Trading Hearts in Colonial Courtships
Amber Stockton

I’m adding this brief guest blog to share a bit more about the writing of this novella. The majority of writers out there is going to groan or want to throw bricks at me, but I sat down on Friday evening to type the first word, and I finished Sunday night, a little after midnight, of the same weekend. Yes, I admit it. I wrote this novella (20,000 words) in a little under 3 days. I had 2 editors critique each chapter immediately after I completed it, so in that time, I went back to make revisions while continuing to write new chapters.

Now, before your jaw drops or you feel complete disgust as my ability to write that fast, let’s do a little rewind.

This novella was due in the middle of two other deadlines for full-length novels, so I couldn’t afford to dilly-dally in getting it done. I also have two little ones under the age of 4 underfoot, so my available time is precious already. At the time, the kids were 6 months and 2-1/2. You can imagine the time demands they placed upon me. While this time is rewarding and full of tremendous blessings, I can’t afford to put my writing career on hold to focus solely on my children. We wouldn’t be able to make ends meet without my writing income.

So, I must take advantage of every opportunity to write and make the most of it. The luxury to ponder my characters or my story, or meander my way through research until I land on just the right tidbit, simply isn’t mine right now. Praise God for giving me the right keywords when I search. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to get the books done as fast as I do.

The other aspect that helps is not believing in writer’s block. Again, I can’t afford to get stuck, so when the story isn’t flowing, or when I’m not liking how the scene is playing out, I make a note in that spot, then jump ahead to another scenes that flows better. That’s right. I usually write my books out of order then go back and piece them together. You likely would never be able to tell—or at least I hope you can’t—when you read the final version, but that’s thanks to my amazing editors who catch what I miss.

And there you have it. My confession of an exhausted mommy with little to no brain power left for writing once my children are done with me. It certainly wasn’t in *my* plan to be writing when my children are so young, but since the writing career came before the husband and children, I’ve had to change that original plan. One day I hope I will have a little more time to focus on my writing, but until then, I am making the most of the path God has me traveling right now and counting my blessings.

Colonial Courtships (my novella: Trading Hearts)

Jonathan Ingersoll is a successful merchant trader along the Great (Connecticut) River. When flooding forces him to take sanctuary in an unfamiliar inn along his route, he meets the innkeeper’s daughter, Clara Marie Preston. Immediately attracted to her shy, yet caring spirit and quiet faith, Jonathan makes a point to return. But animosity from her brother gives him pause. Learning the source of the resentment only spurs Jonathan to try that much harder to prove his worth. Doubts are cast upon his character, and his trade sales begin to decrease. When he tracks down the pirates who attacked Clara’s brother and sees justice served, things take a turn for the better. Finally, he can accept the full blessing for a union of marriage and make plans once more for the future.

Stealing Hearts (book 2 in Brandywine Brides)
When Grace Baxton comes face-to-face with the thief who broke into her uncle’s home, she isn’t prepared for meeting Andrew Bradenton—not a young boy out to cause trouble and no hardened criminal, either. The judge sentences Andrew Bradenton to work for the Baxton family, and being forced to see him almost daily, Grace struggles with forgiveness. Out of guilt, Andrew offers to help Grace search for an heirloom book. When a handsome stranger appears with the book in hand, warming Grace’s heart and finding favor with her uncle, Grace is torn over her growing attraction for both men. Andrew tries to prove the stranger is up to no good, but after key documents and money go missing from her uncle’s safe, Andrew is seen as the guilty party. Will Grace discover the truth in time?

To order go to www.amberstockton.com/books.html