Interview with Angel in the Furnace Author Stephanie McCall

Julie’s note: This is a re post as I needed to add Stephanie’s Bio and picture, but couldn’t access my admin area last week. I think you will be reading Stephanie’s name for a long time to come.

Stephanie has been a member of the same critique group as me for over a year.  She is a master at grammar and conflict, and I really enjoyed Angel in the Furnace. Soon you will be able to enjoy it, too. Today Stephanie answers some questions, and I learned a lot. Please leave her a comment and get to know her better!

1.       How long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing something since I was 6, so almost 21 years now.

2.       How did you come up with the title of your book?

The title of Angel in the Furnace comes from Daniel chapter three. I did a Beth Moore study on Daniel a few years ago and loved her video session on that chapter. She discussed that there are three options when it comes to trial–God either spares you from it totally, asks you to walk through it, or delivers you from it by taking you to Heaven. My characters are two people who’ve been asked to walk through their fires. They’ve come out alive, but they still smell like smoke.

3.       What do you want readers to know about it?

Dr. Grace Taylor, a driven pediatrician and single mom, needs divine intervention if she’s going to heal from the actions of her cheating, abusive ex.  But she never expected that intervention to come through Chris Anderson, a tutor at the local learning center whose secrets keep him from opening up to her. Despite fears and distrust, love begins to take root in both their hearts. But their fiery secrets threaten to keep them apart, and blister their souls.

4.  What character are you most like, if any?

This is funny, but I think I’m most like Chris Anderson. In this romance, my hero took shape first. We’re both educators and readers, and we both love kids. And when we get hurt, we both have a visceral reaction of withdrawal from others.

5.       What’s your next book about?

The next book (laughs)…I have two ideas. The one I really want to write is sort of autobiographical, about a smart, creative teen girl with mild cerebral palsy, seeking independence from her handicap. My other idea would be to write Josh Anderson’s story. Josh is Chris’ single younger brother, and although I don’t know much so far, I know his love interest’s name is Emily, and she hates dogs for some reason. Except, Josh raises dogs for a living…

6.       What do you do for fun?

Well, of course I read for fun, and honestly, writing is fun for me. I just joined my church’s fledgling drama team. I love to sing, and I have a love-hate relationship with exercise.

7.      What is your favorite book?

(Laughs) I have to pick ONE?! Okay…I’d have to choose Susan May Warren’s Happily Ever After–really, her entire Deep Haven series.

8.       What advice do you have for beginning writers?

Read books whose authors you love. The idea is not to copy them; the idea is to find out where your voice and genre might fit. And then learn all you can about writing. Take classes. Get crit partners. Read books. Let your brain become a writing sponge.

9.       What is your favorite verse?

Jeremiah 29:11. It’s been my life verse since I was 17.

10.   What is something few would guess about you?

Most people would never, and I do mean never, guess I’m a big fan of Reba McEntire and Martina McBride.

Stephanie McCall is an English teacher with two Master of Arts degrees from Western Carolina University, one of which has a professional writing concentration. She also has a B.A. in Religious Studies. She lives in North Carolina with her parents and younger brother, where she enjoys reading, writing (and discussing her writing), and participating in Bible studies, prison ministry, and her church’s drama team. She also plans to adopt a cat in the near future. Her favorite Scripture is Jer. 29:11.