There comes a point in the writing process where writers must take a crucial step. It is the scariest thing for authors. It feels a little terrifying—maybe even paralyzing. In this candid interview, author Paulette D. Marshall opens up about the heart behind her Christian Historical Western Romance, the risks she’s taken, and one bold step that changed everything.
Paulette D Marshall’s Book & Writing Process
Table of Contents
Q: What is the title of your book and what is it about?
A: Mail-Order Freighter. Helena is being bullied and threatened. There is no one to help her. Isaac has a feeling that God is leading him somewhere to help someone. But where.
Ooh, I love that sense of mystery and divine timing right out of the gate. Helena and Isaac already sound like characters I want to root for!
Publication date: July 3, 2026
Q: What genre is your book?
A: Christian Historical Western Romance
Q: What inspired you to write your book, and how did you come up with the idea for it?
A: God gave me this story. The name came to me and the story as I started writing.
There’s something so beautiful about receiving a story like a gift. I love how you followed the nudge with a willing heart.
Q: Who is the ideal reader for this book?
A: Anyone
Sometimes the right story finds exactly who needs it, no labels required.
Q: Share a favorite quote or two from this book.
As he took out the last of the pins and started brushing, she said. “That feels good. Have you brushed a woman’s hair before?”
“No, but I have bushed many horses. It can’t be that different,” Isaac assured her.
This made me giggle. Isaac’s honesty is golden—and hilarious!
Q: Are you a plotter, pantser, or plantser?
A: definitely pantser. I start by praying about the book and asking God to tell me what He wants me to write.
That’s such a beautiful way to write—with trust, prayer, and God leading the way.
Q: Can you share an instance where real-life events inspired your writing?
A: I do slip in a few real-life events or write about someone I personally know, but I change their names.
I love that! Real life has a way of sneaking into fiction—those little touches make stories feel so authentic.
Q: Have you been able to incorporate your previous experience in your jobs/education into your writing?
A: Yes, all the time.
That’s a gift—our pasts have so many hidden stories tucked inside them, waiting to bloom on the page.
Q: How do you deal with perfectionism?
A: Ouch, that is a hard one. I am a perfectionist, but with writing, I don’t think it will ever be perfect. I try to do the best I can.
Yes! Your honesty is so relatable. Sometimes giving our best has to be enough, and often, it really is.
Q: What types of questions do you ask when planning a new book?
A: When I sign up for books with multiple authors, I try to find out all the information I can before I think about joining the group, and I only join if I love the book idea. Sometimes the story will start to form, and I jot down a note about that idea.
That’s such a thoughtful way to approach it—curiosity first, then heart-led decisions.
Q: How do you prevent yourself from over-editing?
A: I send my book off to a wonderful editor whom I trust.
That kind of trust is worth gold. A good editor who gets your voice and understands your story is like a good friend to the story.
Q: How do you handle moments when inspiration seems hard to find?
A: I sometimes take a step back and take a couple of days off or longer. Sometimes, if there is enough time before the story is released, I pick up another story to write and then come back to it.
Giving the story space to breathe is such a wise approach. We need to be patient with our inspiration. It always finds its way back.
Q: How important are book reviews?
A: They are very important, but I have to remind myself that there are people out there who just love to give bad reviews and thrive off of hurting others. All I can do is pray for them and try not to let it get to me, even though it does. I do try to go back to the book and see if there is anything I can change or fix.
That’s such a gracious and grounded perspective. Negative reviews can be painful, but the way you respond—with prayer and reflection—is admirable.
Q: What was the most challenging aspect of writing and publishing? How did you (do you plan to) overcome it?
A: There are a lot of challenging parts. I guess rejection/ bad reviews. I spend many hours every day on each story. Sometimes a couple of months. Most books take a month to write.
That kind of commitment deserves to be seen. It’s hard to put your heart on the page, but so powerful when you do.
Q: How do you use social media as an author?
A: I just try to share my books. If I am honest, I don’t do a very good job.
Honestly, showing up and sharing from the heart is more than enough. Readers feel your sincerity.
Q: When you’re writing an emotional or difficult scene, how do you set the mood?
A: Sometimes with music and different types of music. I listen to Christian contemporary, sometimes I listen to instrumental music, and sometimes no music at all.
I love how you let the story lead the soundtrack—it’s like you’re tuning into the emotion before the words even come.
Q: Have you ever resuscitated a project you’d shelved? What helped it work better the second time around?
A: Not yet. I have many unfinished projects on my computer that I would love to finish. I just need to find the time.
They’ll wait for you. Stories have a way of being ready right when we are.
Q: How do you balance the demands of writing with other responsibilities?
A: It’s a hard balance, and sometimes I fail.
We all do. And still, you keep going, and that’s what matters most.
Writing Advice from Paulette D Marshall
Q: What risks have you taken with your writing that have paid off?
A: I write Bible verses in my stories. I know a lot of people don’t like but I feel led to put them in there.
I also put verses in my stories. It takes courage to write what you’re called to write, and it is one of the most powerful things we can do as authors.
Q: If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
A: Write what you love.
Simple, strong, and 100% true. That advice never goes out of style.
Q: What would you say to an author who wanted to design their own cover?
A: I have never designed my own cover. I wish I could. That is something I would like to learn.
Curiosity is a creative spark. Who knows what might come from exploring it?
Q: What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
A: A computer.
Our most essential writing companion! It really is the gateway to all our stories.
Q: What do you need in your writing space to help you stay focused?
A: Just my computer.
Sometimes that’s all it takes: the tools and the time to get the words flowing.
Q: If you had to do something differently as a child or teenager to become a better writer as an adult, what would you do?
A: Get help for my dyslexia, but back then, no one had a clue. They said I wasn’t trying hard enough.
That’s sad. You’ve come a long way, and your voice is all the stronger for it.
Q: Do you celebrate milestones? How important do you believe it is for authors to celebrate when they meet their goals or hit milestones?
A: Yes, I do celebrate milestones. But in simple ways. We have a nice home-cooked meal or take a drive. Sometimes, I dance around the room to celebrate.
That image of you dancing to celebrate? Hilarious! Milestones deserve to be honored.
Just for Fun
Q: If you could have dinner with any fictional character, who would it be and why?
A: I would love to sit down with Tilly McAllister. She is a strong, independent female who can outshoot any man and outride them. I would love to just chat with her. Miss Tilly comes out in December of this year.
Tilly’s Mischievous Adventures. There was so much I didn’t get to write about her, at least not yet. I would love to learn more about her.
Tilly sounds like a firecracker. What a fantastic dinner that would be.
Q: What is your favorite book and why?
A: I have multiple favorite books. But only clean, Christian books. I don’t read anything else.
There’s something comforting and uplifting about knowing exactly what feeds your soul as a reader.
Q: If you were not a writer, what would you want to be and why?
A: It would be something creative like drawing, painting or playing the piano.
That creative energy runs deep. I’m sure readers recognize it flowing through your stories, too.
Q: What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done for fun?
A: The scariest thing I have done was put my books out there in the world. Some people love them. The reviews are sometimes scary or rejection. But I write these books for myself, my family, and my loved ones.
Yes! Putting your work into the world is one of the bravest things a writer can do. And you’ve done it with heart.
Q: If your characters hosted a dinner party, who would cause the most chaos and why?
A: Boris. He is a big bully and wants what others have. After he acquired it, he’d want something else. I think Tilly, from a different book, would be able to hold her own with Boris.
Oh, now that would be a table I’d want to watch: Tilly versus Boris? Sparks would fly!
Q: What’s your writing kryptonite—the one thing that can completely derail your progress?
A: My granddaughter. When she wants someone to color with her, play a game, or read with. Time is short, and it flies faster than we think. She will only be young once.
Aww. That’s the best kind of interruption. Those moments are the genuine stories we’ll carry with us forever.
Q: What’s a random fact you learned while researching your book that you can’t stop telling people?
A: So many different facts. Some facts I put in my Author Notes in the back of the book they are in.
Love that! I enjoy reading author notes. They feel like a peek beyond the curtain at the author’s process, and give more insights into the story and inspiration.
Q: If your keyboard could talk, what would it say about your writing habits?
A: My fingers move faster than my mind sometimes.
Lol. Now that’s the sign of a story that’s ready to leap out—your keyboard’s just trying to keep up!
Let’s Connect with Paulette D Marshall
Q: What are you working on next?
A: I have several things I am working on. I’m finishing up a book that will be released on November 5, Military Christmas Kisses. It is a contemporary love story.
Then I will start on a book that comes out in January. If I have time, I will work on one of my time-traveling books that is finished, but it needs to be reread and polished up some before I send it to the editors.
So much to look forward to! I’m especially intrigued by the time travel one—sounds like an adventure waiting to happen.
About Mail-Order Freighter
A desperate woman. A reluctant hero. A marriage born of honor—and shadowed by danger.
Newly widowed, and not by accident, Helena is desperate and afraid. The man who keeps trying to buy the mercantile and freighter business she ran with her husband won’t be satisfied until he gets them—and her. She’s refused until now but won’t be able to for much longer. There’s not a soul to help her, and she’s not even sure if the letter she sent with a plea for help will be answered. How can she keep herself safe?
Isaac has been feeling restless. He’s not sure his life’s purpose is to continue to be a ranch hand, but he likes his boss, is friends with him. So, when his boss and his wife ask him to do a favor—one that not only will give him a change of scenery, but potentially a dangerous adventure—he says yes, not fully realizing what he’s getting into.
After accidentally putting Helena into a compromising position, there’s only one thing Isaac can do. Marry her. But when he does, it will paint a giant target on his back, and Helena will never forgive herself if something happens to him when the man after her pays a call.
About Paulette D Marshall
I write clean, Christian fiction where adventure, faith, and love intertwine—mostly historical romance, but also contemporary, suspense, western, and time travel. My heroines are strong, clever, and full of heart.
I live in Northern California with my husband and three Shih Tzus, and we’re blessed to have a granddaughter nearby who visits often.
Connect with Paulette D Marshall on her Website | Author Central | Facebook | Reader Group
