[author title=”Ann Tatlock” image=”https://www.almostanauthor.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Ann-Tatlock-1-color.jpeg”] Ann Tatlock is a novelist, children’s book author, and managing editor of Heritage Beacon, the historical fiction imprint of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. She has a master’s degree in communications from Wheaton College and previously worked as an assistant editor of Decision magazine, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. She and her husband live in North Carolina, and their daughter is a student at NC State. Go, Wolfpack![/author]What is the title of your book?
Once Beyond A Time
What is your book about?
After settling into an old house nearly hidden on the side of a mountain, a broken family discovers that their new home is no ordinary place. The family can see and speak with people who have lived there in the past, and with those who will live there in the future. Are these people apparitions or real? Could the house itself be the stuff of mountain lore, a place where all of time is happening at once?
It’s 1968, and Sheldon and Meg Crane have just moved their family from suburban Philadelphia to the town of Black Mountain, NC. Sheldon has resigned in disgrace from the ministry after an affair. He will now sell used cars for his brother-in-law’s auto dealership. Sheldon is burdened by his wife’s unwillingness to forgive and his daughter’s anger over the move. The oldest son is in Vietnam. The only happy member of the family is his eight-year-old son, Digger. But then, Digger suddenly disappears. Has he been kidnapped or has he wandered off into the mountains? How does the “house beyond time” show one family the healing power of forgiveness and the loving sovereignty of God?
Why do you write what you do?
I’ve written contemporary, historical and visionary novels, and the reason for everything I write is simply to wrap God’s truth in fictional garb. Jesus was himself a storyteller; the gospels are filled with his parables. He knew that people are taught by, inspired by and even changed by stories. While I want my stories to entertain, I also want to give readers something worthwhile to think about, and—more than that—I want to offer them hope.
What are you currently working on?
I have stepped around to the other side of the desk for a while and am doing some fiction editing. This is something entirely new for me! I work as managing editor of Heritage Beacon, the historical fiction imprint of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. Generally, I assign manuscripts to our various editors, but I’ve decided to tackle a couple of editing projects myself. I recently worked with Buck Storm on his debut novel, “The Miracle Man,” which was released in June 2015, and now I’m editing his second novel. His work is hilarious, creative, thoughtful and intelligent all at once, and I’m thoroughly enjoying the task of helping him prepare his stories for publication.
How does your work differ from other work in its genre?
I believe God gifts every writer with his or her own distinctive voice. Just as we all have personalized fingerprints, we all have our own way of telling a story. So my work differs from others in that I have my own way of envisioning and relaying a story—my own way of using the imagination God has given me. We’re all different because God is so creative, and that’s a wonderful thing. We are all unique, and we are all deemed “very good” by our Creator!
How does your writing process work?
Several months are devoted to research before I begin to write. While I’m doing the research, the small seed of an idea I’m working with begins to grow and take shape. Characters and scenes take on form in my mind. I write down scenes as they come, then plug them into a calendar that coincides with the timeline of the book. When I know the beginning and the end and an approximate route of how to get from one place to the other, I begin to write, knowing that I’ll probably take a few detours along the way as characters speak to me and tell me how the story is unfolding. I can spend up to a year writing and rewriting before the book is ready for editing. It’s a long process and not for those who seek immediate gratification!
Social Media and Blog:
Website: www.anntatlock.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ann.tatlock.1
Twitter: @AnnTatlock
Amazon Link: http://tinyurl.com/p9h6lgb
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2 Comments
Like you, Ann, I believe in the power of the parable! Your book sounds really good and I’m eager to read it. Thanks for sharing your story.
Thank you for sharing your writing life with me. Your work in progress grabs my imagination. Can’t wait to read it.