I first met Heather Blanton at the International Christian Film Festival in Orlando, where she conducted a memorable interview with actor Rusty Joiner (who plays Andrew in my TV series, These Stones) and me. Her thoughtful questions and enthusiasm helped spread the word about our show.
Heather is the author of the bestselling Defiance series, known for its strong, faith-filled heroines and richly drawn frontier settings. With her passion for history, faith, and fearless women of the West, Heather continues to inspire readers and audiences alike.
I hope you enjoy my Q&A with her!
1. You recently partnered with Beautifully Flawed Productions, alongside Shari Rigby and Claire Yorita Lee, to bring A Lady in Defiance to life as an audio drama. What was that process like for you—hearing your characters voiced and your world re-imagined in a new medium?
I was sitting in a Food Lion parking lot when Shari and Claire sent me some videos of the recording sessions. It was amazing and brought tears to my eyes. I released A Lady in Defiance in 2012. The script and book have been optioned three times. My hopes have been sky high–and dashed to pieces. Finally, I knew when I signed with Shari and Claire, the right people had the project. Their passion for A Lady in Defiance equals mine and the recordings–hearing actors say lines I wrote–floored me with gratitude. Someone believes in this story as much as I do. I am humbled, grateful, and blown away by God’s faithfulness!
2. I have no doubt what attracted Beautifully Flawed Productions to your Defiance series is that you write women with true grit. What do you find most compelling about writing female characters like that, and how do you balance historical accuracy with appealing to modern-day readers?
There’s a lot to unpack in that question. You’ve probably heard it said that well-behaved women seldom make history. The phrase “well-behaved” can create an argument, but what it means to me is that women who can’t break free from stereotypes or cultural expectations don’t change the world. That’s proven over and over again when you look back at America’s history.
I’m proud to say I am not a feminist. I embrace my femininity. That doesn’t make me a victim. And the women who helped settle and build this country would most likely tell you the same thing.
What’s compelling about writing characters like them–strong-willed, determined, courageous–is the simple fact that they do more than they ever thought they could, simply because they have to. Men saw the challenge of the frontier and lunged into the midst of it. The women most often went grudgingly, but once there, they withstood the challenges.
I hope my characters speak to modern women by showing them they don’t have to sacrifice femininity for success. They are stronger than they know, even though they are different from men. Yes, we are the weaker vessel, physically, but that makes our triumphs even sweeter.
As far as balancing historical accuracy, I write Christian historical fiction. I attempt to do so in an immersive, unapologetic manner, meaning I don’t whitewash the story to meet modern standards. I may use terms that offend some people. Squaw, for example.
I try to never do anything gratuitously. It makes me crazy when authors and screenwriters shove stuff down our throats. Challenging, gritty material must be genuine and serve the story, or it doesn’t belong in the story. Sort of like the Bible, if I may use that example. The Bible covers a lot of mature subject matter, but it is also not graphic. And it’s there for a reason.
I tell my readers my filter is Gunsmoke. Gritty, real, a little raw, but tasteful.
3. You’ve written not only full-length novels but also shorter works and novellas, like In Time For Christmas: a Time Travel Western Romance. How does your approach differ when crafting a sweeping series arc versus telling a more compact, standalone story?
I suppose there’s a deep, academic answer to that question, but for me–I simply look at the story, asses what I want the audience to feel or see immediately, and be impacted by the most, and that’s what gets written. For example, In Time for Christmas opens in the midst of domestic abuse. A slap, and then Charlene sees stars, feels the pain rocket through her head, followed by the cool of the Italian marble floor beneath her cheek. This is her life.
From there, readers can fill in many blanks about a scene or situation that description is, again, kept to a minimum, but focused on what is the most impactful. Readers don’t mind using their minds…as long as I’m not being a lazy writer.
In a full-length novel, I paint more of the scene for the reader, spell out more things, do more of the work of imagining for them. I would call it a “welcome to my world” type of writing as opposed to the “go with me on this” style for novellas and short stories. Just as fun but a different kind of challenge.
4. Your books often weave faith into rugged, even dangerous settings. Have there been moments where your own personal faith journey directly influenced a character’s turning point or plot twist?
Short answer: multiple times. The theme behind A Lady in Defiance is trusting God when He doesn’t make sense. I wrote that story after my sister passed away from breast cancer and I had a lot of grief to work through. She had been a faithful, Godly woman most of her life and she never let go the Lord. Her faith and trust was unshakable. That helped me tremendously in my writing.
There’s also a moment when Naomi (A Lady in Defiance) is dealing with a mean prank some prostitutes have pulled on her. They put gum in her hair, requiring her to cut off her locks. Her sister admonishes her to look past the stunt and see the two prostitutes as children whom the Lord loves. Well, the gum situation actually happened to me in high school!
The book Locket Full of Love came from a time when I judged a situation and the people involved without having all the details. So, yes, I weave lots of life experiences (and lessons-hopefully-learned) into my stories.
5. You’ve built a loyal readership in a niche genre—faith-based historical Western romance. What advice would you give to writers trying to stand out in a crowded market while staying true to their voice and vision and what are some of the ways you built your faithful audience?
Be honest and sincere with your readers. Write lots of different stories, but always be true to your worldview and your inner-voice. That way, the audience never has to fear what might be lurking in your book. Also, it took me a while to believe that my readers are interested in me. They like me. Most of them, anyway, and they’re truly curious to hear some details about my life. God bless them, they are praying for my Marine son Whit, or asking how Wyatt is doing up at Carolina. They want to know about my weekend wood working projects, and how the animals are fairing on the farm. They really care. Much to my amazement. So, the lesson there is share the personal details. It makes friends out of your readers!
6. Favorite character you’ve written:
Penelope Jones is my favorite character, hands down. Simply because she was the most fun to write, and she was inspired by two mountain women I knew growing up in WNC. She’s a little bit Ellie Mae Clampett, a little bit Calamity Jane, and a little bit my two neighbors who could toss their husbands down the mountain when they had to “discipline” them! Usually, moonshine was involved.
7. What’s next for you? Other works in progress?
I have a lot going on. Beautifully Flawed Productions optioned the script for A Lady in Defiance, as well as the six books in the series. They’ve just finished turning ALID into a dramatized podcast with the goal of turning the book into a limited TV series. They also optioned my book Defiant Ones, a collection of stories about American women who did amazing things to help settle this country. Their goal is to create a dramatized podcast based on some of the women from the Revolutionary War-era.
I’m also writing a new book–a Western based on Esther, editing one, outlining two for release in 2026, working out the details for a collaboration with another screenwriter, and finishing off a write-for-hire script about an underdog sports team.
Where can people follow you?
I encourage people to sign up for my newsletter at https://bit.ly/3VCRDMW
Heather’s Amazon Author Central Page
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/heather-blanton
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heatherfreyblanton/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/authorheatherblanton/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorheatherblanton
Heather’s passion for history and faith shines through in every word she writes, and now in the ways she’s expanding into audio drama and beyond. Our conversation reminded me why readers connect so deeply with her heroines—because they reflect real courage, real struggle, and real hope. But also how they can connect with the author as well.
She’s a storyteller who doesn’t just entertain; she invites you to step into a world where grit and grace meet. I can’t wait to see what new frontiers Heather will conquer next.
Would you like to support the production of A Lady in Defiance?
I have and I hope you will consider doing so as well.
Visit this link to make a donation.
Your donation to “A Lady In Defiance” is not just producing an audiobook; Beautifully Flawed Productions in cooperation with The Women in my World are help creating a movement. Your contribution provides meaningful employment for talented Christian women (and men!) in entertainment, funding high-quality, professional-grade production, and bringing Naomi, Rebecca, and Hannah’s powerful story to life in ways that will resonate with hearts around the world.
I personally am excited about this move toward audio dramas and hope to dive into that myself.
Thanks for taking the time to read my blog today with Heather Blanton.
Cheryl McKay (Screenwriter/Book Author) 