As writers we all have a purpose for writing. We want to entertain, inform, persuade, or inspire. The passions in our own lives drive what we write.
You care about the environment so you may include a character in your book that feels the same.
You are politically minded so perhaps you write political thrillers.
As a Christian, my own beliefs and desire to tell people about God compel me to write Christian-based nonfiction and fiction.
Today’s interview is with a like-minded woman. Catherine Ulrich Brakefield’s newest book, Wilted 
Dandelions released today. Though fictional, Catherine has set her story in the midst of the Second Great Awakening, a time in our history when godly revival gripped the nation.
Let’s dive in and learn more about what inspired Catherine to write this book and her experiences with the story.
Why did you write Wilted Dandelions?
My inspiration for Wilted Dandelions began 40 years ago during a vacation I took with my siblings. It was my first time out west and I was awed by the splendors I witnessed. Seeing the early missionary site of Marcus and Narcissa Whitman and learning about the Second Great Awakening inspired me to write Wilted Dandelions. Honestly, I’m praying for America to have another Great Awakening.
Was there any one person who was your inspiration for Rachael Rothburn?
My lovely daughter is an avid reader and she told me one day, “I wish the heroine wasn’t always slender, petite, and beautiful. Can’t the heroine be less than perfect?”
Rachael Rothburn is far from perfect. Too tall and past the marriageable age for the era in which she lives. She is known to friends and neighbors as Spinster Rachael. Rachael accepts Jesus as her personal savior, and finds meaning for her life. She places her faith and hope in Jesus, believing God has planned for her to be a missionary for the Indians in the West.
In the book, you say “Better to wither beneath adversity than wilt in dreams of what might have been.” Why do you feel that way?
We all dream. I have never met anyone who does not have plans for their future. But oftentimes we don’t believe enough in ourselves to make our dream come true. Instead we live the rest of our life thinking about what ifs. I believe we need our loving Creator to complete us, to help us achieve our goals.
God has given each person a destiny only they can fulfill. To find your destiny, you have to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Then God assigns you to your position on the world’s football field against Satan’s team. Maybe it’s just to be a disciple linebacker, maybe a disciple quarterback. Whatever your calling, you are important to your team and God’s plan. But when we wither before adversity and retreat instead of advance, we fail ourselves, our team, and God.
What happened to Rachael and Jonathan in Wilted Dandelions will happen to Jesus’ faithful followers. Those who are brave enough to follow Jesus will, during their discipleship, wilt. As Jesus tells Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Christian authors may never attain the notoriety of their counterparts; may never have the physical attainment of riches and acceptability of their peers; may doubt their calling, wonder why God allowed this to happen? But those who “having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience …” will attain the highest acclamation from their heavenly Father: “Well done good and faithful servant!”
What’s the most important thing readers will learn from Wilted Dandelions?
God never forsakes us. Whatever happens to you God can turn into good for the glory of His kingdom, just like He did when Rachael was captured by an Indian. Roman 8:28 tells us, “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
What advice do you have for writers concerning finding and gaining a publisher?
When looking for a publisher, read some of the books the publisher has done. See if your book meets the criteria. I read CrossRiver’s books and found they had a moral lesson. You can’t go wrong by purchasing any one of them!
I always told my children, “Garbage in garbage out.” In other words, throw away the bones and digest the meat. Life is too short to waste a second on reading a book or watching television that doesn’t give you some meat. Francis Bacon says it better than I can. “Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested.” I pray Wilted Dandelions is that kind of book!
What did you know going into this whole publishing process that helped you the most?
Scriptures and prayer! I prayed “Lord, help me write this book” and He did.
Ask God His opinion. After all, we are on His team. Maybe it is not His will that we write a best seller. But maybe it is His will that we save just one person through our novel. What does Jesus tell us? “I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.” Luke 15:7
At one National Historical Trails Center, these words were posted, “Missionaries were driven to preach the gospel to people they feared hadn’t been exposed to Christianity, namely the Indians of the far west.” People have forgotten Christ’s salvation message. That is our duty. To preach the Good News about our Savior who has opened wide the doors to paradise for us!
Where can we buy Wilted Dandelions?
It’s available from my publisher CrossRiver Media Group. I have an iPhone stylus imprinted with Matt. 17:20 ‘If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed…nothing is impossible” to include with every CrossRiver Wilted Dandelions purchase.
You can also find the book online at Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, anywhere books are sold.
I do a lot of book signings, so readers can check my web page or follow me on Facebook to see if I have a book signing in their area.
Thank you so much for being here with us today, Catherine. Your love and enthusiasm for Christ and His message of salvation bubbles over in all you have to say. I pray God uses Wilted Dandelions to send His message of love to your readers.
Readers, Catherine will be available all day to answer your questions and comments.
What inspires your writing? Leave your answer or questions for Catherine in the comments section.
ABOUT CATHERINE ULRICH BRAKEFIELD
Wilted Dandelions is Catherine’s second inspirational historical romance. She is also the author of The Wind of Destiny, her first historical romance. Catherine’s history books include, Images of America, The Lapeer Area, and Images of America, Eastern Lapeer County. Her short stories have been published in Guidepost Books Extraordinary Answers to Prayers, Unexpected Answers; and the Desires of Your Heart: Baker Books, Revell, The Dog Next Door, Horse of my Heart; The Benefit Package and the upcoming God’s Promises from CrossRiver Media.
See www.CatherineUlrichBrakefield.com for more information
ABOUT WILTED DANDELIONS
High-spirited Rachael Rothburn is eager to leave her luxurious life in Buffalo, New York, to share the gospel with Native Americans in the Oregon Territory. But the missionary alliance requires their missionaries to be married and Rachael has no husband or suitors.
When Dr. Jonathan Wheaton, another missionary hopeful, learns about the restriction, he is desperate to find a wife. He offers Rachael a marriage of convenience and she agrees. After a hasty wedding, the pair sets off for the West knowing little about each other. Together they battle raging rivers, hostile Indians, sickness, treacherous mountain trails, and more. But as the seeds of love begin to grow, Jonathan’s jealousy and pride threaten to be an even greater danger than anything they find as they journey west. Can they overcome the challenges and discover a true and lasting love?