Interview With Allie Pleiter.

Today for my author interview I have Christian fiction author, Allie Pleiter. There is no book giveaway but I found her interview very interesting so please read through it. Thanks!

How long have you known you wanted to be an author? 

A lot shorter than most people.  I was a theater major, actually, working in fundraising for cultural institutions when a friend in the writing industry essentially dared me to try writing a novel.  I had no idea what I was doing when I started out--which was as much a blessing as it was a curse.  

Can you tell me a little bit about your newest book?

MISSION OF HOPE is my second book set in historical San Francisco.  It’s the story of a young man who decides to take on a heroic role “bequested” to him, but to make the role his own.  I like the contrast of a lot of dashing, swashbuckling adventure set against the aftermath of the great 1906 earthquake.

When a reader gets done with your book, what do you want them to come away with?

MISSION OF HOPE deals with how the city began to rebuild itself after the massive earthquake and fires in 1906--and why hope is often the best weapon we have against such overwhelming circumstances.  While we might not get anything on the scale of city-wide destruction thrown our way, life is all to eager to hand us things that feel insurmountable.  God knows, however, that each of us has particular gifts that feel small to us but can begin a process much larger than ourselves.  Everyone can do something important.  That’s the lesson I hope gets communicated.  But in a highly entertaining and engrossing story involving characters you really care about.

Is there a place you have always wanted to visit? A vacation spot, historical monument, overseas, etc?

Actually, I had always had the goal of riding the Orient Express railway for my 50th birthday (I’ll be 48 next month).  That will never happen now, because they’ve shut down the legendary train.  I’ll have to pick something new.  I think Australia and New Zealand would be appealing because I’m such a fan of yarn and knitting.

If you could have dinner with 2 people, who would they be? 

You might be surprised at the answer.  I’d have dinner with J.K. Rowling, because I’d love to hear about her journey to get all those characters out on the page and then subsequently onto the screen (oh, to have a book optioned for film!), and the actor David Tennant, who was recently BBC’s Dr. Who.  I’m a massive Dr. Who fan, and I think Tennant did tremendous things with the role.  Not terribly noble choices, but I suspect the three of us would have the most amazing conversation.

What one event would you love to be at? Historical or future?

This one took a bit of thinking, but I suppose I’d love to be a fly on the wall the night my parents fell for each other.  They’re both gone now, and it would be such fun to see them young and in love.

Do you have a favorite hobby?

Do I ever!  I’m a fanatical knitter.  I never go anywhere without yarn and needles.  I have a knitting blog called “Destiknitions” where I write about the yarn (and food) in the places where I travel.  Knitting is the perfect counterpart to writing for me; tactile, creative, expressive, and not involving words.

Is there something about you most people wouldn't know? 

Well, I think that while the theater major part is unusual, anyone who’s met me wouldn’t be very surprised.  I’m not exactly an introvert.  Maybe that I love James Bond movies and medieval English epic poetry?  

Do you have any suggestions for the aspiring writer? 

I say this all the time:  “Hush up and write the book.”  Craft books and classes are fine, strategy and research and planning are good tools, but nothing takes the place of simply putting words down on the page.  Get out of your own way, stop over-thinking things, and just tell the story.

Any last thoughts for your readers?

I’ll have a new book out in Spring 2011, Yukon Wedding, which is an historical set in the Alaskan Gold Rush era.  It’s the first in a three-book continuity series with two other authors.  And that anyone who wants to pick up the San Francisco book that preceded MISSION OF HOPE should look for  the 2008 title MASKED BY MOONLIGHT.

And how can they connect with you?

My website is www.alliepleiter.com and I love to hear from readers.  The knitting blog can be found at www.destiknitions.blogspot.com.