Tina and Connie: Thank you, Brenda, for allowing us to pick your brain on writing, love, and life. We appreciate the time you’re giving us.

Brenda: Well, I can't promise that it won't be slim pickings, ladies, but fire away with your questions.

Connie and Tina: To start us off, could you tell us a bit about yourself and what you’re working on now?

Brenda: I wasn't a romance reader until three years ago, when I picked up an inspirational romance novel for the first time. Although that particular book didn't grab me, I loved the idea of a happily-ever-after story that celebrated the Christian faith, and I wondered if I might be able to write something like that. Even though my very first completed manuscript was purchased by Steeple Hill Books (the "Love Inspired" people), my second and third efforts were rejected. For someone who had never read romance and never written so much as a short story, the learning curve has been quite steep. But I expect to sell my second book very soon. (If the phone rings, you'll excuse me, won 't you?)

My first book, Finding Hope, was published in July 2003 and is now out of print. The sequel is sitting on my editor's desk right now. I think they'll buy it, but maybe I should stop saying that in public!

Even if they don't buy it, I'll keep writing. Sooner or later, I figure they'll give up and buy another one.

Connie: I’m sure inspirational romance means something different to each person, for example; inspirational romance could mean a fictitious religious book to some, and to others is could mean a romance blended with morals and positive encouragement. What is your definition of an inspirational romance?

Brenda: I think an inspirational romance novel is one in which the religious faith of both the hero and heroine plays a central part in the story. That faith need not be Christian, although it nearly always is. That's because the market for Christian romance is huge, and still spiraling upward. At this time, there just isn't a lot of demand for stories featuring the spiritual journey of Jewish or Muslim or American Indian characters. So to most people, "inspirational" means "Christian."

Connie: To take that a bit further, if I could Brenda, you say you wondered if you could write something that would make a woman sigh, feel good about herself, life and love as well as draw her closer to God. What was your mindset as you began in order to achieve that perfect balance, of creating a romance that was balanced by references to faith, not overpowered by them?

Brenda: Actually, I wasn't thinking much about readers at all during the actual writing of that book. I think I'm pretty average, so I figured that if I liked the story, surely a lot of other women would like it, too. It was as simple as that. I just wrote the kind of romance that I would enjoy reading.

I didn't give a lot of thought to "balancing" the faith element, either. I just wrote the characters and let the spiritual lessons unfold as they would. It was nothing that I did consciously. It's just that my Christian world-view tends to seep into my writing. I honestly don't think I could write a novel and not bring God into it.

Tina: How many manuscripts did you submit before you became published? What would you tell an aspiring author regarding submissions?

Brenda: I started two stories that I never finished, so the story that became Finding Hope was my first complete manuscript. I sent Steeple Hill a query letter with a two-page synopsis, and they asked to see the manuscript.

I suppose I'm doing things a bit backwards, as my rejections have come after that first sale rather than before. But I'm learning a lot and having a wonderful time.

Tina: Good for you!

Brenda: Regarding submissions, you can't win if you don't play. Are you going to just keep dreaming about being published, or are you going to put yourself out there and make it happen? If you've submitted and had projects rejected, so what? You can be a quitter or a published author. You can't be both.

Connie: You seem to have a great sense of humor. Was it easy for you to develop the humor that is woven throughout Finding Hope, or did the characters create the humor themselves as they evolved?

Brenda: I've always been a smart-mouth. It's not anything I have to work at. If you pointed at me and said, "Write something funny about dryer lint, " I could probably do it.

Now that you've made me stop to think about it, I've just realized that I divided my sense of humor equally between the two characters in Finding Hope. I unconsciously imbued Hope with my love of the ridiculous. Her off-the-wall humor makes people blink for a second, and then laugh. Poor Charles got my edgy, biting wit. I'm afraid I excel at sarcasm (Sorry, Mom--I know how hard you tried to break me of that!) so his nastiness was very easy to write.

Tina: Brenda, each author’s writing habits and comfort levels while at the computer are different. How do you dress to write? Sweats or loungewear? Jeans and a t-shirt? Slacks and blouse? Shoes on, or off?

Brenda: When my computer is idle for five minutes, up pops a bright blue screen with friendly pink letters that spell out my philosophy: "No rules. Just write." There's nothing typical about my schedule. I have no routine. Discipline isn't an issue, because I'd rather write than do just about anything else. So I'll often creep into my office at three in the morning and write in my nightgown. Or I might come home from an evening out and sit down at my desk and slide right into my latest manuscript without even taking my shoes off. Right now I'm wearing jeans and a sweater. Bare feet, no makeup, wet hair. I'm glad you can't see me.

Connie: I love romances where the "hero" is older than the "heroine." Was it a conscious decision on your part that Faith be 23 and Charles 35? How did the age difference come about?

Brenda: Putting some years on Charles made it possible for him to be an established, highly respected surgeon. But I also wanted to convey that his bitterness had been festering for a couple of decades, and that he had pretty much given up on ever finding any meaning in his life. I'm not sure I could have made you believe in his weary, jaded outlook if he hadn't been well into his thirties.

I made Hope much younger because I didn't want Charles to see her as a desirable woman. (He calls her "kid" because that's how he thinks of her.) Since there's no sexual attraction, their friendship develops without hindrance. As they become inseparable companions, each willingly makes sacrifices for the other's good. And ultimately, their love is built on the solid foundation of that remarkable friendship.

Connie: The sequel to "Finding Hope" is on the editor’s desk as we speak. Could you give us a hint as to what it’s about?

Brenda: Claire Baker is a perfectionist who believes true love can happen only once in a lifetime. That's a problem, because she's wildly attracted to widower Tom Hartman, who has already known his soul mate.

When the fascinating, elusive Claire persists in her refusal to date him, fun-loving T om mounts a charm offensive against her. But feisty, all-or-nothing Claire has never settled for "second best" in her life, and she isn't about to give herself to a man whose heart cherishes the memory of another woman.

Tom's games take a serious turn and the two fall in love. He believes patience and tenderness will win Claire over, but that faith is shaken when he's confronted with an obstacle he can't overcome: it appears that God Himself is pulling the couple apart.

Connie: I, for one, can't wait to read it.

Tina: What was the first book you can recall reading that made an impact on your love of books? Did this influence your desire to write in any way?

Brenda: Jane Eyre hit me hard when I was twelve. (Why did Helen have to die? I cried and cried over those pages.) But no, I never had any desire to write a novel until three years ago, when I read my first inspirational romance.

Connie: Brenda, we’d like to ask you some questions to help us get to know you a bit...would you list a few of your favorites for us and tell us what it is about the item that makes it a favorite?

Pizza and toppings

Brenda: Veggie pizza. (If you don't want your mushrooms and olives, Connie, just put 'em on my plate.)

Connie: Sorry, I'll keep mine.

Connie: Holiday

Brenda: Christmas. Woodburning fires, snow-draped trees, colorful lights, pumpkin pie, and the people I love. Can't wait 'till next year!

Connie: Candy

Brenda: Godiva chocolates. Because the presentation--that elegant gold foil box tied with satin ribbon, those exquisitely designed chocolates--is as wonderful as the taste. As I tell my husband when he raises his eyebrows over the price, "It's not candy. It's art."

Tina: I'll buy that!

Connie: Cartoon character

Brenda: I don't like cartoons. I've never understood why, but even as a kid, I rarely watched cartoons. Maybe because the humor was too obvious. And those simple, colorful images never did anything for me, either.

Tina: What is one of your all-time favorite movies?

Brenda: O Brother, Where Art Thou? Funny, funny stuff.

I did not like George Clooney until I saw this movie, in which his comic timing was impeccable. (Three escaped prisoners by a campfire: "Care for some gopher, Everett?" asks one, proffering a roasted rodent on a stick. "No thank you, Delmar," George Clooney replies smoothly. "Half a gopher would only arouse my appetite without beddin' her down again.")

Connie: I've never seen it, I guess I'll have to rent it soon.

Connie: On your website you have a page called Tea Time at Brenda’s House, which we’ll provide a link to for the readers, with tips from making the perfect pot of tea to recipes for an afternoon tea party. It appears you’d fit right in with the regency misses at high tea. Would you share a favorite tea time recipe with us?

Brenda: With pleasure! Here's the best tea sandwich in the universe: (Yes, I know nobody eats white bread anymore and I know cucumbers are boring, but you must try these!)

Several slices Pepperidge Farm Thin White Sandwich Bread
One seedless cucumber
Softened butter

Peel the cucumber and slice as thinly as possible. Spread the slices out on a cutting board and salt them lightly. Now trim the crusts from several slices of bread. (Yes, it matters. I don't know why, but it just does, okay? So trim them off.) Lightly butter a slice of bread, then top it with two or three cucumber slices. Now butter the "lid" and finish the sandwich. Cut each sandwich into two triangles.

There is absolutely no reason for cucumber sandwiches to be as good as they are. I honestly don't understand it, and neither will you. They're great with a nice Darjeeling tea or Earl Grey.

Connie: Also, you collect English bone china cups and saucers and have at least a pot of tea a day. Is this a way for you to unwind as well as snuggle up with a good book? Is Earl Grey tea your favorite?

Brenda: "Yes" to all of the above. I've been drinking tea for years. There's something very calming about sipping hot tea out of a pretty cup. It just makes me feel good.

Connie: I agree. There can be something calming about sipping hot tea from a pretty cup.

Tina: I see you like roses, Brenda. I have a small rose garden myself. I absolutely love them, the more colorful and fragrant the better. What type of rose is your favorite?

Brenda: I grow hybrid teas, climbers, and old roses, but I especially like my David Austin English Roses. My favorite is "Evelyn", which was created especially for Crabtree and Evelyn to use in their signature "Evelyn" scents. That rose is apricot and pink, and it undergoes dramatic color changes throughout the growing season. In my garden it's sometimes quite orangey-yellow, sometimes absolutely pink. The fragrance knocks me out. (I use the "Evelyn" soap and cologne every day, as a matter of fact, but the actual rose is even better.)

And I'm nuts about Austin's "Heritage" rose. I have a hedge of them in my front yard. They're a lovely shell-pink, beautifully formed, extremely fragrant, good for cutting, and they're great repeat bloomers. Order some today!

Tina: I'll definitely have to check into them.

Tina: My mother and grandmother couldn’t grow a plastic flower much less the real thing. Where did you get your interest in roses and your small garden?

Brenda: When we bought our first house, the backyard was bare. We stuck three or four cheap hybrid tea roses into the ground just to see if anything good would happen. Something did, and I've been in love with roses ever since. During the growing season, I always have some in the kitchen and on my desk.

Tina: Would you tell us what your hobbies are that don’t include reading, writing, tea, or roses?

Brenda: Well, I've had a ball designing and building my website. And for years I was an avid amateur astronomer. But I'm afraid my telescope is gathering dust these days, as I spend so much time writing.

Tina: My signature question, and it’s only to have fun with. You’re stranded on a deserted island; would you choose books or TV? Movie star or husband? What couldn’t you live without?

Brenda: I hardly ever watch TV, so give me some books. And I've never swooned over a movie star, Tina, so you can have Brad Pitt if you want him. I'll take my husband. Yeah, he's got a few miles on him (we'll celebrate our 29th anniversary this year) but he's still the only guy I want. I'd like to take my teapot, too, please. And a good supply of loose tea. And could you maybe arrange for someone to air-drop some Walker's shortbread cookies once in a while?

Connie: Oh, sure!

Tina and Connie: We’ve had so much fun, Brenda, thank you. But first, before we say good-bye, is there anything we haven’t asked that you’d like readers and fans to know?

Brenda: Yes, actually. I'd like everyone to know that I think you ladies are awfully sweet. Thanks for showing me such a good time.

Connie and Tina: Thank you so much, Brenda, we really appreciate those kind words! And you're welcome! We look forward to another interview some day.

A note from Brenda:

The first part of March, I was thrilled to learn that Finding Hope had received a Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award - Best "Love Inspired" of 2003. That's a pretty big deal, especially for a first book. But this is a business of ups and downs, and today I got some bad news: my publisher is not interested in buying the sequel to that story.

I'm disappointed, naturally, but I'm still writing because that's what I love to do.

Brenda Coulter

We wish Brenda the best in the future. Hopefully someone will buy her sequel to Finding Hope soon as well as her upcoming endeavors. We need more stories such as the ones she is able to tell.

Comment or respond to Brenda's interview and we'll post your comments below!

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Author's Interviews