"The Forgotten Warrior" by Kathi Oram Peterson

Author blogVIEW
with Kathi Oram Peterson

Title: "The Forgotten Warrior" / Release Date: January 2009
Publisher: Covenant Communications Inc.
Website: http://www.kathiorampeterson.com/
Blog: http://www.kathiswritingnook.com/


What inspired you to write this book?
My son suggested I write about the stripling warriors. They have always been my heroes, so I was very open to the idea. Serving in Young Women's, I wanted the girls to realize they can be warriors, too. But since there are only four women mentioned in the Book of Mormon I created Sydney Morgan, a modern, sixteen-year-old young woman who has a black belt in karate. Of course, she has to travel back in time to help out the warriors.

What is your favorite chapter in the book and why?
That's a hard question to answer. I loved writing the scenes between Tarik (the hero) and Sydney (the protagonist), but I'd have to say Chapter 20--Two Best Fighters was my favorite. For this chapter I read and reread Helaman's letters to Moroni in the Book of Mormon. The love that man had for those boys framed his words. I only hope I did him justice as I wrote the scene of him trying to rally the stripling warriors to go to battle against a Lamanite army that outnumbered them.

Do you have other books you have written? If yes, what are they?
Yes. The sequel for The Forgotten Warrior is in my publisher's hands. I have a Christmas story due to come out in the fall of 2009 titled, An Angel on Main Street. It's set in the 1950's and the protagonist is Micah Connors, and eleven-year-old boy who has a great fear of death. His father died during the Korean war. His little sister, Annie, is very ill and Micah fears she will die. In the center of town a nativity begins to appear one piece at a time. Annie tells Micah that when the baby Jesus comes, he'll make her well. Micah fears his sister may die before Christmas, so he sets out on a quest to find the nativity maker and borrow the baby Jesus.

Is there a particular event that stands out to you that helped you become an author?
Maybe it was the night when I called an writer to get his advice. He pretty much told me off by saying, who did I think I was trying to write a book? If he thought he'd discouraged me, he was dead wrong. What is that saying... something about a woman scorn...anyway he only made me more determined.

Was there a person in your life who believed in you more than you believed in yourself? If so, who was that person?
My husband, Bruce. When I'm discouraged, he lifts me up.

What advice would you give to writers wishing to have their works published?
I remember going to a writers conference in Denver. I was attending in a lecture where the author was talking about how she had sold the first book she'd ever written and had been publishing every since. I knew that lecture was not for me, so I left and in the reception area I found several well-known published authors. They, too, had bailed on the talk and told me the speaker was the exception. They had all received many rejections in their careers and said if you want it badly enough, if you're willing to take the criticism and rejections, and still remain determined to see your dream come true, you'll make it. They were right, so I'm more than happy to pass that advice on to others.

Who is your favorite author?

Francine Rivers

Do you have a quote that motivates you?
I received this saying for Christmas: "If there is ever a tomorrow when we're not together...there is something you must always remember...you are braver than you believe, stronger that you seem, and smarter than you think...but the most important thing is, even if we're apart, I'll always be with you." Signed, Winnie the Pooh (anyway that's what the plaque says).

Personal notes from Wendy:
Kathi, I really appreciated your advice to authors about being willing to keep writing and trying! I agree - If you want something badly enough, you'll find a way to make it happen. Thanks for the interview - good luck with your books.