A rural Iowa baby boomer, Gail Kittleson appeared at her childhood library every Saturday to haul home a new pile of books. Writing became a joy, but she kept it to herself. Later, she graduated from Wartburg College and earned her MA in teaching English as a second language.
After missionary work in North Africa, Gail taught English as a second language and college expository writing. She and her retired Army Chaplain husband of forty-four years live in North Iowa where they enjoy grandchildren, gardening, and historical research.
Dare To Bloom, Gail’s website, comes by its name honestly—it took time to acquire the courage to put her writing “out there.” Eventually, her memoir developed, which led to writing World War II fiction. Her Women of the Heartland brand honors the era’s make-do women and men. Gail enjoys hosting other authors on her Author Visits page and loves encouraging writers through her workshops and retreats.
Land that I Love
Set in the German Hill Country of Texas during World War II, Land That I Love is a sweeping literary novel of love and loss; friendship and animosity; fathers and sons; and coping during times of war and peace. Yet it is more than a love story. It is about the racism and bigotry that still exist in our world. As author Gail Kittleson's characters struggle with the problems of everyday life, they teach us that we survive hard times by being good neighbors despite our differences and that hatred can be conquered by love, understanding, and forgiveness.
- ISBN: 1952474841
- Publisher: WordCrafts Press
Interview with Gail Kittleson
Gail Kittleson knew she wanted to be a writer from the time she was teenager. Over the years, she has completed a variety of projects. The era that inspires her most is World War II. She shares about how that era speaks to her, the way she creates her stories, and her favorite quote of all time. Hint: it was spoken by a famous World War II statesman.
* * * * *
Congratulations on the publication of your book, Land That I Love! What drew you to writing fiction?
After encouraging college students in their writing and writing memoir myself, I worked through The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. What a powerful book! During that period, my first character came to me—a WWII woman who had lost her son in North Africa. She captured my imagination, and I began to write her story. I’ve been hooked ever since.
What is your favorite part of writing a novel?
That’s a tough one, because I even like the editing. But maybe the “magic” of having the character whisper her/his story in my ear is my favorite part.
You write primarily World War II fiction. What about this era inspires you?
People gave their all for a cause greater than themselves. They worked together with a make-do attitude until the gargantuan task was finished. Their ingenuity shone in the midst of tangible needs at every turn, and despite danger, discouragement, and sometimes despair, they still did their best. I feel we cannot honor them enough.
What is the most unique thing you have done in the name of research?
A few months ago, I visited the setting of Land That I Love in Texas Hill Country. There, the rancher who now owns the ghost town I wrote about gave me a thorough tour of the small town founded by tenacious German pioneers in the 1800s. History came alive for me—both the World War II era and the pioneer period nearly a hundred years earlier.
Where do you find your ideas?
My ideas come through researching the history of the time. I discover my characters’ experiences by learning what occurred in the area where they lived, and in the world at large.
What message do you hope readers will take away from this book?
One fact I learned: some German-American citizens suffered mistreatment from the wartime government. We often hear about this occurring with Japanese-American citizens or those of Italian background, but not German Americans. Wartime tension can cause great inequities, and though this did not occur in the Hill Country, it did in the upper Midwest and the Northeast. So in Land That I Love, a secondary character’s close relative goes through this experience.
How did your writing journey begin?
As a teen, I knew I was meant to write. I did write a few magazine articles, some poetry, and an English-As-A-Second Language workbook, but it took decades to develop the confidence required to seek publication in memoir and fiction.
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
From earlier questions, you probably realize I’m a pantser, guided by the whispers of my character. Who knows why characters rather than plots come to me first? I acknowledge that this has gotten me into trouble—at times I have spent way too much effort going back through a manuscript to make sure the timeline is correct, because those “whispers” became a bit overwhelming. But I still cherish those moments of sitting there typing, so immersed in my character’s pain that tears stream down my face.
You have a list of inspiring quotes on your website. What is your all-time-favorite inspirational quote?
For the World War II era, I love the Winston Churchill quote, “This is not a time for ease and comfort. It is time to dare and endure.” Don’t you love it when a concept from the past applies to us in some of our present struggles?
______________________
Jody Stinson believes every story deserves a happy ending—even if she has to write one herself. After an international upbringing, she continues to travel whenever she can. Her goal is to take her readers somewhere new, make them smile, and give them hope through Christ. She currently writes freelance including articles, devotionals, commercials, and even a client's wedding toast.
* * * * *
Congratulations on the publication of your book, Land That I Love! What drew you to writing fiction?
After encouraging college students in their writing and writing memoir myself, I worked through The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. What a powerful book! During that period, my first character came to me—a WWII woman who had lost her son in North Africa. She captured my imagination, and I began to write her story. I’ve been hooked ever since.
What is your favorite part of writing a novel?
That’s a tough one, because I even like the editing. But maybe the “magic” of having the character whisper her/his story in my ear is my favorite part.
You write primarily World War II fiction. What about this era inspires you?
People gave their all for a cause greater than themselves. They worked together with a make-do attitude until the gargantuan task was finished. Their ingenuity shone in the midst of tangible needs at every turn, and despite danger, discouragement, and sometimes despair, they still did their best. I feel we cannot honor them enough.
What is the most unique thing you have done in the name of research?
A few months ago, I visited the setting of Land That I Love in Texas Hill Country. There, the rancher who now owns the ghost town I wrote about gave me a thorough tour of the small town founded by tenacious German pioneers in the 1800s. History came alive for me—both the World War II era and the pioneer period nearly a hundred years earlier.
Where do you find your ideas?
My ideas come through researching the history of the time. I discover my characters’ experiences by learning what occurred in the area where they lived, and in the world at large.
What message do you hope readers will take away from this book?
One fact I learned: some German-American citizens suffered mistreatment from the wartime government. We often hear about this occurring with Japanese-American citizens or those of Italian background, but not German Americans. Wartime tension can cause great inequities, and though this did not occur in the Hill Country, it did in the upper Midwest and the Northeast. So in Land That I Love, a secondary character’s close relative goes through this experience.
How did your writing journey begin?
As a teen, I knew I was meant to write. I did write a few magazine articles, some poetry, and an English-As-A-Second Language workbook, but it took decades to develop the confidence required to seek publication in memoir and fiction.
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
From earlier questions, you probably realize I’m a pantser, guided by the whispers of my character. Who knows why characters rather than plots come to me first? I acknowledge that this has gotten me into trouble—at times I have spent way too much effort going back through a manuscript to make sure the timeline is correct, because those “whispers” became a bit overwhelming. But I still cherish those moments of sitting there typing, so immersed in my character’s pain that tears stream down my face.
You have a list of inspiring quotes on your website. What is your all-time-favorite inspirational quote?
For the World War II era, I love the Winston Churchill quote, “This is not a time for ease and comfort. It is time to dare and endure.” Don’t you love it when a concept from the past applies to us in some of our present struggles?
______________________
Jody Stinson believes every story deserves a happy ending—even if she has to write one herself. After an international upbringing, she continues to travel whenever she can. Her goal is to take her readers somewhere new, make them smile, and give them hope through Christ. She currently writes freelance including articles, devotionals, commercials, and even a client's wedding toast.
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