A Song of Home // Author Interview

Good morning, luvs!
(I've always wanted to start a blog post out like that, but it does sound a bit weird coming from me... I'm more of a "Hi Y'all!" or a "Good morning everyone!" type of girl.) 

Ahem. Anyways!

Today, I have a super special post to share with you! I'm doing a author interview with none other than Ryana Lynn! Learn more about Ryana on her website, Life of Heritage!

First off, I want to say congratulations on releasing you're forth book in a series, and also happy birthday, Ry!

About the Author: 
Ryana Lynn Miller has a unique way of blending her love for history with her love for the Savior. Her continued research is fueled by her desire for truth and details. Her main concern, both historically and Biblically, is to show the past to the present to secure the future.

About A Song of Home: 
In war time, everyone is called to fulfill their patriotic duty. But everyone's duty is not the same. For some, it's to soldier on the field of battle. For others, it is to stay back and defend the home front. Still others keep the soldiers clothed and cared for.
“We’re gonna finish this,” Seth murmured. “We’re gonna finish this fight once and for all. They can’t just come in and threaten a man’s family and livelihood just because they feel like it.”
“It’s a hard lesson to teach,” Silas interjected. “The Patriots were outmanned and outgunned, but they taught the redcoats right well. God’s will is most important, and God is the best Teacher. Sometimes He does it Himself, and other times He uses men to teach the lesson.”
Join the Mason family as another year of war dawns with no end in sight. Despair, hatred and death surround them...will they ever know a time of hope, love and peace again?

Bring your family along on another history packed journey full of battle, music, victory and defeat. The war ain't over ‘til the sabers quit clashing!

About the Series:

The Battle for Heritage Series (BHS) is an in-progress five book series on the War Between the States. Each book follows one year of the war, focusing on the Southern perspective. Unlike most books on this period, BHS does not focus on slavery but rather the reason the war was fought: the issue of states’ rights and the right of the people to restore the rightful government as designed by our forefathers. But even though this is important, this is not the main goal of BHS.

Every book includes a clear Gospel presentation, as well as other biblical topics designed to strengthen the believer and disciple the new convert. If you take nothing else from these stories, please take the lessons from Scripture to heart. If not, the goal is missed.

The series follows the Mason family, Silas and Ellen, and their children, Richard, Seth, Dixie, Michael, Thomas, and Virginia Rose, through the years 1861-1865. Having family on both sides allows the reader to discover viewpoints of both sides, though the story is focused on the South’s point of view. Having friends in the North and South, Ryana Lynn endeavors to keep things kind, while realistic and giving the facts.

BHS has reached people in a multitude of states, her best readerships being located in North Carolina, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Ohio. It is her prayer that someday, someone will come to know Christ through her writings. Her life verse, Jude 22, sums up her writing mission: “And of some, have compassion, making a difference.” 

Now on to the interview...

1. What makes A Song of Home different than the rest or your books that you’ve written? 

Well, that's hard to say...it's part of a series, so it has the same cast and setting, just a new year. I suppose one thing that makes it different is that I've had to skirt around so historical facts to keep the story family-friendly. Not tweaking the facts, just skipping them. I do not need angry mothers chasing me down the road with sticks ;)

2. Was the writing process for A Song of Home smooth, or did it take you awhile to complete? 

This book took me quite a while! It' was supposed to come out Spring of 2019...here we are a year after it was supposed to be in the hands of readers. There were major rewrites done January of this year and TBH, it's so much better than my original ideas...though I kinda miss my original ending XP

3. What is your favorite character in this book? 

My favorite character would have to be Burdy. He always takes that place, lol! I mean, who doesn't love a sweet lil orphaned drummer boy? Come on! Coming in at a close second is Alvin Willis, my sergeant, and resident heartbreaker. Just... read the book, you'll understand.

4. What is the main message you would like your readers to receive after finishing A Song of Home?

Well, as with all my books, I hope someone will take note of the Salvation message in the book and come to know Christ as their personal Savior. But I also hope it awakens people to duty. Christian duty. The duty to protect and defend your families and country. The duty of maybe being called to watch over the home front. The duty of women as the ones holding things together at home. Just do your duty before God and you'll never go wrong.

5. What are three fun facts about this book? 

Ooh, three fun facts! Okay...So for one, originally in this story, the ending was way different...it ended with a wedding. But because of circumstances beyond my control, that changed. Number two, two of my characters that come in contact with each other in this book (who do not know each other) have come in contact with each other before! Let's see if anyone can figure it out before it gets revealed in book 5! And for a third fact...this was the first book in which I placed one of my characters in a position where he did something a historical person actually did. But this person's identity is unknown. So I made note of it in the back of the book to avoid confusion.

6. What is one word of advice to new authors or aspiring authors? 

Do your research. Read books about your topic, making sure you have your details correct, especially historical dates and names. If you take liberties, you better explain why you did it or your readers will lose faith in you. That why I noted that my fictional character was filling the position of a real unknown hero. I don't want them to lose their trust in me telling them the truth about history. Also, read books about writing, like Did God Put a Book in You by Jerry Ross, Go Teen Writer: Edit Your Novel by Williamson and Merrill (I don't agree with all their examples) and Outlining your Novel by K. M. Weiland (Also don't agree with all examples.) These are invaluable and are worth the investment!

One more thing... limit your cast of characters (Something I am still working on, lol!) and make character sketches of them! Figure out their personalities and what makes them different from each other. Your editors will thank you!

And above all, pray and ask God for guidance. While I would never say God spoke the words of my book through me, He has certainly guided me in the process and allowed my imagination to figure out the plot puzzles. Include Him in your process, you won't regret it!

7. What first prompted this story? 

Well, this series was prompted by a desire to tell the true story of the War Between the States. Many are confused about basic facts and I wanted to set the record straight. So, I decided to write them for myself! Then, I felt God prompting me to share them with others. This book has a strong attachment to music and that came from my love for 1800s music. Civil War folk songs are some of my favorites, and almost every chapter of this book has a line from a song proceeding the story. I wanted to share this fading music with everyone! This book covers the year of 1864...just one book left in the series! Kinda intimidating when you think about it.

Thank you so much for hosting me, Brooklyne!

And thank YOU, Ryana, for letting me be apart of your book tour! <3

Also, the giveaway is for E-copies of all 4 books in The Battle for Heritage Series for 1 recipient, open to international participants!! So what are you waiting for?!

Have you read any of Ryana's books? What's your favorite time in history to read about? Comment below!

Many Blessings,

Brooklyne Elysse