Today for the Story behind the Story, we have Jo Huddleston and the inspiration behind her book, Her Christmas Dream. Let’s welcome her and thank her for sharing the story behind this story! But first, we’re going to find out a little bit about it.
A Christmas romance sprinkled with suspense!
In this sweet romance set in north Georgia, all Marilyn dreams of for Christmas is a relationship with someone who cares for her. Someone who really knows her. A stranger volunteers at the rescue shelter where Marilyn and her best friend George volunteer. George has concerns about Marilyn’s safety if she dates the stranger. When George becomes overprotective of her, will Marilyn choose the bad-boy- stranger or her best friend to spend Christmas with this year?
Read this 20th- century story to find out which one Marilyn chooses.
So, Jo, what inspired you to write this Christmas romance?
When I began writing Her Christmas Dream , I was unaware that my story was inspired by any one person, place, or event. I write sweet Southern romances, set in the 1950s. So, yes, I set my story in Georgia in 1959. I don’t outline my stories before I begin to write them. I’m what’s called a pantster —I write by the seat of my pants. Before writing, I spend weeks pondering a novel in my head. Generally, I know the beginning and end of the book.
Many times readers ask authors if they pattern their fictional characters after themselves. I don’t think I’ve ever purposely done that. However, as I wrote Her Christmas Dream , my main character, Marilyn, began to remind me of someone.
When that recognition came to me, I read back over what I had written. It was apparent I had unintentionally written a good bit of myself into the character of Marilyn. Many similarities between us were evident: she is an only child as I am; Marilyn has a little streak of independence as I do; she’ll listen to advice from her best friend, her employer, and her parents, but she doesn’t like to be told what to do just as I don’t. Marilyn’s a thirty-year-old woman who feels capable of making her own decisions. I can’t claim her age, but I, too, prefer to make my own decisions.
So, considering the similarities between Marilyn and me, perhaps I did unconsciously inspire my writing of Marilyn in Her Christmas Dream . However, I’ve never made as dangerous an error of judgment as Marilyn did about the newcomer to her small town.
Jo Huddleston is a multi-published author who writes novels inspired by her fascination with the 1950s and her love of her native American South. Novels in her endearing Caney Creek series, her West Virginia Mountains series, as well as her stand-alone release, Tidewater Summer , are sweet Southern historical romance novels. Visit Jo at her website ( www.johuddleston.com ), where you can sign up for her mailing list and read for free the first chapters of her novels and novellas.
Social Media Links
Blog: http://www.johuddleston.com/
Amazon author page: http://amzn.to/1TY4uDI
Facebook author page: https://bit.ly/336Nabg
Where to buy Her Christmas Dream
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2YGpKXs
Jo is giving away a Kindle ebook copy of Her Christmas Dream! To enter, follow the directions below.
Thank you so much, Jo, for joining us today and sharing your new book, Her Christmas Dream!
Why’d you pick 1959?
bn100, I write sweet Southern romances that are set in the 1950s. I’m fascinated with the 1950s and enjoy writing about people living then. Thanks for stopping by.
Enjoyed reading about your character and the similarities discovered to self.