Nicole Sager!
Nicole, welcome to
the blog. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Thanks Sarah! I am a homeschool graduate and am now in my
early 20s. I currently serve as my 8-year-old sister's homeschool teacher and I
love the rewarding (if challenging) job. Aside from writing, my hobbies include
reading and theatre (my favorite roles to play have been Lina from "Singin
in the Rain" & Yente from "Fiddler on the Roof"). I love to
sing (especially with my siblings) and I also tap-dance!
What is your most
cherished homeschool memory?
That would have to be the time my mom told us that we'd be
making an ear for science. I was so excited as I pictured this big elaborate
model that I was so sure would look like an actual ear. It turned out to be
table, blankets, string, paper, and a hammer, and we crawled through to name
the different parts of the ear. I was so disappointed it wasn't like I
imagined, but now it makes me laugh to remember my expectations! A few weeks
ago it was my younger siblings' turn, and I helped them make an
"ear"!
What is your favorite
part of being homeschooled?
I love that homeschooling parents have the freedom to teach
their children more than just the typical subjects. They can teach character
and introduce young ones to faith in Jesus Christ, better preparing the next
generation for their adult lives. I also loved being able to go at my own pace
in order to learn more efficiently.
What caused you to
start writing?
My first book was an interactive picture book that I made
out of a moment of inspiration :) After that, I learned that I loved trying to
depict scenes so that others could share what I "saw" in my head.
What inspired you to
write The Heart of Arcrea?
What is The Heart of
Arcrea about?
How far would a young peasant go in search of justice? How
far will his diverse companions go to follow him? And how far will his enemies
go to stop him?
“He who discovers the
heart of Arcrea and joins the hands of the seven regions will be king.”
Set during a forgotten age of kings and queens, knights and
nobles, wise-men and warlords, The Heart of Arcrea follows the story of Druet
the blacksmith, who, hoping to free his father from an unjust imprisonment,
sets out on a quest that will solve an ancient riddle and crown a man as
Arcrea’s first king. A host of memorable characters join Druet on his mission
of justice, but opposition quickly rises to test their level of commitment and
their faith in God. Will the dangerous wilds of Arcrea and her seven oppressive
lords succeed in bringing an end to Druet’s quest and crush forever the kingdom’s
hopes for a just king?
What is this heart of Arcrea and where is it to be
found? “You must discover it for
yourself.”
Who will enjoy this
story?
Age-wise: The book is cataloged as a YA Christian Fantasy
book. However, as I mentioned before, my hope & prayer is that it will be a
blessing to all ages. I have a review on Amazon that supports this!
Genre-wise: The book has a definite Christian emphasis and
is a non-magical fantasy. I have had the plot compared to "Narnia"
& "Lord of the Rings". So I'd say anyone who enjoys Christian Fiction
or Fantasy!
Where can people get
it? There are a number of stores that carry it online, including:
CreateSpace, Amazon (paperback or Kindle), B&N, BAM, Alibris, Paperback
Swap, etc...
What writers have
influenced you the most?
I have noticed that whatever I'm reading at the moment is
sure to influence what I'm writing at the time. For influence in medieval
writing, I like to try and read a book by G.A. Henty.
What is your favorite
fantasy book of all time?
I actually haven't read very many fantasy books! But I did
love Chuck Black's 2 series (The Kingdom Series & The Knights of
Arrethtrae). While based on factual stories from the Bible, they are sold as
fantasy allegories. Wonderful books!
What is the best
writing advice you ever received?
Research. Whatever you're writing about, it can't hurt to
know a little bit more about the topic. I must say that research is one thing I
find tedious, but whenever I took the time to do it I was rewarded with details
that made my story richer. Other advice: Write for the Lord, because He is the
One that really matters!
Do you have any final
thoughts?
I want to thank you so much for hosting these interviews and
reviews for homeschool authors! What a wonderful ministry! Also, to those
reading the blog, thanks for your support as well! Please continue to research
homeschool authors! Contact them (or any of your favorite authors) and let them
know you've read their book. Find them on Goodreads! Ask them questions! If
they are like me, I know they would love to hear from you. Have a blessed day!
This was a very enjoyable interview. It was great to learn a little something about homeschooling and Nicole's journey into writing. I've read the first two books in her series, and I'm excited to see the third book is now available and that there will be a new series coming. I highly recommend the Arcrea series!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Nicole. As a homeschooling mom, I really appreciate good, wholesome stories with a good message for my children. I read the whole series and absolutely love them. I like that adults can enjoy it (and learn something from too) and younger ones can stretch a bit, either by learning new vocabulary words, or growing in their faith. Thank you! Keep writing!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your sweet words! It's a blessing to hear that my prayers are being answered and that you're enjoying the books!
ReplyDelete