Katie Powner lives in rural Montana, where cows still outnumber people. She writes contemporary fiction about redemption, relationships, and finding the dirt road home. She is a mom to the third power (biological, adoptive, and foster) who loves Jesus, candy, and red shoes.
Visit Katie Powner online
Where the Blue Sky Begins
When confident and handsome Eric Larson is sent to a rural Montana town to work in the local branch of his uncle's financial company, he's determined to exceed everyone's expectations, earn a promotion, and be back in Seattle by the end of summer. Yet nothing could prepare him for the lessons this small town has in store.
At forty-six years old, eccentric and outspoken Eunice Parker has come to accept her terminal illness and has given herself one final goal: seek forgiveness from everyone on her bucket list before her time runs out. But it will take more courage than she can muster on her own.
After an accident pushes Eric and Eunice together, the unlikely pair is forced to spend more time with each other than either would like, which challenges their deepest prejudices and beliefs. As summer draws to a close, neither Eric nor Eunice is where they thought they would be, but they both wrestle with the same important question: What matters most when the end is near?
- ISBN: 0764240390
- Publisher: Bethany House
Interview with Katie Powner
Up-and-coming author Katie Powner loves Jesus, candy, and red shoes. A mother to her birth children and children of her heart, Katie has her hands full, but still makes time to serve others and spread the joy of the Lord wherever she goes. Her dream of being a published author came true in 2020, a bit of light during a stressful time.
Welcome, Katie! I’m thankful for this opportunity to interview you and get to know you better. Why don’t you start off by telling us something your readers don’t already know about you?
Most people don’t know that I have a strong and irrational aversion to white chocolate and a strong and irrational fear of earwigs.
A fear of earwigs—I totally understand, but an aversion to white chocolate? Well, I guess we all have our likes and dislikes that make us so unique. Speaking of unique, if you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
Yikes, that’s a tough question. I guess I would say the three things I want my life to represent are Joy, Service, and Faith.
That’s beautiful! What was your favorite book when you were a kid? Did it play any part in your writing style today?
I think it changed as I grew up, depending on my age. I loved The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles by Julie Andrews when I was young, which was replaced by A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith when I was a little older. I think every book I’ve ever read has played a part in my writing style today, but yes, I think specifically my favorite books.
What authors have most influenced your writing?
Wow, there are so many. Dale Cramer, Leif Enger, Chris Fabry, Susie Finkbeiner, Anne Lamott, Fredrik Backman, Deb Raney--they’ve all influenced my writing in one way or another.
I love that you have allowed the hard work of others to guide you on this journey to being an author. What book is currently on your bedside table?
This is Happiness by Niall Williams.
Is writing your full-time career? Or would you like it to be?
I do consider my writing to be a career, but no, it’s not full-time. I’m happy with it being part-time right now.
That’s great that you’re happy and content in the place God has you for now. Have you always wanted to be a writer, or is this a more recent ambition?
Yes. I had brief aspirations of being a naturalist who lived in the forest when I was in fifth grade, but other than that, I’ve only ever wanted to be a writer.
You are preparing for the release of your third book, but tell us about your first published book. What was the journey like?
My first published book was The Sowing Season in 2020. I’d had four novels rejected before that, but I had determined to keep writing a new book every year until I got a contract. For me, there was just no other option. Holding that first book in my hands was a real dream come true. As you can imagine, however, releasing a book in 2020 was difficult and stressful. I mean, everything in 2020 was difficult and stressful! But I was very blessed to be working with a publisher that gave me a ton of support.
When you’re working on a new story, what comes to mind first for you — the plot or the characters — and why?
The characters. I think it’s because I have to see them and know them before I know what they will do.
Can you share with us something about the book that isn’t in the blurb?
Well, the blurb focuses on the two main characters, Eric and Eunice, but I will tell you that there are some other really fun and quirky characters in this story, too. In fact, I would say that my favorite character in this book is not Eric or Eunice at all, but an old man named Bob.
I love quirky characters! Do one of the main characters hold a special place in your heart?
I would say Bob again, but I can’t tell you why because it would be a spoiler!
Absolutely no spoilers allowed! But would you tell us about a key challenge you faced when writing this book?
Honestly, the biggest challenge was finding time to make it happen. As I was writing this story, we had two foster babies under the age of two. They were brothers, and they had court-ordered visits with their parents three times a week at a place 30 minutes away. They also had three therapies a week between the two of them. Since we also have three kids of our own, it was a chaotic and busy time. The fact this book was ever completed is a testament to God’s faithfulness and the kindness and generosity of a friend of mine named Tammy who volunteered to do some of the never-ending driving.
You certainly had your hands full. And thank God for good friends. You’ve told us a challenge you faced, what was the highlight of writing this book? Tell us something that you really enjoyed.
I had a lot of fun putting a city slicker in a small rural town and making him stretch waaay outside his comfort zone!
That’s great. And it would certainly make for some interesting and humorous situations, I’m sure. If the readers are enjoying what they see here, where can readers find out more about you and your books?
Thank you for asking! The best place is www.katiepowner.com.
Before we go, do you have any current or upcoming projects you’d like to tell us about?
I am very happy to tell you I have another small-town contemporary novel releasing with Bethany House next year. It’s set in northern Montana, on the rugged and remote Hi-Line, and I’m really excited about it.
________________________________
Gina Holder is an indie author and stay-at-home mom. She’s had an infatuation with books for as long as she can remember. She loves sharing uplifting messages from God’s Word and introducing readers to new and new-to-them authors on her blog at http://storiesbygina.wordpress.com. When she’s not writing, Gina enjoys playing the piano, cooking, reading, watching Hallmark mysteries, and solving “escape room” puzzles. She’s been a member of ACFW for several years, and loves growing in her craft as an author. She published her debut novel in 2017. Gina lives in Colorado with her husband and daughter.
Welcome, Katie! I’m thankful for this opportunity to interview you and get to know you better. Why don’t you start off by telling us something your readers don’t already know about you?
Most people don’t know that I have a strong and irrational aversion to white chocolate and a strong and irrational fear of earwigs.
A fear of earwigs—I totally understand, but an aversion to white chocolate? Well, I guess we all have our likes and dislikes that make us so unique. Speaking of unique, if you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
Yikes, that’s a tough question. I guess I would say the three things I want my life to represent are Joy, Service, and Faith.
That’s beautiful! What was your favorite book when you were a kid? Did it play any part in your writing style today?
I think it changed as I grew up, depending on my age. I loved The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles by Julie Andrews when I was young, which was replaced by A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith when I was a little older. I think every book I’ve ever read has played a part in my writing style today, but yes, I think specifically my favorite books.
What authors have most influenced your writing?
Wow, there are so many. Dale Cramer, Leif Enger, Chris Fabry, Susie Finkbeiner, Anne Lamott, Fredrik Backman, Deb Raney--they’ve all influenced my writing in one way or another.
I love that you have allowed the hard work of others to guide you on this journey to being an author. What book is currently on your bedside table?
This is Happiness by Niall Williams.
Is writing your full-time career? Or would you like it to be?
I do consider my writing to be a career, but no, it’s not full-time. I’m happy with it being part-time right now.
That’s great that you’re happy and content in the place God has you for now. Have you always wanted to be a writer, or is this a more recent ambition?
Yes. I had brief aspirations of being a naturalist who lived in the forest when I was in fifth grade, but other than that, I’ve only ever wanted to be a writer.
You are preparing for the release of your third book, but tell us about your first published book. What was the journey like?
My first published book was The Sowing Season in 2020. I’d had four novels rejected before that, but I had determined to keep writing a new book every year until I got a contract. For me, there was just no other option. Holding that first book in my hands was a real dream come true. As you can imagine, however, releasing a book in 2020 was difficult and stressful. I mean, everything in 2020 was difficult and stressful! But I was very blessed to be working with a publisher that gave me a ton of support.
When you’re working on a new story, what comes to mind first for you — the plot or the characters — and why?
The characters. I think it’s because I have to see them and know them before I know what they will do.
Can you share with us something about the book that isn’t in the blurb?
Well, the blurb focuses on the two main characters, Eric and Eunice, but I will tell you that there are some other really fun and quirky characters in this story, too. In fact, I would say that my favorite character in this book is not Eric or Eunice at all, but an old man named Bob.
I love quirky characters! Do one of the main characters hold a special place in your heart?
I would say Bob again, but I can’t tell you why because it would be a spoiler!
Absolutely no spoilers allowed! But would you tell us about a key challenge you faced when writing this book?
Honestly, the biggest challenge was finding time to make it happen. As I was writing this story, we had two foster babies under the age of two. They were brothers, and they had court-ordered visits with their parents three times a week at a place 30 minutes away. They also had three therapies a week between the two of them. Since we also have three kids of our own, it was a chaotic and busy time. The fact this book was ever completed is a testament to God’s faithfulness and the kindness and generosity of a friend of mine named Tammy who volunteered to do some of the never-ending driving.
You certainly had your hands full. And thank God for good friends. You’ve told us a challenge you faced, what was the highlight of writing this book? Tell us something that you really enjoyed.
I had a lot of fun putting a city slicker in a small rural town and making him stretch waaay outside his comfort zone!
That’s great. And it would certainly make for some interesting and humorous situations, I’m sure. If the readers are enjoying what they see here, where can readers find out more about you and your books?
Thank you for asking! The best place is www.katiepowner.com.
Before we go, do you have any current or upcoming projects you’d like to tell us about?
I am very happy to tell you I have another small-town contemporary novel releasing with Bethany House next year. It’s set in northern Montana, on the rugged and remote Hi-Line, and I’m really excited about it.
________________________________
Gina Holder is an indie author and stay-at-home mom. She’s had an infatuation with books for as long as she can remember. She loves sharing uplifting messages from God’s Word and introducing readers to new and new-to-them authors on her blog at http://storiesbygina.wordpress.com. When she’s not writing, Gina enjoys playing the piano, cooking, reading, watching Hallmark mysteries, and solving “escape room” puzzles. She’s been a member of ACFW for several years, and loves growing in her craft as an author. She published her debut novel in 2017. Gina lives in Colorado with her husband and daughter.
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