INTERVIEW | Maureen Lang
By editor on Mar 9, 2007 in Interviews
Maureen, describe yourself for our visitors.
I think of myself more as a reader than a writer. I love to read and when I write it’s often because I’m looking for an entertaining story and there happens to be one going on in my head. Plus I love history. It’s full of so many interesting dilemmas to put characters into!
I’m married and have three children, one of whom has Fragile X Syndrome (a form of genetic mental retardation). He keeps me busy! My husband and I are also active in our church, between Bible studies and various service projects. I help out in our church bookstore – it’s a great way to meet others who love books. I’m also part of two writer’s critique groups so my days pass incredibly fast.
How do you find time to connect with God?
I’m an early riser and I have breakfast with God every morning. Prayer and Bible Study always work best for me before my boys are awake, and it’s a great way to start the day. I take walks with my Ipod feeding worship songs into my head—it’s invigorating, both physically and spiritually. I also love going to church, to sing worship songs with our congregation (even though I have a voice only God can appreciate). I enjoy learning more about God’s Word through the sermons our pastors teach, and attending a women’s Bible study group.
Tell us about your journey to publication.
I’ve actually been involved in publishing with two separate endeavors. The first was around twenty years ago, at a time in my life when I’d let myself drift far from God. I’ve always been interested in writing, and back then secular romances were really taking off. I wrote and had published three historical romances that unfortunately didn’t honor my faith. When I rededicated my life to Christ I realized that kind of writing was useless as far as the Kingdom was concerned. I withdrew my fourth novel from my agent and we amicably separated. I didn’t write again for fifteen years! But when God called me back to write, He made it simple. Words flew faster than my fingers could keep up, and I’ve been writing ever since.
My first attempts at publication in the Christian market were met with rejection. Nice rejections, but rejections all the same. Almost three years went by before I met an editor from Kregel at a writer’s conference. That ultimately led to the publication of my first Inspirational (Pieces of Silver, March, 2006) although that whole process took another three years! At the ACFW conference I met Greg Johnson, my agent, and he was able to sell a two book deal to Tyndale House, the first of which comes out in May of this year.
Tell us about your current book?
REMEMBER ME (Kregel Publications) is a sequel to last year’s release, PIECES OF SILVER. Like the first one, this is set during the First World War. Lissa Parker is the latest in her family’s long line of fiercely patriotic Americans. She enlists as a Red Cross Nurse in the hopes of serving American troops just entering the European strife. But before leaving, she meets a mysterious, wounded man her neighbor brings home for recuperation from an “accident.†Despite not knowing his past, Lissa falls in love with the man, fretting when he regains his health (though not his memory) only to enlist in the Army. It’s as if he’s signing up to be one of her patients! Little does she know the war isn’t the greatest threat to a future with this man. It’s his past.
How did you come up with ideas for your current release?
Did I mention I love history? I also love the time period of the First World War (1914-1918). There were so many changes taking place then, the world seemed on the brink of a modern age but with one foot still firmly entrenched in history. That war also leaves plenty of room for interpretation. Why were we involved, who was right, who, if anyone, was to blame? It was easy to imagine characters battling the sort of questions we can identify with today. I was amazed at how many parallels there have been! It’s somehow comforting to be able to put characters into a historical setting where you can control the outcome—very different from real life.
List your most recent books.
PIECES OF SILVER was released last March and is still available.
REMEMBER ME is available as of March 1st 2007. Both books are published by Kregel Publications and available everywhere.
What’s next for you?
THE OAK LEAVES will release in May of this year (‘07), a story of two women of two very different generations dealing with the ramifications of a genetic disorder in their genes. But not to worry, the sad parts are interspersed with a romance so it’s an enjoyable read! (I wouldn’t have it any other way.)
THE IMAGE BEARERS will release in the fall (‘07) and is a sequel to THE OAK LEAVES, focusing on a modern-day woman whose family has served the Hamilton/Hollinworth line for twelve generations, and a Victorian of high ideals and energy whose goal is to serve children known as the “gentle feebleminded.†This one has a romance in both generations!
Both of these books are of special importance to me because they revolve around people dealing with Fragile X Syndrome, which is what my son suffers from. It was very satisfying to explore and then share some of the emotions that came with my own experiences with this disorder.
Where can visitors find you online?
I have a website at www.maureenlang.com and I hope many will stop by for a visit! I have a page for Writer’s, a “Thoughts On†page that’s a little like a (limited) blog and a Links page listing other writers and resources.
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