Tina Ann Forkner

CRM: Tina it's good to have you here.

TAF: It’s great to be here! Thanks for having me.

CRM: Do you know that you are the first interview that ChristianRomanceMagazine has done?

TAF: I am so honored to be your first interview. Wow! Thank you. It seems like a really fun magazine for readers and writers.

TAF: This is too funny. I guess that Emily Dickinson wasn’t available either.

CRM: Seriously, Rose House. Let's talk about that. You once told me that you never intended Rose House to be a romance. Though I'm sure you are not disappointed that it has been so well received into that genre, but how do you feel about itbeing referred to as a romance?

TAF: It really doesn’t bother me. I think there are many real romance writers out there who are much better, but I appreciate the compliment from readers. I love romance. In fact, I love reading historical romance novels. As for Rose House, if the readers call it romance, then I’m okay with it. The romance of Rose House did take hold of me as I wrote the novel. It is also one of my favorite aspects of the book.

CRM: Before the book even begins, Lillian has gone through some heart-wrenching tragedies.Is there a frame of reference you drew upon when writing those pain-filled scenes?

TAF: When I wrote those scenes I was creating from fiction, but I did think of the emotions I have seen from friends who have lost loved ones from tragedy. Sadly, I have seen grief and I’ve gone through it myself, although not to the extent as Lillian in Rose House. It’s not unusual for me to use my experiences and observances to deepen a scene, but in the end it’s always fiction.

CRM: Many Christian authors will tell you their novels are born from a need to understand or deal with something in their own life. Usually something God is leading them through. Did you find that true in Rose House? If so, can you tell us about that journey?

TAF: Yes and no. I’ve known my own kind of grief and have walked with friends through some tough times, but I haven’t exactly gone through everything that Geena and Lillian go through in Rose House. I do write about grief in order to understand it, but it’s an ongoing journey. I don’t think any of us truly understand the complexities of grief, but it is something we all share at one point or another in our lives. I try to make sense of that in my stories, as much as is possible.

Another thing I enjoyed writing about was Lillian’s second chance at love. I had a second chance at love in my thirties and I am truly blessed, so it was interesting to write about Lillian’s and Truman’s relationship. Neither of them thought they would ever fall in love again and are surprised when it happens for them. As wonderful as their relationship is, there are all kinds of problems they need to work through. It’s a complex, but wonderful experience. It’s hard for other people to understand if they haven’t gone through it, so I was challenged to make the reader feel what Lillian feels in the story.

CRM: With all the interviews you have done, is there any question you wish someone would have asked you? How about a comment you would like to make?

TAF: One thing about Rose House is that I wanted the Rose House itself to be a symbol of hope. I think we all have our own Rose House, although it might not be in the form of a house. It might be a family, a church, or a garden. There is always hope to be found somewhere. For me, my Rose House is my family and on a deeper level, my faith is my Rose House.

CRM: Tell us about your next project. What's on the agenda for Tina Ann Forkner?

TAF: Right now I’m working on two different books. I’m allowing myself to sit back and enjoy the writing process.

CRM: For the writers who read the magazine, do you have any tips to give them? Could you explain YOUR writing process? (Anything that you want to share here that can encourage writers, especially with how difficult it is to publish.)

My writing process is organic. I write without creating an outline in the beginning, but some writers prefer to have everything outlined beforehand. Both ways are good.

One thing I usually tell other writers is to use free-writing as a tool to get started. It’s even good for experienced writers. I create an ongoing junk file in which I’m allowed to write anything I want with absolutely no rules. It’s great for brainstorming or getting past rough times when I don’t feel creative. It’s about writing something, anything, every day. I try to have fun with it.

CRM: Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to visit with us Tina.

TAF: Thanks for having me.

Check out Tina Ann Forkner's book Rose House

CRM has a plan to conduct interviews with both the reader and writer in mind.