Today, I would like to welcome Tristi Pinkston on her Blog Tour for her latest novel, Season of Sacrifice.

Welcome Tristi! I’m so glad you could stop by on your blog tour.

Thank you for having me. I appreciate it.

Your newest novel, Season of Sacrifice, is a true story based on the life of your great-great-grandfather. What inspired you to begin writing a novel based on his life?

He really lived the most fascinating life. Things happened to him that a fiction novelist struggles to invent, yet, these events were all real.
When I read the family history books that contained his story, I knew I had to write a book about it.

How did you perform your research for this novel?

It was the easiest research I’ve ever done. Because my ancestor was something of a Utah celebrity, and because his accomplishments were so incredible, many books have been written on the subject, and my dad happened to own them. I called my dad, told him I wanted to write the book, and he passed on to me his books and another family history book I hadn’t read yet. I spent about eighty hours reading those books, and another eighty writing the book, and felt like I’d gotten off easy. Usually I spend much longer researching and writing, but because my dad had all the information in one place, I didn’t have to go hunt it down.
Hooray for dads!

How did you come up with the title for Season of Sacrifice?

Okay, I’m kind of weird with titles. I like three words in my titles, and I like the second word to be a connecting word. My first published book is “Nothing to Regret,” my second is “Strength to Endure,” now we have “Season of Sacrifice.” Other books I’ve written but haven’t yet sold are “Test of Time” and “Faith Beyond Fear.” I’m also reworking one called “Worlds without End.” I don’t know why I like my titles constructed like that — I’m just kinda weird, I guess. “Season of Sacrifice” came about because truly, these pioneers I wrote about sacrificed over and over again. The title really seemed to fit.

Do you have any other upcoming projects?

Right now I’m finishing up a comedy/mystery that’s unlike anything I’ve ever written. It’s a joy to write and I didn’t have to research anything until page 100. Given that I typically write historical fiction which involves massive amounts of research, that was new and different for me.
I’ve also got about twenty other story ideas that are kicking around in my head, so you’ll be seeing a lot from me.

How did you get your novels published?

First, I looked at what I wanted to write, and I decided that for me, LDS historical fiction was perfect. I went to the library and wrote down the names of all the LDS publishers on the shelf who publish LDS historical fiction. I sent out some manuscripts, got rejected a couple of times, then I had a bite that looked really good but didn’t come through. I went to bed and cried for about two hours, and then I got mad, went to an all night Kinko’s, and ran off enough copies to send to every other publisher on my list. A short time later, I heard from Granite, who published my first two novels (I self-published Season of Sacrifice with the help of a good friend, BJ Rowley.) I’m glad I didn’t stay in bed crying.

Who are your favorite authors and who has influenced your writing the most?

I absolutely love the old classics. I’ve read “Little Women” probably eight times and have seen every movie version ever made (the Winona Ryder version is the best) so I definitely claim Louisa May Alcott as one of those favorite writers. Gene Stratton-Porter, L.M. Montgomery, Dodie Smith, and Jan Karon are other favorites. Each of these have influenced my writing. My sentence construction is old-fashioned and I have to keep working on that. I’ve also been compared to Corrie Ten Boom, but I don’t know if I dare aspire to that honor.

When did you first become a writer?

I’ve been writing since the age of five. My first thrilling novel was about a little dog named Sue who wanted to be a ballerina. I illustrated it myself. Then I went into my depressing poetry and really bad fantasy phase, in my teens. But it wasn’t until I was twenty-two that I started writing seriously. That’s when I wrote “Nothing to Regret,” my first published novel.

Do you have a special place or a special time that you write?

Now, in my dream world, I have a gorgeous office where I write, and I’ve already decorated it in my mind. Cherry wood furniture, rose carpet, cream and rose wallpaper, and I even know what paintings will hang there.

Oh, you mean in real life. My “office” is a desk in the corner of my living room. I have four children and I homeschool, so I essentially have to be in the middle of things all the time. I tried putting my desk in my bedroom, but it was too tempting to just stay in there and never come out. I do the bulk of my writing after nine o’clock at night and up to around two am. The kids are asleep and it’s quiet.

What do you do when you aren’t writing?

I try to catch up on sleep . . . and I homeschool, write media reviews for Families.com, volunteer with the Cub Scouts, I own my own bath and beauty supply company, I love to scrapbook, watch good movies, and read good books.

And finally, what advice can you give for aspiring writers?

Sit down and do it. Stop second guessing yourself, just get it out on the page and stop talking about the book you’re going to write. Do it, and then talk about the book you’ve written. Read a lot, write a lot, and don’t be too prideful to accept criticism and make changes where needed.

Thanks Tristi, I’m so glad you could stop by! I wish you the best of luck with your new novel!

You are so very welcome. I’m glad I could be here.

Sarah Williams is a young Welsh immigrant, coming to Utah to join her sister Mary Ann Perkins. When the Perkins are asked to join the San Juan mission to pioneer a trail through Southern Utah, they take Sarah along to help care for the children. But a six-week journey turns into six agonizing months of hard work and toil as the Saints blast their way through a cliff to bring their wagons through what would become the famous Utah landmark “Hole in the Rock.”

Finally settled in the San Juan, Sarah’s true hardship begins when Ben Perkins asks her to be his second wife. With their faith and testimonies challenged to the core, both Sarah and Mary Ann struggle to find the true meaning of Christ-like love and obedience. Will they make it through?

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Filed under: interview, reading, writing