Emily Putzke on Resist

Emily, welcome back to Homeschooled Authors. What have you been up to since the last time you were here?
Thank you! Since I was last interviewed on Homeschooled Authors I’ve penned two more books—a WWII novel entitled RESIST and an epistolary novella, AIN’T WE GOT FUN, that I co-authored with Emily Chapman.

You did a lot of research for Resist. What were some of the most helpful resources you found?
Since Resist is based on a true story of Hans and Sophie Scholl, one of the most helpful resources I found was the book The Diaries and Letters of Hans and Sophie Scholl. Reading their words helped to bring their story to life and keep my interpretation of them as true to reality as possible. I also purchased non-fiction books about them so that I could underline passages and keep the historical details straight. I read poetry Hans and Sophie would have read, drawing on their love of the written word as quoted in their letters. Pinterest boards for novels are always helpful as well. When you're creating characters from scratch, it's easy to picture them in your head as you please, but when they're real people it's necessary to study their faces and expressions. You can check out my Pinterest board for Resist HERE. I also used YouTube to take virtual research trips around Munich. I’m thankful for people who record their travels!

What was the hardest part about writing Resist?
Emotionally, the hardest part was the research and the ending. I think I cried the most while doing the research because the story was still new and fresh to me. Maybe the writing didn’t make me cry as much because I put myself in Hans’ place for the entire novel … maybe some of his courage was passed on to me. “I knew what I took upon myself and I was prepared to lose my life by doing so …. please don’t be too grieved that I have to leave this earth so soon .... please know that Sophie and I couldn’t have acted in any other way.” But I can’t deny that the ending was hard and I had tears burning in my eyes as I wrote the final words.

Historically, the hardest part were the chapters on the Eastern Front. Hans was a German medic serving in Russia in 1942, and although I had his diary entries from this time, I wanted an even deeper understanding of everyday life as a medic so I could make the front come alive. Between Hans’ diaries and another first-hand account of a German doctor, I was able to understand it better.

What was the easiest part?
The beginning came really easily to me. It was one of those wonderful and rare times when they words just flow and won’t stop.

What are some fictional books set during WWII that you have enjoyed?
The Wall by John Hersey
Violins of Autumn by Amy McAuley
The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron
Under a War-Torn Sky by L.M. Elliott
Soldiers Boys by Dean Hughes
The Boy Who Dared by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
Chateau of Secrets by Melanie Dobson

What do you hope to accomplish with this book?
When I was researching Resist, I noticed something similar in all the books I was reading—The White Rose leaflets were always in the back of the book. I'm sure there are people who read them, but I imagine there are many readers who don't. So when I began writing Resist, I didn't want to just stick those amazing intellectual works in the back. I wanted them to be a part of the story because Hans, Sophie, Alex, Christl, Willi, Professor Huber ... they all died for these leaflets. I incorporated the six leaflets into the story and I hope readers will take a moment to soak in their words. The White Rose resistance group believed in their cause so much that they were willing to risk their lives to write and distribute these leaflets. We should take a minute to read them.

Where can people get it?
It’s available in paperback, ebook, and audio on Amazon.

Do you have any final thoughts?
Thank you so much for having me on Homeschooled Authors!

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Emily Ann Putzke is a young novelist, historical reenactor, and history nerd. She's the author of IT TOOK A WAR, RESIST, and co-author of AIN'T WE GOT FUN. You can find out more about Emily and her books at www.authoremilyannputzke.com

The Impact on us part 2

Out Talents Part 2

Our Favorite Summer Activities Part 2

Emily Putzke

I know what you're thinking. "Her favorite summer activity is eating?" Well ... maybe ... =) One of the best things about summer is homegrown vegetables from our garden. Beans and fried zucchini are two of my favorites dishes. 

Amber Schamel

One of my family's favorite summer activities is playing volleyball at potlucks or picnics. In this picture, we're actually in Florida on vacation playing volleyball at night with some church friends. 

Over the Fourth of July, we went to a picnic in Walnut Ridge, AR. It had rained something awful so the ground was VERY muddy. It didn't take long, and our grassy volleyball court was mud too. I wish I had a picture of my brothers. They were covered in mud. COVERED. They take their game serious, so diving for the ball, mud or not, was happening. LOL.

Kendra Ardnek

Favorite Summer Activity: This is a picture of me inside my invisible rocket. Living in the sauna of East Texas, It's always nice to have a getaway that's cool and dry - so I use my rocket to take regular trips to the moon. However, since it's invisible, it doesn't show up will in pictures, so you'll have to look carefully.

Our favorite genres part 1

Our Family Part 2

Emily Ann Putzke

I’m the third out of four kids. Jamie’s the oldest and she’s married to Stephen. They have 4 kiddos: Ava, Clare, Emeric, and Gabriel. My brother, Timothy, comes next. He’s married to Maria (she’s my book editor) and they just had their first daughter, Chiara Magdalena, in June! Then there’s me, the crazy writer lady who drinks lots of coffee and likes polka dots. The youngest is Haley. She’s 11 and is still being homeschooled. We have a wonderful mom and dad who encourage us and love us. I like being related to all these amazing people. =)

Kendra Ardnek

My Family: This was taken last Easter. First we have me, author extraordinaire, laughing at whatever it was the photographer just said. Then we have our dad, Tim, who is a basketball referee, and is a host over at Rapture Ready Radio. My sister, V. Kathie, who enjoys drawing, the violin, sewing, and trying to keep up with me in writing. Then our brother, Scholar, who loves learning, especially science. Our mom, who is an amazing teacher and has not only homeschooled the four of us since I started school (early), but also teaches a friend's kids as well. And finally, Sunshine, the baby of the family, who is quite the character and wants to be a princess. Either that or a bird, so she can fly.

Sarah Holman

Back row, Dad, my brother Micheal, and my Mom

Middle row: Grace, Mikayla, and Rose

Front row: Myself and Rebekkah

We are standing in a field of bluebonnets, on of our favorite sights around Easter time in Texas.

All of us live at home, pursuing what God has for us. My brother is a nursing student, Rose works part time at a thrift store, and volunteers at the hospital most of the rest of the time. Grace is always making something with beads, Rebekkah raises goats and chickens. Mikayla is just finishing high school and  deciding what is next in her life.

My mom still makes out house the best place to come home too, while my dad works hard at his job with the Sate of Texas.

Our Summer Reading Lists part 3

Emily Putzke

Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion - Elizabeth L. Cline

The Auschwitz Volunteer -  Witold Pilecki

Resistance and Betrayal - Patrick Marnham

A Higher Call: An Incredible True Story of Combat and Chivalry in the War-Torn Skies of World War II - Adam Makos

Band of Brothers - Stephen E. Ambrose

The Collapse of the Third Republic - William L. Shirer

Nuremberg - William F. Buckley Jr.

Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens

The Help -  Kathryn Stockett

He Leadeth Me - Walter J. Ciszek,

A Diary From Dixie -  Mary Boykin Chesnut

Aspects of the Novel -  E.M. Forster

Go Set a Watchman - Harper Lee

Soldiers of the Night -David Schoenbrun

Vichy France and the Jews -  Michael R. Marrus and  Robert O. Paxton

The Fall of France - Julian T. Jackson

Noah's Ark - Marie-Madeleine Fourcade

Miracles Do Happen - Andree Peel

Defying ISIS: Preserving Christianity in the Place of Its Birth and in Your Own Backyard - Johnnie Moore

In the Skin of a Jihadist: Inside Islamic State's Recruitment Networks - Anna Erelle

Julia Erickson

A Different Kind of Courage by Sarah Holman ;)

The Winnie-the-Pooh collection by A. A. Milne

Preparing to be a Helpmeet by Debi Pearl

Life is for Living by Anita Yoder

Christ the Healer by F. F. Bosworth

By Grace Alone by Derek Prince

You Matter to God by Derek Prince

Beautiful in God's Eyes by Elizabeth George

The Answers Book by Ken Ham

How to Blog for Profit by Ruth Soukup

A Jane Austen Devotional by Thomas Nelson (on Kindle)

Structuring Your Novel by K. M. Weiland (Still have to get my copy!)

The Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook (due to release later this year)

Come Rain or Come Shine by Jan Karon (Also due to release later this year)

Read-to-Win: Who We Are Part 2

Read-to-Win 2015

It is almost here! Here is our Read-To-Win line up!

Kelsey Bryant: Family Reunion 

Julia Erickson: Ashburn

Ashley Elizabeth Blair Tetzlaff: An Easter Carol 

Amber Schamel: The Healer's Touch

Sarah Holman: A Different Kind of Courage

Katie Daniels: Supervillian Series

Kendra E. Ardnek: The Ankulen 

Faith Blum: Amazing Grace

Emily Putzke: It Took a War

J. Grace Pennington: Machiavellian

Jessica Greyson: Captive of Raven Castle 

Morgan Huneke: Creighton Hill

Jason McIntire: The Sparrow Found a House

Please feel free to share this image in any way to tell people about this awesome event.

Book Review: It Took a War by Emily Ann Putzke

Buy it Here

Age Appropriate For: All ages (some mild violence)

Best for Ages: 10 – 18

Description: 1861 - Sixteen year old Joe Roberts leads a mundane life as far as he’s concerned. His world spins in the same circle each day: working at his family’s store, taking his sisters on boyish escapades and bickering with his rogue of a cousin, Lucas. Joe can’t understand why his mother allows Lucas to live and work with them after all the pain he caused their family. When war is declared, Joe is quick to join up and become a soldier with the 11th Pennsylvania Volunteers, but war is nothing like he imagined. To make matters worse, he must endure having Lucas in the same regiment. Can Joe put the pain of the past behind him? Forgiveness is easier said than done.

It is always a pleasure to find books my fellow homeschool graduates have written in my favorite genre, historical fiction. It is also a delight to find someone who has such a passion that they do a huge amount of research and make the book feel authentic.

This story is perfect to introduce young readers and students to the Civil War as well as concepts of forgiveness and problems of bitterness. Not only does the style and wording lend itself to younger readers, the story itself is about young people.

The characters were likable and believable. They each have their own struggles and lessons that need to be learned. Joe, the focus of the story, deals with being bitter at his cousin, Lucas, who has been a problem ever since he moved in.

The story isn’t long at all (it is about 160 pages) and moves quickly. In fact, the downside to this book is that it moved a little too quickly toward the end. However, I think that most readers won’t mind.

The lessons to be learned, and the historical backdrop that is painted, are worth the time it takes to read. The lessons will encourage young hearts in their faith, and the historical details will spark their interest in history.

I highly recommend this book to homeschool students, young people, and to history lovers.

Was this helpful? Please vote it up on Amazon.

Interview with Emily Ann Putzke

Emily, welcome to Homeschool Authors! Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Thank you so much for hosting me!  I'm Emily Ann Putzke, the author of  It Took a War. I'm a 19 year old Christian, homeschool graduate and history lover. Besides writing historical fiction I enjoy photography (especially photographing my nieces and nephews), reading, spending time with family, Civil War reenacting, traveling, and coffee. I really love coffee.

Everyone’s homeshooling experience is different. What do you think made yours unique?

I was given a lot of time to pursue my passion for writing. Of course I had to finish all my other subjects in the day, but my mom was very supportive of my writing and made sure I had time to do what I love. Also, we travel quite a bit so I did (and still do) a lot of writing on the go.

How did being homeschooled prepare you to write?

Growing up in a household of books was a jumpstart in my writing. Also, as I mentioned above, I had time to write. I’m not sure if I would have had the time or energy to write after being in school all day. I’m very thankful to have been homeschool and have time carved out for creating stories!

What caused you to start writing?

I’ve been writing since I was seven or eight. Stories and characters just fascinated me and I knew at a young age that I wanted to be an author. I filled up notebooks at a scandalous speed. =)

What inspired It Took a War?

I think the first spark came after a family trip to Gettysburg in 2012. How could I not be inspired after walking on those battlefields?! I came home with some story ideas and began the first draft of It Took a War. The plot changed drastically since then, but the characters are the same.

Would you give us a synopsis?

1861 - Sixteen year old Joe Roberts leads a mundane life as far as he’s concerned. His world spins in the same circle each day: working at his family’s store, taking his sisters on boyish escapades and bickering with his rogue of a cousin, Lucas. Joe can’t understand why his mother allows Lucas to live and work with them after all the pain he caused their family. When war is declared, Joe is quick to join up and become a soldier with the 11th Pennsylvania Volunteers, but war is nothing like he imagined. To make matters worse, he must endure having Lucas in the same regiment. Can Joe put the pain of the past behind him? Forgiveness is easier said than done.

Who will enjoy It took a War?

I would say ages 10+.

Do you plan to write more books?

Yes I do! I’m working on a novel about Hans and Sophie Scholl, resistance leaders in Nazi Germany. I’m hoping to publish that in 2016. My friend and I are also publishing a story we wrote together called Ain’t We Got Fun. The story is set during the Great Depression and it’s letters exchanged between two sisters, Gi and Bess. That will be available this summer.

Where can people connect with you online (social media, websites, blog)?

It Took a War is available on Amazon in paperback, kindle, or audiobook. You can follow my adventures in authorship on my Blog, Facebook, Goodreads , Pinterest, and Instagram. I also created a free study guide to accompany my book which you can find HERE.

Do you have any final thoughts?

Thanks again for hosting me on Homeshool Authors! I hope you all enjoy It Took a War!