Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Thank you letting me join you! I am a 23 year old homeschool graduate. I love playing piano, singing, crafting, and spending time with my family. I live with my family on a small hobby farm in Wisconsin. I also enjoy serving my church. This year my sister and I are directing the Christmas play. And obviously, I love reading and writing. “A Mighty Fortress” is the first book that I have written and published. I have written a few others, but none of them are ready to be published yet.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My newest novel is called “A Mighty Fortress”. It is the first book in a series called “Hymns of the West”. Four or five years ago, Vision Forum had a writing contest based on the picture on their magazine. I was too old to enter the contest, but I wrote a story about the picture anyway. It also ended up being too long for the contest since it was about 25,000 words when I finished the rough draft. The story also changed from the picture in subsequent drafts. The picture was of a brother and sister dangling from a rope off a cliff with a cougar staring at them and the sister is aiming a small pistol at the cougar. The cougar changed to a timber wolf and the pistol changed to a rifle.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I suppose that would mean on your definition of usual. Is listening to music while writing usual? What about writing in my bedroom so I don’t have the distractions of my siblings? I guess, maybe the most unusual writing habit I have is that I use a lot of word wars to get my writing done. At least for the first couple of drafts.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Peter’s Angel by Aubrey Hansen influenced much of the voice in “A Mighty Fortress”. Aubrey Hansen, J. Grace Pennington, Louis L’Amour, Karen Witemeyer, and Brock Thoene all influenced my writing in one way or another.
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on the rough draft of the sequel to “A Mighty Fortress”. The title of the sequel is “Be Thou My Vision”. Since I am still working on the rough draft, the storyline will likely change slightly as I go along. That being said, I will have updates on the progress on my blog: http://FaithBlum.wordpress.com, and on my website: http://HymnsoftheWest.tk.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Since I just started promoting my book, I don’t know for sure yet. Right now, I think my blog and facebook have been the most productive. That and word of mouth.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just keep plugging away at it. Also, make sure you get someone who is not family or a friend to read your book to give you an honest opinion of it. And, please, please, please, make sure you have somebody proofread your book for typos. Especially if you are going to publish independently, there is nothing that screams Indie author like a poorly edited book.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Basically everything I just said in the last answer, edit, proofread, and get constructive feedback on your writing.
What are you reading now?
“The Fellowship of the Ring” by J.R.R. Tolkien, “One Perfect Life” by John MacArthur, “The Gospel of Matthew” by God, and “Forager” by Peter Stone.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Lord willing, publishing “Be Thou My Vision” in the next year or so.
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?
“The Holy Bible”, “The Complete Works of Shakespeare”, “Little Women”, and a hymn book.
Author Websites and Profiles
Faith Blum Website
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