Jane Myers Perrine’s new novel, The Matchmakers of Butternut Creek, two well-meaning matchmakers, nicknamed “The Widows” do their very best to find a suitable bride for their favorite pet project – Pastor Adam of the Butternut Creek Christian Church – and this time they just might have found the perfect woman for him.
Q: WHAT WERE YOUR GOALS WRITING THE MATCHMAKERS OF BUTTERNUT CREEK?
My main goal was to share my faith and inspire readers. I also wanted to write a book that would entertain readers as well. Humor is important to me so I added that to brighten the readers’ day.
Q: HOW DO YOU CHOOSE WHICH STORY TO WRITE?
I don’t believe I’ve ever really “chosen” a story. Ideas come to me all the time and I have a computer file of them. There’s usually one that feels more complete in my head, that draws me more, in which the characters seem interesting and motivated. That’s the one I write.
Q: WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES FROM THE STORY WHERE YOU DREW ELEMENTS FROM REAL LIFE?
My husband has been a minister for 40 years and served in big city churches and in small towns. Many of the stories come from our experiences. The Christmas tree in The Welcome Committee of Butternut Creek is based on what happened in the church in Dixon, MO. The runaway donkey in The Matchmakers of Butternut Creek is an expanded version of a similar experience in Burnet, TX. The inspiration for Miss Birdie, the woman who runs the church, comes from several sources, none of which I’ll name, but I’ve know a few Miss Birdies. And I’ve had a car like the clunker Rev. Jordan drives.
Q: IN YOUR NEW NOVEL, WHO IS THE CHARACTER IN THIS STORY WHO SURPRISED YOU MOST?
In the first book of the Butternut Creek series, Adam Jordan takes in a homeless brother and sister, Hector and Janey Firestone. With each book, Janey grows. In the third book of the series, The Wedding Planners of Butternut Creek, Janey becomes the healing catalyst for Adam’s sister. I didn’t expect that at all but it works beautifully.
Q: WHAT PROJECTS ARE YOU WORKING ON NOW?
I’m taking a break for a few weeks. I just finished the first round of edits for The Wedding Planners (available November 2013) and have done promo for all the books. I’ve started the fourth book set in Butternut Creek and am looking over old projects which I might e-publish. I also blog regularly … I’ve found writing a short reflection or sharing a funny or inspirational experience to be lots of fun.