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Adoption,  Author Interview,  Giveaway,  Hope-filled Fiction

Michelle Shocklee: Smoky Mountains, Adoption, Midwives & More

November 22, 2023 / 63 Comments

Help me welcome back Historical Fiction author, Michelle Shocklee. I’m excited for you to hear about Michelle’s recent release, Appalachian Song. She’s giving away a paperback copy, so be sure to scroll to the bottom of this post and leave a comment by Tuesday, November 28, for your chance to win!

I’m thrilled to have you back on the blog, Michelle. Please tell everyone a little about yourself and your family.

I’ve been married to my college sweetheart for nearly 37 years. We have two grown sons and two beautiful soon-to-be daughters-in-law! After the boys left home, my husband and I moved to Tennessee where we work as Estate Caretakers. 

I love Tennessee! Let’s talk about your writing. How and when did you start?

I’ve always been a writer. Even as a young girl, I wrote stories, letters, and kept a diary. I attempted my first novel when I was in my mid-20s, but I knew nothing of writing novels. It was awful. Loooong and awful. But it opened my mind up to the possibility of actually doing this writing gig. I began attending writers’ conferences, joined American Christian Fiction Writers, and wrote many more books before my first novel was published in 2017. 

Your perseverance is inspiring. What genre do you write and what motivated you to write that particular genre? 

I write historical fiction because I am obsessed with history. I believe there are lessons to be learned by studying history, with the hope of not making the same mistakes as the people who came before us. My novel Under the Tulip Tree was my first split-time story, using two different historical time periods, and I confess I absolutely loved the process and research that went into it. For now, I will continue to write split-time historical novels, including my latest, Appalachian Song.  

I LOVED Under the Tulip Tree and look forward to reading your new book. Share with us how you incorporate Christ and hope into your writing.

As a Bible-believing Christian, Jesus Christ is part of me, so I don’t want to write stories that leave him out. But I also don’t want to write a sermon under the guise of fiction. What I try to do is take my characters on a faith journey—the same type of journey that you and I are on. Some will be farther ahead, like Rubie in Appalachian Song, while others, like Songbird, are just starting out. 

Perfect. Is Appalachian Song inspired by true events or personal history? 

The idea for Appalachian Song developed after I visited the 150+ year old cabin that once belonged to the Walker family of the Great Smoky Mountains. Five of the eleven Walker children—five sisters, to be specific—lived in the cabin their entire lives. While Appalachian Song is not based on the Walker Sisters lives, Bertie and her siblings are inspired by the Walkers. 

What is the setting of your current novel? Is it a real location or fictional? Tell us about it.

The Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee have become a favorite of mine. As a girl who grew up in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains in New Mexico, I didn’t think I’d love the Smokies as much as I do. After visiting the Walker Sisters cabin, located a few miles from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, I knew I wanted to set a novel there and explore life in the mountains, hills, and hollers of that part of Appalachia.

The old Walker cabin, a spring house, and a corncrib are all that remain of the homestead today, but I was able to bring it to life in my novel by studying photographs and reading first-hand stories of people who spent time there. 

Having grown up in Northwest Georgia, I vacationed in the Smoky Mountains with my family multiple times, and my husband and I spent our honeymoon in Gatlinburg. Such great memories. How do you tackle research for your novels?

Because I write historical fiction, research is the lifeblood of all my books. I spend several months immersed in research, from the setting to the era to what people ate and the clothes they wore. The study of photographs is also a huge part of my research, because I’m a visual learner and need to see things to fully understand the context and content of what I’ve just read. The goal is to describe the setting to readers in such a way that they feel they’re there or can see it in their mind’s eye rather than simply reading about a place. 

As a reader, it’s so much fun to travel to other places through fiction! How long, on average, does it take you to write a book?

It takes me a full year from the time I submit an idea for a book to my publisher to the wonderful day I write “The End.” I’ll spend the first couple months reading research books and collecting research materials. Highlighters and notebooks are my friends during that period. When I feel ready, I’ll start writing the book.

I don’t set daily word count goals, as that has never worked for me. Because I work full-time, my writing usually takes place on the weekend. I do write a synopsis for my publisher, which keeps me on track. There are still a lot of surprises along the way, but the synopsis helps me stay away from rabbit trails and detours that will more than likely be edited out later. 

It sounds like you have your process down to a science. That’s great. What is the premise of Appalachian Song?

Adoption is at the heart of this book, with the theme of “I choose you” running through each of the characters’ lives. I’m blessed to have many people in my life who’ve been touched through adoption—adoptees, adoptive parents and families, a birth mother—and watching them navigate the highs and lows has been a life-changing experience.

The beautiful truth is that adoption is God’s idea. He planned to adopt us into his family all along. Ephesians 1:5 says, “God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ.” That is what I hope to bring out through the pages of Appalachian Song as Songbird, Walker, Reese, and Bertie discover this truth. 

I have an adopted grandson, so your description makes me want to read your book even more. Which character in Appalachian Song was easiest for you to write and why? Which character presented the biggest challenge?

When my editor suggested I write a book about a midwife, I jumped at the opportunity. I thoroughly enjoyed developing the character of Bertie Jenkins, a midwife for her mountain community. Like most mountain midwives of that time, Bertie learned the practice from her mother, who learned it from her mother. It was great fun researching this storyline.

Songbird’s character was more challenging, because her story brings out the good, the bad, and the ugly of humanity. But hers is also a story of how God the Father becomes our Abba, or Papa, which is something I hope will resonate with each reader.  

What is one of your favorite quotes from Appalachian Song?

I think Bertie is exactly right when she tells Walker, “Family don’t always mean blood kin.” 

Amen! What’s next from you?

I just finished writing my next novel and it is now with my editors. In the coming months I’ll work on any changes they suggest, and they’ll work on the cover design, formatting, etc. It’s a split-time historical story, set on a Tennessee horse farm in the 1940s and 1970s. It deals with some heavy topics, as well as the effects from World War II and the Vietnam war on people here at home. This book doesn’t have an official title yet, but it will release in Fall 2024. 

I’m looking forward to this next book, as I’m sure many other readers are. Thanks so much for sharing on my blog this week, Michelle. I pray God will continue to bless you and your writing.

For a chance to win a paperback of Appalachian Song by @shellshocklee visit her interview on my blog and leave a comment by 11/28. (US winner only) #amreading #historicalfiction

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Join the conversation. Have you ever visited The Great Smoky Mountains? Do you like books centered around adoption? Does Michelle’s book sound like a story you’d enjoy? What comments or questions do you have for Michelle?

Be sure to comment below by Nov. 28 for a chance to win a paperback of Appalachian Song. (US winner only)

Appalachian Song by Michelle Shocklee

Click the book cover for purchase link

Bertie Jenkins has spent forty years serving as a midwife for her community in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. Out of all the mothers she’s tended, none affects her more than the young teenager who shows up on her doorstep, injured, afraid, and expecting, one warm June day in 1943. As Bertie and her four sisters tenderly nurture Songbird back to health, the bond between the childless midwife and the motherless teen grows strong. But soon Songbird is forced to make a heartbreaking decision that will tear this little family apart.

Thirty years later, the day after his father’s funeral, Walker Wylie is stunned to learn he was adopted as an infant. The famous country singer enlists the help of adoption advocate Reese Chandler in the hopes of learning why he was abandoned by his birth parents. With the only clue he has in hand, Walker and Reese head deep into the Appalachian Mountains to track down Bertie Jenkins, the midwife who holds the secrets to Walker’s past.

Michelle Shocklee is the author of several historical novels, including Count the Nights by Stars, winner of the 2023 Christianity Today Book Award in Fiction, and Under the Tulip Tree, a Christy Award and Selah Award finalist. Her work has been featured in numerous Chicken Soup for the Soul books, magazines, and blogs. Married to her college sweetheart and the mother of two grown sons, Michelle makes her home in Tennessee, not far from the historical sites she writes about.

Connect with Michelle through her Website.

Please share Michelle’s interview on social media to help spread the word about her new book!

Check out these interviews with E.B. Roshan, Aminata Coote, and Johanna Rojas Vann.

As a Jesus girl for more than thirty years, Deena Adams understands how important hope is to daily life, which fuels her passion to inspire others through hope-filled fiction based on true to life stories. She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency and is a multi-award-winning writer, an active ACFW member, and ACFW Virginia president. Connect with Deena through her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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63 Comments

  • Linda H
    November 26, 2023 at 9:07 pm Reply

    Love time split novels and am so glad you are writing them! Checking out Under the Tulip Tree now. A story set in the Smokies sounds wonderful.

    –Linda

  • Phyllis R
    November 25, 2023 at 9:38 pm Reply

    I was fortunate to read a NetGalley copy of this exceptional story. I am a sucker for a southern story with Appalachian in the title! (Alabama girl here) The themes and redemptive thread just had my heart. I am not adopted but my grandmother was so the questions and feelings of the child and mother helped me understand some of her experiences. I also loved the way the timeframes seamlessly wove together. That made it so easy to follow and I had no clue how this story was going to end. Well done, Michelle. Thank you for this beautiful story.

  • Katy Lee
    November 25, 2023 at 6:22 pm Reply

    I love the premise of this book so much. I adopted my daughter after fostering her 18 years ago. I also love TN. ❤️ Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy. I appreciate it. I’m intrigued about the role of being a caretaker. I do something similar in Utah where my husband and I are house parents for 12 high schoolers from around the world for a Christian school.

    • Deena Adams
      November 25, 2023 at 8:06 pm Reply

      Hi, Katy. I have such high regard for foster and adoptive parents. How cool that you and your hubby are house parents. Thank you for your generous heart for children. May God bless you and your family!

    • Michelle Shocklee
      November 26, 2023 at 2:40 pm Reply

      Hi Katy,

      A very special young man in my life was adopted by a loving couple after fostering him. God bless you for opening your heart and home to your sweet girl.

      My husband and I work for a private family, but we have friends who have been house parents. Such an important job!

  • Vickie
    November 25, 2023 at 4:30 pm Reply

    I love historical fiction. This book sounds like such a good read with characters that are guided by their faith…as they know it. Each person is on their own journey, but also a part of the journeys of the other characters.

  • Kelly Criste Goshorn
    November 25, 2023 at 12:33 pm Reply

    I’ve enjoyed Michelle’s other books and this one sounds fantastic, as well. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy.

  • Heidi
    November 24, 2023 at 6:38 pm Reply

    I enjoyed reading about Michelle’s writing process. I haven’t visited the Smoky Mountains…yet! Beautiful cover, beautiful topic of adoption.

    • Michelle Shocklee
      November 25, 2023 at 11:15 am Reply

      Heidi,

      Thank you! I think the Tyndale House design team did a marvelous job capturing Songbird for the cover. I hope you can make it the Great Smoky Mountains someday. They’re truly glorious.

      ~Michelle

  • Michelle Shocklee
    November 23, 2023 at 9:20 am Reply

    Hello, everyone!

    Happy Thanksgiving! As we count our blessings today (and every day!) I’m grateful for all of you! Thank you, Deena, for having me on the blog. Appalachian Song is a story about adoption, which is near and dear to my heart. I hope you all enjoy it!

  • Kera Bell
    November 22, 2023 at 4:36 pm Reply

    I have never visited the great Smoky Mountains. I would like to visit every state. I do like stories about adoption because it means the child was chosen specifically. I love historical fiction so I am looking forward to reading the book. I don’t have any questions for Michelle.

    • Michelle Shocklee
      November 25, 2023 at 11:26 am Reply

      Kera,

      I too love stories about adoption. I have a lot of adopted people, adoptive parents, and a birth mother in my life, and they were my inspiration for the book. I hope you enjoy Songbird’s story.

      ~Michelle

  • Teresa A Moyer
    November 22, 2023 at 2:48 pm Reply

    Living on the west coast I have never been to the Smokey mountians. The pictures I have seen are so beautiful. I was introduced to novels about the Appalachia people from another fiction writer and I loved stories set there. So I am looking forward to reading another novel in this setting. I also love split time stories too. This book will be added to my want to read list.

    • Deena Adams
      November 25, 2023 at 11:03 am Reply

      Hi, Teresa. I hope you get to visit the Smoky Mountains one of these days. It’s such a beautiful location. Michelle’s book sounds good, doesn’t it? I can’t wait to read it.

    • Michelle Shocklee
      November 25, 2023 at 11:17 am Reply

      Teresa,

      I do hope you can visit the Smokies someday. Their beauty is so unique. If you get a chance to read the book, I do hope you enjoy it!

      ~Michelle

  • Perrianne Askew
    November 22, 2023 at 1:53 pm Reply

    We just returned frim the Great Smoky Mountains in October and really had a fantastic time! The views are incredible and we were privledged to see some bears! The old cabins really make you realize how simple life was back then. I can’t imagine trying to stay warm in winter! The churches with cemetaries were interesting and you could trace some of the family lineage there. The most interesting things were the coins left on soldiers graves. Each coin represented something about the person who left the coin. I don’t remember specifically which coins but one represented someone who was there when they passed away, someone who served in the military with them, etc. I really love a dual timeline, so I look forward to reading it when I get the chance. I also enjoyed the interview and appreciate the fact that you take a year to write one. Your research really enhances your setting!

    • Michelle Shocklee
      November 25, 2023 at 11:28 am Reply

      Perrianne,

      Thank you for your encouraging words. I love research! I love learning new things and incorporating them into my books. I hope you enjoy Appalachian Song when you get a chance to read it.

      ~Michelle

  • Sandy Avery
    November 22, 2023 at 10:40 am Reply

    I enjoyed your interview! I haven’t visited the Smoky Mountains but the setting and this story sound great. It’s already on my list to read soon.

    • Michelle Shocklee
      November 25, 2023 at 11:20 am Reply

      Steven,

      Thank you for your encouraging words. I’m not so sure about my wisdom … 😉 … but God has a way of putting his truths in us as we mature in Him. I hope you enjoy reading my books.

      ~Michelle

  • Roxanne C.
    November 22, 2023 at 9:38 am Reply

    I have never been to the Great Smoky Mountains, but they are a favorite place setting. Appalachian Song sounds amazing, and it is on my wishlist of books to read.

    • Deena Adams
      November 25, 2023 at 11:07 am Reply

      Hi, Priscilla. I don’t think you could compliment an author more than with your excitement as you look forward to her next book. Michelle’s writing definitley draws readers in and brings us back for more!

    • Michelle Shocklee
      November 25, 2023 at 11:24 am Reply

      Hi Priscilla,

      Thank you so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed Songbird’s story. I’m exicted to share my next book with readers in Fall 2024! I should have a cover & title to reveal in the near future! =D

      ~Michelle

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