I graduated from Krahn Homeschool in 2015 and am currently living on our family farm, helping where I can and writing in my free time. Growing up as the youngest of seven, I took advantage of my older siblings' books and reading became a part of me at a young age. My first book was self-published when I was seventeen, and now, at the age of twenty, I have six books self-published, and one traditionally published through Ambassador International. Personality wise, I like to describe myself like my purse, bling on one side, camo on the other side, and the cross in the center. Depending on what settings you know me in, you might think of me as a loud tomboy who likes ice hockey, hunting and fishing, or you might think of me as a shy girl who likes bling, shopping, and coffee drinks.
Everyone’s homeshooling experience is different. What do you think made yours unique?
One thing that really sticks out to me about my homeschooling experience, was how organized it was. My mom would write out lesson plans for us that went through the whole year, and kept us on schedule. Also, growing up on a farm, we got lots of 'field trips'. My parents took our farm, and in my high-school years, the family corn maze, and used them to teach us about running businesses, and having employees. A lot of the lessons in my school were backed by real-life hands-on experiences. I also feel that my parents did a great job with making time to incorporate travel into our schooling. Through different competitions and conventions, I had the opportunity to travel all over America learning things that I would never have learned from behind a desk.
How did being homeschooled prepare you to write?
My mom knew that I liked to write when I was still pretty young, so all through my homeschool years, she made sure to have me do a lot of curriculum geared towards writers. When I was thirteen, she got me the One Year Adventure Novel high-school writing curriculum, and that's what really started helping my writing improve. I'm very grateful that my parents didn't make me stick to the traditional education and schooling hours, but instead, they customized our school experience, to help us in what we were interested. For some of my brothers, it was taking extra mechanic classes, and for others, it was taking intense music classes. For me, it was allowing me to have the time I needed to write, and the material to help me improve.
What caused you to start writing?
I've always like to write, and even my earliest childhood notebooks have stories scribbled in them. I always dreamed of being published some day, but I knew it probably would never happen. Then, one day, one of my brothers told me I would never get published. He went so far as to say that if I ever did get published, he would help with the expenses. That's when I KNEW that I was going to get published. I had him write out his promise and sign it, and when I was seventeen, I returned the note to him stamped 'Paid in Full'. I can honestly say that I would not be where I am today if it weren't for my supportive family. They all encourage me, inspire me, and help as much as they can.
What inspired Mission of a Lifetime?
This sounds kind of funny, but I actually got the inspiration for Mission of a Lifetime through a dream I had! The dream, while NOTHING like the book, got me thinking about the intense and dangerous situations that missionaries face, and ideas began flowing. I was working on some other books at the time, but I knew I was eventually going to write Mission of a Lifetime.
Would you give us a synopsis?
A missing airplane . . . Hostile tribes . . . Mysterious kidnappings . . .
Responsibility falls upon twenty-one-year-old William Rodriguez when his missionary parents disappear in the hostile jungles of Columbia. Willie knows that he has to go find them, but what will it cost him? When his dreams and his very life are on the line, Willie doesn’t know who to trust. Will he be able to overcome his past mistakes and the present failure that seems set on destroying his mission?
When Willie finds himself in the midst of a drug smuggling ring, difficult decisions are thrust upon him. Can he escape his captors before his family is killed? Can he find forgiveness in his heart for the very people who ruined his life or will it only bring back more painful memories? Will he be able to survive the mission of a lifetime?
Who will enjoy Mission of a Lifetime?
If you enjoy intense drama, and adventure, you will enjoy Mission of a Lifetime. It is specifically written for 14-25 year old guys, but has been enjoyed by both men and women of all ages.
Do you plan to write more books?
Yes! As a writer, I'm ALWAYS writing something, and I'm currently working on a trilogy of mystery adventure novels for ages 9-14.
Where can people connect with you online?
I blog at - www.priscillajkrahn.com
My business Facebook page is - https://www.facebook.com/PriscillaJ.KrahnAuthor/
I can also be found on Goodreads, Google+, and my Amazon author page.
Do you have any final thoughts?
The world of writing is both difficult, and rewarding. If you're a beginning writer, or a parent trying to encourage a young writer, don't give up. Keep at it! Even if you never get a word published, don't get discouraged. One of the things that has kept me going over the years is my favorite verse, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 "In EVERYTHING give thanks, for this IS THE WILL OF GOD; in Christ Jesus concerning YOU." When we realize that God's will for our lives is to be thankful in EVERYTHING, then whether we're writing or not, we can have the joy of the Lord, which is my strength.
Mission of a Lifetime sounds really cool! I might have to check it out myself + maybe my brother would be interested in it too. :)
ReplyDeleteTarissa
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