. Sometimes, they take on such a life and personality of their own, I write as they dictate! LOL! I like to write in silence, which means I usually write after my husband goes to bed. It’s a good thing I am naturally a night owl! My favorite part of the process is the research. I LOVE the research into what surrounded the lives of people back then – whether it’s the geography, the morals, the new inventions, the law (or lack of it) – it doesn’t matter. I love it all. I love to learn.
What writers or books have influenced you? This used to be much easier to answer…I love Janette Oke and Mary Higgins Clarke. I know, two very different writers and genres. Janette Oke influenced me with the era she wrote and the clean characters, even though troubles still came and God was there for them. Mary Higgins Clarke showed me how to be so descriptive, you could feel a chill as the cold, foggy air settled around you, leaving you feeling a dampness…all while you were sitting in the comfort of your own home! I have a long way to go to be as good as these women, but I keep trying!
Photo Credits:
Author image: Courtesy Lynne Lanning
Women with Coffee Cups: Pixabay/StockSnap
Praying Hands with Bible: Pixabay/Reena Black
Typewriter: Pixabay/Tama66
Wagon: Pixabay
Alaskan glacier: Pixabay/NWImagesbySabrinaE
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