Kendra Broekhuis is an author who lives in the city of Milwaukee. For her day job, she stays home with four of her children and drives them from one place to another in her minivan. She’s written, spoken on, and created non-fiction content for over a decade, and now she’s excited to be publishing two novels with WaterBrook, the first of which debuts March 2024. You can find most of her sarcastic ramblings and serious encouragement—including the grief of losing a baby at 33 weeks pregnant—in her newsletter and on social media. Kendra is so grateful for this wild turn in her writing career, and for the chance to continue doing something she truly enjoys. Through all the ups and downs of life and writing, Jesus has been frivolously kind.
Visit Kendra Broekhuis online
Between You and Us
Two Possible Lives to Live. One Impossible Choice to Make. When Leona Warlon heads across the city to meet her husband, David, for a rare dinner out, she hopes they can share a moment of relief after their year of loss. But this is no ordinary date night. Leona hasn’t just stepped into an upscale ristorante; she’s stepped into a different version of her life. One in which her marriage is no longer tender, in which her days are pressured by her powerful in-laws, and in which her precious baby girl lived. Now, Leona must weigh the bitter and sweet of both trajectories, facing an unimaginable choice. Should she stay in a world where tragedy hasn’t struck but where the meaningful life she built with David is gone? Or should she return to a reality filled with struggle and sorrow, but also deep and enduring love?
- ISBN: 0593600754
- Publisher: WaterBrook | Penguin Random House
Interview with Kendra Broekhuis
This is your debut fiction novel. How exciting! Some of the inspiration came from real life, so what message do you hope readers take away from this brand-new release?
I’m very excited to be releasing my debut!
The theme of grief in Between You and Us is based on what my husband and I went through after losing our baby girl nearly eight years ago—though our circumstances are different than the book’s storyline. That was a dark time for our family, and I remember being rushed by some to feel better and move on, while others gently walked with us as we worked through our sadness in God’s timing. In Between You and Us, readers get the message that it’s okay to lament life’s sorrows and ask their “what if” questions without the pressure to rush through the hurt.
I’m sure it’s not easy getting away from home with four young children underfoot, but what literary pilgrimages (if any) have you taken for book research? What was your favorite and what did you discover or learn?
Between You and Us is set in the city of Milwaukee where I live. Last summer I took my kids to the art museum because it’s the setting of a rather dramatic and Cinderella-esque scene in the book. I wanted to experience the unique architecture in person, and then enjoy the rest of the museum with my kids as long as they lasted. However, my five-year-old kept running ahead of us. I told her to stop running and asked her why she was running so much, and she said to me, “I’m looking for the room with all the buttons!”
She thought we were at the children’s museum down the road which does have a room full of buttons.
This pilgrimage was a reminder that, indeed, it is not easy hauling four young children on literary pilgrimages. But walking through room after room of creative artwork of all sizes, shapes, and colors gave me fresh eyes for the beauty that exists right where I live. Even in a city that often feels complicated.
You spent a lot of years in the non-fiction world with your blog, social media posts, and articles. How has writing full-length fiction differed from non-fiction and what have you learned?
In my rookie opinion, these are a few differences I’ve noticed so far:
• For fiction, I had to have an entire manuscript done before submitting it for publication, rather than just having a book proposal and a few sample chapters ready like in non-fiction. This made the time I put into fiction feel even more risky at first. The day I finished the first draft of Between You and Us, I sat in the dark staring at my computer for a minute, realizing I’d just spent eight months on a book that I didn’t know would go anywhere beyond the folder in my computer. I learned, though, that some risks are worth taking.
• Asking for feedback on a novel was harder to come by than nonfiction because I wanted beta readers who could commit to reading the entire book in order grasp the arc of the characters, plot, and themes. With nonfiction, it was easier to send a single chapter or section out to peers for feedback.
• A big fiction learning curve is to show the story instead of telling it. In nonfiction, content can be clearly preached, but in fiction I have to fight the urge to spend paragraphs dumping information that makes the story tedious to read.
What unites the two, however, is the importance of sharing our stories to help process the world, connect with others, and point to the love of Christ.
What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
A couple years ago, my kids started sleeping through the night and we had a little cash to spare, so I invested in both learning craft and connecting with other authors. I signed up for a fiction intensive taught by author Nicole Baart, paid for coaching by author Betsy St. Amant Haddox on the first chapters and book proposal synopsis of Between You and Us, joined two writers’ associations (including ACFW), and attended two writing conferences (including the 2023 ACFW conference in St. Louis.) For me, the best money spent will be on those two things—learning craft and connecting with other authors.
Also, snacks. Every author needs their favorite snack handy while they write.
You discovered your love of writing while serving in a school in Guatemala. That continued through your transition back to the U.S. and your time spent in the suburbs of Chicago as well as Milwaukee in the inner city. How have those experiences shaped your writing, and what was one defining moment that inspired something significant?
I don’t think I could pick one defining moment, but living outside the predominately white suburb I grew up in continues to teach me how much my viewpoint is shaped by my own upbringing and culture. While I pray my beliefs are shaped by Scripture alone, my point of view is one of billions, and I have so much to learn from other people and their unique experiences!
For example, I did a lot of “writing what I know” about grief in Between You and Us. But, there were other characters and storylines that needed a sensitivity reader—with expertise far beyond the realm of my knowledge—who could offer critical feedback.
As writers, we often must be careful of our word count. Sometimes, that means snipping bits of what we write during the revision process. That being said, what did you edit OUT of this book?
Between You and Us required some heavy editing, which included cutting out two entire chapters of backstory that were turned into dialogue. These cuts were necessary because they were written from a different point of view than the rest of the book. I hope to turn these deleted chapters into bonus material someday because they’re dramatic and juicy and I think readers would love seeing a few key moments from other characters’ points of view.
You have successfully diversified your writing with a speaking career and active presence online through social media and blogging. What takeaway do you hope attendees receive at the core of what you share?
I once wrote a vision statement for myself that said: My vision is to articulate experiences in a way that listeners will feel less alone in their humanity. I want the words I share to value honesty over image, neighbor over “followers,” Scripture over impulse, and the hope of Christ over despair.
I think that captures my core message no matter what it is I’m sharing about. Whether I’m on a stage speaking on grief or being a neighbor or minimalism, I want people to hear that God cares for them, and He wants us to care for each other.
If you had to do something differently as a child or teenager to become a better writer as an adult, what would you do?
My childhood served me well as an author because I have creative, driven parents who let me spend a lot of time reading books and drawing and writing plays as a kid. I also had three younger sisters who were kind enough to act out my plays with me. I’m not sure I would want to do something differently because getting to soak up stories or create from a place of joy versus a “have to” is a delight I wouldn’t want to sully! Maybe, though, I’d whisper to my younger self that her quirky imagination and inner-thought life and drive to create things weren’t parts of herself she should ever shy away from.
You have been on quite the rollercoaster ride through many highs and lows in both your spiritual and physical life. How do your faith and spiritual walk play out in your writing?
If there’s one thing I’ve learned through my own sorrows, it’s that our life’s wounds need space to grieve, as grief reminds us why we need the hope of Jesus in the first place. Scripture uses the language of lament in many places, which shows us that our faith in God allows us to honestly bring our sorrows to Him. He doesn’t tell us we have to pretend that death and sickness and grief don’t hurt just because we’re Christians. I try to show that in my writing by allowing my characters to grieve or be honest about the trials they’re facing without having to tie a pretty bow on their story every time.
My faith also compels me to believe in the power of community. While friends can’t change our circumstances, they can act as the hands and feet of Jesus to sustain us through hard times. I think that’s the church at its best. For that reason, I want my writing to explore relationships—both the insufferable and somewhat magical—and how they impact us so deeply.
Finish this statement: In the future, I will…
Try to keep learning and creating, all for the glory of my Creator.
Anything extra you’d like to add?
I hope readers will find Leona’s story in Between You and Us to be thought-provoking, meaningful, and also entertaining!
Thanks for sharing with us, Kendra!
_____________________________________________________
"Tiffany Amber Stockton has been crafting and embellishing stories since childhood, when she was accused of having an active imagination and a flair for the dramatic. Today, she has honed those skills to become an award-winning author and speaker who works as a homeschool mom and independent contractor, helping others become their best from the inside out. She lives with her husband and fellow author, Stuart Vaughn Stockton, in Kentucky. They have a daughter and son, and 2 cats. She has sold over 25 books so far, three of which have won annual reader's choice awards. She is represented by Tamela Murray of the Steve Laube Agency. (www.tiffanyamberstockton.com)
"
I’m very excited to be releasing my debut!
The theme of grief in Between You and Us is based on what my husband and I went through after losing our baby girl nearly eight years ago—though our circumstances are different than the book’s storyline. That was a dark time for our family, and I remember being rushed by some to feel better and move on, while others gently walked with us as we worked through our sadness in God’s timing. In Between You and Us, readers get the message that it’s okay to lament life’s sorrows and ask their “what if” questions without the pressure to rush through the hurt.
I’m sure it’s not easy getting away from home with four young children underfoot, but what literary pilgrimages (if any) have you taken for book research? What was your favorite and what did you discover or learn?
Between You and Us is set in the city of Milwaukee where I live. Last summer I took my kids to the art museum because it’s the setting of a rather dramatic and Cinderella-esque scene in the book. I wanted to experience the unique architecture in person, and then enjoy the rest of the museum with my kids as long as they lasted. However, my five-year-old kept running ahead of us. I told her to stop running and asked her why she was running so much, and she said to me, “I’m looking for the room with all the buttons!”
She thought we were at the children’s museum down the road which does have a room full of buttons.
This pilgrimage was a reminder that, indeed, it is not easy hauling four young children on literary pilgrimages. But walking through room after room of creative artwork of all sizes, shapes, and colors gave me fresh eyes for the beauty that exists right where I live. Even in a city that often feels complicated.
You spent a lot of years in the non-fiction world with your blog, social media posts, and articles. How has writing full-length fiction differed from non-fiction and what have you learned?
In my rookie opinion, these are a few differences I’ve noticed so far:
• For fiction, I had to have an entire manuscript done before submitting it for publication, rather than just having a book proposal and a few sample chapters ready like in non-fiction. This made the time I put into fiction feel even more risky at first. The day I finished the first draft of Between You and Us, I sat in the dark staring at my computer for a minute, realizing I’d just spent eight months on a book that I didn’t know would go anywhere beyond the folder in my computer. I learned, though, that some risks are worth taking.
• Asking for feedback on a novel was harder to come by than nonfiction because I wanted beta readers who could commit to reading the entire book in order grasp the arc of the characters, plot, and themes. With nonfiction, it was easier to send a single chapter or section out to peers for feedback.
• A big fiction learning curve is to show the story instead of telling it. In nonfiction, content can be clearly preached, but in fiction I have to fight the urge to spend paragraphs dumping information that makes the story tedious to read.
What unites the two, however, is the importance of sharing our stories to help process the world, connect with others, and point to the love of Christ.
What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
A couple years ago, my kids started sleeping through the night and we had a little cash to spare, so I invested in both learning craft and connecting with other authors. I signed up for a fiction intensive taught by author Nicole Baart, paid for coaching by author Betsy St. Amant Haddox on the first chapters and book proposal synopsis of Between You and Us, joined two writers’ associations (including ACFW), and attended two writing conferences (including the 2023 ACFW conference in St. Louis.) For me, the best money spent will be on those two things—learning craft and connecting with other authors.
Also, snacks. Every author needs their favorite snack handy while they write.
You discovered your love of writing while serving in a school in Guatemala. That continued through your transition back to the U.S. and your time spent in the suburbs of Chicago as well as Milwaukee in the inner city. How have those experiences shaped your writing, and what was one defining moment that inspired something significant?
I don’t think I could pick one defining moment, but living outside the predominately white suburb I grew up in continues to teach me how much my viewpoint is shaped by my own upbringing and culture. While I pray my beliefs are shaped by Scripture alone, my point of view is one of billions, and I have so much to learn from other people and their unique experiences!
For example, I did a lot of “writing what I know” about grief in Between You and Us. But, there were other characters and storylines that needed a sensitivity reader—with expertise far beyond the realm of my knowledge—who could offer critical feedback.
As writers, we often must be careful of our word count. Sometimes, that means snipping bits of what we write during the revision process. That being said, what did you edit OUT of this book?
Between You and Us required some heavy editing, which included cutting out two entire chapters of backstory that were turned into dialogue. These cuts were necessary because they were written from a different point of view than the rest of the book. I hope to turn these deleted chapters into bonus material someday because they’re dramatic and juicy and I think readers would love seeing a few key moments from other characters’ points of view.
You have successfully diversified your writing with a speaking career and active presence online through social media and blogging. What takeaway do you hope attendees receive at the core of what you share?
I once wrote a vision statement for myself that said: My vision is to articulate experiences in a way that listeners will feel less alone in their humanity. I want the words I share to value honesty over image, neighbor over “followers,” Scripture over impulse, and the hope of Christ over despair.
I think that captures my core message no matter what it is I’m sharing about. Whether I’m on a stage speaking on grief or being a neighbor or minimalism, I want people to hear that God cares for them, and He wants us to care for each other.
If you had to do something differently as a child or teenager to become a better writer as an adult, what would you do?
My childhood served me well as an author because I have creative, driven parents who let me spend a lot of time reading books and drawing and writing plays as a kid. I also had three younger sisters who were kind enough to act out my plays with me. I’m not sure I would want to do something differently because getting to soak up stories or create from a place of joy versus a “have to” is a delight I wouldn’t want to sully! Maybe, though, I’d whisper to my younger self that her quirky imagination and inner-thought life and drive to create things weren’t parts of herself she should ever shy away from.
You have been on quite the rollercoaster ride through many highs and lows in both your spiritual and physical life. How do your faith and spiritual walk play out in your writing?
If there’s one thing I’ve learned through my own sorrows, it’s that our life’s wounds need space to grieve, as grief reminds us why we need the hope of Jesus in the first place. Scripture uses the language of lament in many places, which shows us that our faith in God allows us to honestly bring our sorrows to Him. He doesn’t tell us we have to pretend that death and sickness and grief don’t hurt just because we’re Christians. I try to show that in my writing by allowing my characters to grieve or be honest about the trials they’re facing without having to tie a pretty bow on their story every time.
My faith also compels me to believe in the power of community. While friends can’t change our circumstances, they can act as the hands and feet of Jesus to sustain us through hard times. I think that’s the church at its best. For that reason, I want my writing to explore relationships—both the insufferable and somewhat magical—and how they impact us so deeply.
Finish this statement: In the future, I will…
Try to keep learning and creating, all for the glory of my Creator.
Anything extra you’d like to add?
I hope readers will find Leona’s story in Between You and Us to be thought-provoking, meaningful, and also entertaining!
Thanks for sharing with us, Kendra!
_____________________________________________________
"Tiffany Amber Stockton has been crafting and embellishing stories since childhood, when she was accused of having an active imagination and a flair for the dramatic. Today, she has honed those skills to become an award-winning author and speaker who works as a homeschool mom and independent contractor, helping others become their best from the inside out. She lives with her husband and fellow author, Stuart Vaughn Stockton, in Kentucky. They have a daughter and son, and 2 cats. She has sold over 25 books so far, three of which have won annual reader's choice awards. She is represented by Tamela Murray of the Steve Laube Agency. (www.tiffanyamberstockton.com)
"
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