Interview With Author Courtney Ranger
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi! I’m Courtney Ranger! I just released my debut novella, and I still can’t believe I’m finally an author. I’ve been writing for longer than I can remember, and I write stories that I hope will share light and hope with the world.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is In Thy Tender Care. It is published as the first installment of the multi-author series, The Carols of Christmas. I absolutely ADORE Christmas carols, and I had the idea for a series of books inspired by sacred Christmas carols. I chose to use Away in a Manger as my inspiration because I find the third verse so incredibly comforting. My novella was inspired by a… difficult Christmas I had a few years ago. I had to learn to trust in God’s plan when it was made ABUNDANTLY clear that it differed greatly from my own and learn that even though my Heavenly Father sent me a trial that I didn’t think I could handle, that He still held me in His tender care.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Whenever I am stuck in my writing process, I have my sisters poke holes in my plot and then we brainstorm ways to mend the holes. It always inspires me to continue writing.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Oh heavens, exactly how much time do I have because we could be here all day…
I guess I should start with Janette Oke’s Love Comes Softly series, my first forays into the world of Christian fiction. I am in AWE of Oke’s ability to elicit such an astounding range of emotional responses in her readers, having them in stitches from laughter one instant and bawling their eyes out the next. While I would never presume to have accomplished the same level of mastery that Oke seems to come by so naturally, I hope that my novella could have even a fraction of the emotional pull that hers do.
Penny Zeller is a more recent discovery and another master of writing Christian fiction. Zeller’s books are uniquely able to make me feel happy when I read them. I joke with my friends that I use her novels as antidepressants. I hope that my books will have the same power to spread light and joy as Zeller’s.
A bit more simple, but I was inspired by my friend, Abigail Kay’s portrayals of sibling relationships in her stories to write a sweet sister themes into my debut novella. My sisters have been so vital in every aspect of my life and Abigail Kay’s beautiful example of writing about siblings really inspired me to include that aspect of my life in my story.
I’ll just include one more example. One of the sweetest authors on the face of the planet, Kyrie Wang, is another author who works in the medical field when she’s not writing. Wang has talked a lot about how her work in the medical field has influenced her writing. I was inspired by Wang’s example to use my novella as a means of working through some of my feelings from things I have experienced in my short time working in the medical community myself.
What are you working on now?
I am SO EXCITED that I get to be published as part of an anthology being published by a small press publisher, Beyond the Bookery. The anthology is called Waking Courage, and I get to work with two of the most incredible writers EVER, Madisyn Carlin and Samantha Seidel. Waking Courage is an anthology of fairy tale retellings releasing as a part of Beyond the Bookery’s Fairy Tale Frenzy, and I cannot WAIT for readers to get their hands on it! It is going to be so fun, and I’ve LOVED getting to work with the amazing team at Beyond the Bookery!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Oof. I feel like I’m still figuring this out, but I believe that so far using BookFunnel promos and Instagram posts have been most important!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
When God places a story on your heart, you will be able to write it. He doesn’t tell you to write a story you won’t be able to write. He doesn’t work that way. It will be difficult; He will use the story as a way to teach you, but He will also walk with you the whole way.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
One of my friends always reminds me to pray for God’s guidance in my writing, and it definitely helps. Sometimes more than I care to admit…
What are you reading now?
I’m about to read C.K. Heartwing’s A Noble Life. It is the fourteenth installment in the Cornerstone multi-author series. It’s a retelling of Snow White and Rose Red and it sounds SO INTRIGUING!
What’s next for you as a writer?
I have a fantasy series of fairy tale retellings I am hoping to announce and start releasing in 2026!
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I get a max of four???? This is tourture!
…
…
…
Fine. I’ll play…
1. My scriptures. My relationship with God is SO important and I would need to be able to stay close with him to survive the experience. And let’s not forget that the scriptures contain some of the BEST stories, from love stories to dead men walking to talking donkeys, there’s truly something for everyone.
2. The largest, fattest journal I can find with a pen attached. I’ll need SOMETHING to write on!
3. A fairy tale treasury. It will have lots of stories and should take a bit of time to get old.
4. A wilderness survival guide. Yes, as a fiction reader it pains me to admit that I’ll have to give up a space for a book for something… nonfiction *grimaces*, but alas, this author will need ALL the help she can get to survive.
Author Websites and Profiles
Courtney Ranger Amazon Profile
Courtney Ranger’s Social Media Links
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