As soon as I read Joanna’s answer to my first interview question . . .

I knew this is a woman I’d love to have some deep, meaningful discussions with over tea and scones — maybe with lemon curd or clotted cream.

Before we get to those questions, here’s a brief bio of Joanna Davidson Politano: Joanna is the award-winning author of Lady Jayne Disappears, A Rumored Fortune, Finding Lady Enderly, The Love Note, and A Midnight Dance. She loves tales that capture the colorful, exquisite details in ordinary lives and is eager to hear anyone’s story. She lives with her husband and their children in a house in the woods near Lake Michigan

What was your inspiration for writing in general—why did you choose writing?

It was the bullies. When I was in early elementary school, they were so terrible to those select few kids and I felt helpless to stop them. I had a quiet voice, but a really loud pencil, I discovered—I wrote those bullied kids into stories and made superheroes of them. (I may have, in my youthfulness, punished a few of the bullies in my stories, too.) I can’t explain how GOOD it felt to right those wrongs, even if it wasn’t in real life. When the stories ended up accidentally circulating the classroom, and they actually made a difference, I fell in love with storytelling—making up non-realities—as a way to artfully convey truth.

You wrote redemption stories that made a difference — even as a child! Goodness, I could just sit and process that one for hours. Perhaps you could do a children’s book of a child whose stories changed lives. Hmm.

What did you read as a child? Or, what did/do you read to your children?

As a kid, I read a lot of Nancy Drew for the puzzle factor and Roald Dahl to stretch my imagination. C.S. Lewis was pure inspiration, too. I find myself reading some of those same books to my kids, but I also choose books that make us giggle. Even as my kids grow older, we return to silly picture books like the Piggy and Elephant collection for the delight of them.

I get it, sometimes you just need to laugh!

Who are your favorite authors to read & why?

Kristy Cambron writes with the most brilliant combination of historical research, epic family stories, heart and romance. I’ve loved all her books and respect and enjoy her talent!

Mimi Matthews can write micro-tension like no one else! Her books always keep me up late, and her smooth prose and impeccable research make for a seamless, delightful escape.

Thanks for some names to add to my TBR.

What do you hope the reader takes away from your latest release, The Lost Melody?

A sense of freedom within the constraints of circumstances. At some point we all find ourselves mired in a place we don’t want to be, trapped by someone else’s choices or by unforeseen events. We fight it, complain about it, then something happens and we settle into the season and maybe even realize this interruption was the point all along.

That our purpose and mission are found right in the midst of the place we never wanted to be. Or at the very least, that we can have a great deal of freedom within that difficulty. What freedom is available to God’s people, especially within their heart, no matter what’s going on around them.

Amen! So true. What’s that old saying? “Bloom where you’re planted.”?

By the way, here is the link to my 5 STAR REVIEW of The Lost Melody: https://youtu.be/26S6dMUBDAQ

Do you have any unusual research habits for your books?

I don’t know how unusual this is, but I love reading very old texts. Instead of reading books about the era I’m writing, I read the literature written then. I read Victorian novels and essays, and even a vineyard farming guide from the 1870s when I wrote a novel about vineyards. Most of what I read can be found for free in the public domain. I’ve printed off great reams of old scanned-in pages and poured over them with highlighters, watching my stories take shape.

Wow! I only know one other author who does that. She also listens to old radio broadcasts — she writes WWII historical. That’s dedication and it shows in your writing and stories.

What is the best writing tip you ever received? How was it helpful?

You can write about God, you can write for God, or you can write WITH God. (That comes from Allen Arnold, former publisher at Thomas Nelson and brilliant story coach.) What a paradigm shift! I had learned writing craft for years and made gradual improvement in the syntax and plot structure. But this idea changes everything. Once God invited me into this, and then Allen put words to it and explained practically how to do it, I dragged along everything else I’d learned and just camped out in this way of writing (and living).

A great place to land, Joanna!

A friend once asked me, “What are you passionate about? So passionate that you cry out and pound your fist on the table?” What is your pound-on-the-table passion?

Mine would be the deep value of each human. We all have traces of God in us, the same way we have DNA from both of our parents. I desperately want people to recognize the value in the people around them they might overlook or underestimate, the ones the world tends to pass over. To realize there’s a story behind who they are, and they only see a small fraction of it. More than that though, I want people to recognize the value in themselves, and to be courageous enough to act on it.

Beautiful! Thank you! I’m sure our readers will be inspired! And, now on to another inspiring bit of news!

The October’s Author Highlight Giveaway!

Yes! Thanks to Revell Publishing, this month’s giveaway is a copy of Joanna’s latest novel, The Lost Melody AND her novel, The Love Note! 

Isn’t this exciting! The winner will receive BOTH books! And you could be the winner? How? Well, by entering!* And you can enter up to six times (see below).* Leave a comment below and share this blog and if you haven’t already, please subscribe to this newsletter and receive two free gifts from me — and an extra entry.

NOTE: WANT TO INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING THIS INCREDIBLE GIVEAWAY?*

Check out my YouTube Author Highlight interview with Joanna. Because, in the video interview she will answer different questions–including some insights into her latest novel. Plus you don’t want to miss one very fun little known fact about Joanna.  By Liking and Commenting on the video episode, you will have one more entry.* Sharing the video, another entry.* Subscribe, and you have TWO entries for a chance to win.* 

The Deadline is October 13th!

Author Highlight with Terri & Joanna

That means, my friends, if you comment and subscribe -– or are already a subscriber -– to my blog, then watch the video and LIKE, SHARE, and COMMENT on the VIDEO, then Subscribe to my YouTube Channel, your name will be entered SIX TIMES!*

Be sure to tell your friends! See you there!

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed getting to know Joanna— I sure did!

Next month’s Author Highlight is the award-winning and bestselling author Tessa Afshar.

Thanks for stopping by! God bless and KEEP READING!