An Angel on Main Street Blog Tour

Hey everyone! Life has been crazy with school and National Novel Writer's Month in full swing, but I wanted to take a break to share about a great new book I read just in time for the Holidays!

AN ANGEL ON MAIN STREET by Kathi Oram Peterson is the story of eleven year old Micah Conners who has moved with his mom and his little sister, Annie to a new town following the death of his father in the Korean War. His mom is hoping to give Micah a new start in this small town, away from the influence of gambling that had gotten him in trouble in the big city. But old habits are not always easy to steer clear of, and when the sheriff finds Micah with a pain of dice and no way to explain it he decides to help set Micah straight. The problem is, Micah doesn't want help. He doesn't want the sheriff hanging around when his only goal this Christmas is to steal the baby Jesus from the mysterious manger that pops up in the middle of town. He truly believes that this is the only way to save his little sister from dying. With the help of a small community, a loving family, and maybe an angel or two, Micah learns that miracles can happen.

This was a sweet, fun read, that had me laughing and crying. It was the perfect book to fill the space that sometimes gets overlooked as the busy holiday season starts. I got a chance to ask a few questions of the author and here is what she had to say:

Me: You grew up in a small Idaho town. How much did that inspire this story, the characters, and the setting?

Kathi Oram Peterson: My upbringing inspired the story immensely. Let me give you a few examples. My father owned a store on Main Street and my family lived in the apartment above. When I was only five, my mother had a heart attack while washing my hair. I remember calling to her, hair dripping, wondering what was wrong. I remember watching my father carry her down the apartment stairs to the car that took her to the hospital. I was very frightened I would never see her again. Many times I would stare down on the street below from our apartment wondering if she would be all right. My father worked part-time for the police department. I often went with him at night as he checked store doors, making certain they were locked. If you've read my book, you can see how I used memories of these experiences and morphed them into events and characters in my book. The characters are not based on one person, but a collection of people--real and fictional. The setting--my hometown of Rigby--was a great influence of good for this book.

Me: This book is about miracles. Have there been any miracles in your life that helped with or prompted this story idea?

KOP: I remember once talking with a friend of mine who said she didn't believe in miracles. I felt sorry for her. Miracles are all around us, but not everyone sees them. Yes, I've had miracles in my life. I keep them close to my heart. However, the miracle in my book was inspired by my mother. As I mentioned before when I was little she suffered a heart attack and was in the hospital for many weeks. When she came home she shared with our family a very sacred experience, which left no doubt in her mind or ours that there was life after death.

Me: You got an English Degree from the University of Utah. I have recently gone back to school and am debating different degrees. Do you think an English degree helped or hindered your writing? Why?

KOP: Good for you, going back to school!!! It's tough, but well worth the sacrifice. And my answer to your question is...I believe it helped my writing. Not in the way my critique group does, but in a broader more in-depth scope (I highly recommend critique groups for novelists). For an English degree you have to read a ton of English novels, which is good. The best way to become a good writer is to read and read a lot. An English degree also requires you to write a great deal. A serious writer will try to write every day. My English classes helped me hone my writing to meet the teachers demands. Learning to deliver what a teacher expects helps a writer deliver what readers expect in a story. I recommend checking into what the college offers in a Communications program as well. Weigh the two courses and see which will fill your needs the best.

Me: The relationship between Micah and his little sister, Annie, is touching. Do you have any brothers or sisters? If yes, did your interaction with them growing up help you to write this relationship?

KOP: I have three brothers and one sister. But my family is like two separate families since two brothers and my sister are much older than me and my little brother. There's been times when I've been going through troubles and my sister becomes very protective of me. My older brothers have always supported me in whatever I try to do. For the relationship between Micah and Annie I drew a lot from all my brothers and my sister, but especially from my little brother. We've stayed pretty close through the years. We talk to each other at least once a week.

Me: This book is set in a small town where everyone seems to know everyone, and in a time when people seemed more willing to help their neighbors. Do you have any suggestions on how we can get our lives back into that frame of mind, especially during the upcoming holiday season?

KOP: My answer is very simple. We need to focus on the Savior, make Him part of our daily lives. I know many will say that's very naïve because of the complex problems our world faces...but it really isn't. So much would change for the better if people would just ask themselves the question posed to Primary children...What would Jesus do?

Me: What made you want to become a writer?

KOP: I've always loved good stories. They take you out of your life and give you experiences you never could have imagine. But I never really thought of becoming a writer until after my first child was born. My mother and I read a lot of novels by Phyllis Whitney, Nora Lofts, Mary Stewart, and Jane Austin. One day as we were talking Mom told me she thought I should write a book. She planted the seed, and I've been trying to make it grow every since. I wish she were still alive to see my books published, but I know she knows ... and I can almost hear her squeal with joy.

AN ANGEL ON MAIN STREET is a great book for yourself or to give as a gift to someone you love. You can buy it at Deseret Book or Seagull Book. Or online at the following links:

http://deseretbook.com/item/5030490/An_Angel_on_Main_Street

http://www.seagullbook.com/lds-products-585064.html

http://www.amazon.com/Angel-Main-Street-Kathi-Peterson/dp/1598117211/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257785685&sr=1-1

Cascade Springs

There is nothing like the mountains in the fall. This year we were a little late, but we still caught a lot of great colors. I always love the drive up to Cascade Springs, and the beautiful walk that you can go on. The kids had a great time, watching the fish, finding leaves, and listening to the sound of the wind blowing leaves to the ground. I hate that fall is almost over, but it sure has been a beautiful one this year!

The Write Song

I love writing and I love music, so when I can mix the two then I am always happy. My problem is, there is not a wide range of music I can listen to while I am writing. There are songs that I listen to and then feel inspired to write, but actually writing to them distracts me. And then there is anything by The Killers. They are my muse, my great and ongoing inspiration. They make me want to write, and I can listen to them while I write and still concentrate on my writing. Last night my lovely husband took me to their concert.
It has been a while since I have been to a concert that wasn't at the SCERA SHELL...not that I am dissing the concerts I go to there. I am very fortunate to have my friend and Mother-in-Law, April, get us tickets to all sorts of fun concerts, but this was the first time since I got married 10 years ago that I have been to a big concert. I was so excited and it lived up to every expectation. D was a real trooper. He likes their music just fine, but he doesn't feel the need to listen to them constantly like I do.
The best part was when they sang READ MY MIND. That is my favorite song by them and it is the main inspiration for my novel AND THE SKY FULL OF STARS (BTW=still seeking representation for that one. I guess it would help if I sent it out to some people!!! Soccer has made me a slacker, but come October I am all over sending it out). Hearing that song live was awesome! The other best part of the evening was when they sang Bones. I had heard that song a few times, but it wasn't on my regularly listened to list. But hearing them sing it live, catching phrases I had never really paid attention to totally inspired me for my new novel endeavor (which I am calling ROOM FOR TWO for the time being). I wrote 5,000 words on it last week with a goal of adding 5,000 new words a week. Now after hearing that song I am inspired to write, write, write! SO I guess you could say I have found the write song!
So to Brandon and the rest of the boys I say thank you for a great concert, for songs that make me want to write, and music that makes me want to dance! And to my wonderful D, thanks for sitting through it all and letting me dance like a fool and not say anything about my stupid grin that would not go away except that it made you happy to see how happy I was. Last night was great baby, I love you! Now what? I think I will go write, better get my Killers music out!

Back to School!

So I went back to school. Yep, two nights a week you can find me in Spanish Fork taking English 2010 through UVU. I decided it best after ten years to only start with one class.
My first night I was extremely apprehensive. Would I be the oldest in the class? Would the teacher and I get along? What if nobody sat by me? What if me, a writer, didn't do a good enough job writing college English papers and discovered that I am not a writer after all? Needless to say I was all nerves. I left the house way to early, had to sit outside the classroom for 30 minutes waiting for the other class to end, and it really was beginning to look like no one was going to sit next to me. But lo and behold, things worked out--so far.
I like my teacher. I am not the oldest in the class, though I am up it the top percentage! People sit by me now, and work with me when we need to pick groups. Okay, I have only gone twice, but I am liking it. I am still nervous for those 6 research papers I get to do, but I like class. I like the ride to and from when I can sit and think without the distraction of Radio Disney and yelling children. I like getting to go and talk to adults, to share my opinions, and to be validated. Most of all, I like that I did it. I said I wanted to go back to school last year and I chickened out. But not this time. I am there, and I hope I am there to stay (at least until I finish that pesky degree!)

Lightning always comes before the thunder!

Which means that Lightning is first, number one, primo! Here at our house we think our own little Lightning star is number one as well. M has been learning there is a lot more to soccer than getting the ball, running down the whole field and scoring while leaving all the little girls in the dust. With this new team she is learning positions, how to work with a team, the endurance of playing on a bigger field, and that a game usually doesn't end 17-0. She has a great coach and a very talented group of girls that she has the privileged of playing with. She also has some great opportunities, such as training with an amazing trainer(and today we found out she gets to train with two amazing trainers because they want her to be backup goalie based on a scrimmage they had a few weeks ago that their goalie missed and M was put in the goal box for the first time ever and did amazing), playing in some major tournaments(her team took second place in the Sparta Cup--Utah's premier soccer tournament--loosing barely to the number one team in the state for their age division in double overtime), and attending her first REAL Salt Lake game(in which her team was picked to go out with the REAL team and stand for the national anthem check them out on this link ). She is also learning about dedication. She has to do daily drills and a daily workout as well as running each week. This takes planning and a lot of hard work. But she is loving it, and each time I see her play she gets a little bit better. I am so proud of my girl, she is a great example. Go Lightning!

M isn't the only soccer player in the family though. We got C's schedule today and it looks like Monday's will be taken up as well with her practices. That means we will be doing soccer everyday but Sunday for the month of September. C is a lot less competitive than M, but she shines in her own way because she gets the strategy of the game, and as she has been watching her older sister work out and practice she has been learning some new skills that I am sure will make her shine on the field this year.

And then there is little L. This will be his first year and we got his team schedule he will be playing with all of his little friends so it should be fun. There is no coach yet, I told them this soccer mom can't be the coach, but if it came down to it I could co-coach so who knows what will happen there. All I know is I will be able to say"Why Yes, I am a soccer mom" for sure by the time September ends! And in advance thanks to my mom and my Father-in-law who I will be calling on to help when I have to be at a game in Orem and Lehi at the same time two or three times a week! You guys are official Soccer Moms as well!

YARD SALE!!!

HEY EVERYONE!!! I am having a huge yard sale on Saturday at my house from 8am-12pm. There will be tons of baby clothes, both boy and girl up through pre-teen, some adult. A cars toddler bed, a bassinet, baby baths, over 70 rubber stamp sets, books, movies, maple cabinet, lady bug baby bouncer, book shelf, cd/record player, Double tandem stroller, jog stroller, printer inks, and so much more. If you are interested leave your e-mail and I will send my address. This is not one to miss!!! (Multi-family)

Happy Ten Years Baby!

Ten years ago today D and I were married in the Mount Timpanogos LDS Temple. We had picked a Thursday to be married on because we thought there wouldn't be as many weddings on that day. Well a pesky little tornado in SLC the day before changed that by closing down the Salt Lake Temple. So all brides who were to get married that day south of Salt Lake came down to Mount Timpanogos. The nice thing was however, that we had come to the temple the day before and taken all of our pictures so we only had to do family shots on the day of.
It has been a crazy 10 years! We have lived in 8 different places, 5 different cities, and 2 different states. We have been blessed with 3 beautiful babies, who fill our lives with joy. We have lived in apartments, a trailer, with family, and now our own beautiful home. We have made it through job changes, two degrees, and an emergency airplane landing. We have been there for one another through sickness, messy houses, screaming kids, broken down cars, never having any socks folded in the drawers :), and many other things. We have fought and cried, loved and laughed, and watched a lot of TV series (our nightly, kids in bed, wind down routine). And through it all the I LOVE YOU's have been there. So now I will say it once more. I LOVE YOU, DUSTIN. Happy Anniversary!