Monday, January 12, 2015

Interview with Keri Aeschliman


Keri, welcome to Homeschool Authors! Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Thank you! I'm 19 years old and I live in rural Ohio on a farm with my family. We raise cattle, and we also grow corn, soybeans and wheat. I love farming--harvest especially is my favorite time of year. Singing, playing piano, harp and mountain dulcimer are a few of my hobbies, as well as crocheting, quilting, gardening, baking and more! I also enjoy spending time with friends, square dancing, playing cards and volleyball. One of my biggest passions is ministering to the persecuted church. I have had the privilege of serving with The Voice of the Martyrs, which has been an incredible blessing and encouragement to me. But if there is one thing that you should know about me, it is that I am a child of God and I am grateful beyond measure for what Christ has done for me.  

Everyone’s homeschooling experience is different. What do you think made yours unique?
My homeschooling experience was definitely unique because of our occupation as farmers. If Dad needed help with anything, we got the day off! During the busy planting and harvesting seasons, being homeschooled was such a blessing because we were free to give Dad a hand and do our school work later.

How did being homeschooled prepare you to write?
When I was in grade school, Mom would occasionally have me write a short story using my list of spelling words, but she rarely made the boys do that...which I didn't think was fair! But looking back, I think she saw that I had potential there and was encouraging me to sharpen those skills.

 What caused you to start writing?
Good question! My freshman year in highschool I was supposed to write an 8-10 page short story. As I began to work on it, I kept getting bigger and better ideas and the story line grew immensely. After several weeks, when it became apparent that this was not going to be finished by the end of the school year, and that it would far exceed 10 pages, Mom told me to take as long as I wanted, just as long as I promised to finish it. What she didn't realize was that it would take me over 3 1/2 years! 

What inspired In Paths of Righteousness?
I can honestly say that it was God. He has become so real to me over the years, and as I grew in my relationship with Him and my understanding of the gospel, I found myself incorporating deeper truths into the story. (You know a lot can happen over the course of that many years!) And now that it's all said and done, I marvel at how the Lord has worked in my own life and given me the inspiration to share what He has done for me through this story.

Would you give us a synopsis?
In Paths of Righteousness is set in a small Minnesota farming community in the late 1800's. The main character, David Riley, is an enthusiastic, hardworking young man of 16 with an appetite for adventure...and for truth. Being raised in a family where religion was nothing more than a deeply rooted tradition--but one that none dared to challenge--David finds himself struggling in vain to ever be good enough to please God. And his constant battles with the bully at school bring out the worst in him. Meanwhile there is a mysterious wives' tale in Detweiler about a crazy old man, a black wolf, and an albino red-tailed hawk. The thrill of the unknown sends David on an adventure to try to figure out the real story. But what he discovers will change his life in more ways than he ever could have imagined. 

Who will enjoy In Paths of Righteousness?
I would recommend this book for ages 12+. It's written on a level that young teens can grasp, and yet I've had numerous adults of all ages read it and say that they couldn't put it down.

Do you plan to write more books?
Yes, I at least plan to write a sequel to this book. 

Where can people connect with you online (social media, websites, blog)?
You can order a copy of my book through my website at: www.storiesbykerinicole.com
Follow my blog to stay updated on farm life and what I'm currently writing: www.storiesbykerinicole.blogspot.com
Or add me to your circles on Google+: www.google.com/+KeriNicole7

Enter to win a paperback copy of In Paths of Righteousness below:

13 comments:

  1. How many stories have you written? (unpublished ones)

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    1. Hi Clare! Not many, actually :) I wrote a handful of short stories when I was a lot younger, but this is really the only story of significance that I have completed. I do have several others that I am in the process of at the moment though!

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  2. Welcome to HS Authors, Keri. I enter few giveaways, but I took the liberty of previewing "Paths Of Righteousness" on Amazon, and it looks rather well-written and engaging. I'm kind of assuming the wives' tale doesn't turn out to be what it sounds like. :-)

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    1. Hi Jason! I usually don't enter any giveaways either, but I'm glad that you entered this one! I suppose you'll just have to read it and find out for yourself how the wives' tale turns out... :)

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  3. This looks like a book I might really enjoy. :) Keri, did you plan to write more than this first book? Or was it an afterthought?

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    1. Hello Rebekah! No, I didn't even plan for this to become a book until it was about 1/2 written :) One of those things were it just kind of happened, and then I look back and see how it was totally God! :)

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  4. Really looking forwards to reading this book Keri. Is this a stand alone story or do you plan to turn it into a series?

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    1. Hey Bethany! Glad you're excited to read it! I am in the very beginning stages of a sequel to this book, but I'm not sure if I'll continue this series any further than that. I have thoughts for a completely different story that I would like to write as well, so I don't know... One story at a time, and as the Lord leads. :)

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  5. One other thing: Will there be a Kindle version of this book? I only see the print version on Amazon.

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    1. Yes, it will be available in several different e-book formats as well, including Kindle, but I'm not sure when that will be. I would think soon. Good question!

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  6. I am looking forward to reading your book in the future!!!

    Love,
    Ashley
    creatingpreciousmoments.blogspot.com

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  7. This is a really neat thing that you did, Keri!!! You've inspired me to work on finishing my books!!

    Love
    Ashley
    creatingpreciousmoments.blogspot.com

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    1. Well Ashley, one thing I've learned about writing is that you can't force it...at least I can't. It definitely does take some inspiration! :) God bless as you write!

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