Tour and Giveaway for Finding Common Ground: by Robynne Elizabeth Miller & Marilyn Siden

About the Book

Book: Finding Common Ground: One Octogenarian’s Quest to Help Our Nation Heal

Author: Robynne Elizabeth Miller & Marilyn Siden

Genre: Narrative Nonfiction/Memoir

Release date: April 2, 2021

Because she’d had enough. Enough anger. Enough hatred. Enough division.

Marilyn Siden has lived through much: the aftermath of World War II, Korea, and the horror of Vietnam. She’s navigated good political administrations and struggling ones, a thriving economy and want. Her eight decades of experience living in the US have shown her the best America has to offer and, unfortunately, the worst. But she never thought America would become a place of vitriol and despair.

So, she decided to do something about it.

Through a series of epic journeys across America, Marilyn discovered what she was after: practical advice on how to help our nation heal.

But she found something she wasn’t expecting . . . something far more powerful.

Marilyn found our common ground.

Click here to get your copy!











Interview Questions 
Finding Common Ground
Robynne Elizabeth Miller 

What tactics do you have when writing? Do you just sit down and start writing? Or have an outline plan before?

Francine Rivers once told me how she writes her fiction … she wrestles with a question that is pressing on her in a fictional setting. That resonated with me, and I now use it whether I am writing fiction or nonfiction. Every time I start to develop a book idea, I form a central question and then compile a list of arguments for and against, or questions I would want answered in a book on the subject, or mysteries surrounding the topic … or all of the above. I want readers to be satisfied with both the question and the answer, as well as the thorough research supporting the exploration. 

Once I have those questions, I do a mighty lot of research, which often uncovers new questions and discoveries. From that material, I work out a rough outline that logically moves through the body of research. From that rough outline, I begin to write. 

What do you hope readers will take away from this story?

That we all can, and should, be making a difference in our own corner of the world. Changing the atmosphere of America doesn’t require a large platform, lots of money, or some big plan. It can be as simple as meeting your neighbors, picking up some garbage at a nearby park, or teaching your children to respect others, no matter how similar or different they are. 

And if an 80-year-old can do it … you surely can! 

What marketing strategies have borne the most fruit for you? 

If you think of marketing at establishing a relationship with and serving your audience, you will go a long way. Marketing shouldn’t be able clever advertising or endless hours on social media. Simply respect and serve your audience and the “marketing” will take care of itself. It’s all about relationship. 

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned through years of writing?

That words have power. To heal … to hurt … to inform. And it’s a writer’s responsibility to use them well. 

What is something memorable you have heard from your readers/fans?

The books I’ve written about the real-life people who Laura Ingalls Wilder included in her Little House books have reaped some wonderful comments, the best of which is “I feel closer to that time and those people via the research and work you have done and artfully crafted into a book for true fans.” 

What book that you have read has most influenced your life?

The obvious answer for me is the bible. Life-changing for this girl who grew up with zero faith background. But from a literary perspective, The Chosen by Chaim Potok, the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, and David Copperfield by Charles Dickens have informed many of my thoughts about life as well as about writing. 

What do you know now that you wish you'd known at the beginning of your writing/publishing journey?

If someone had told me, ten books ago, that the world is a wide place and you can’t write for and please everyone, I would never have tried to do so. And everyone would have been happier. 😊 

If I review one of your books, what do you want to read from me? 

That I cared deeply about the subject, did my research thoroughly, and presented the story/information in a warm and interesting way. 

Your favorite pastime or hobby?

Not unsurprisingly, I love many things from the pioneer period, especially related to food. I smoke meats, can fruits and vegetables, make breads from scratch (no recipe or measurements), use pioneer techniques in culturing butter and milk and cheese, and even make my own vinegar. Pioneer methods of food preservation mesmerize me. And food from scratch just tastes so much better. 

Give us 6 things your readers may not know about you? 

I’ve lived in England for about ten years of my life.
I have a lovely brood of biological and adopted-from-the-foster-care-system children
I’ve led worship teams at churches in both the UK and the US
I have traveled to about 30 countries, including Russia, Malta, and Hungary
I was hit head-on by a drunk driver in Scotland and was never supposed to speak or communicate well again due to a head injury that erased much of my memory, including about a year and a half just after the crash.
That I am an extroverted introvert. I love people, and am very comfortable speaking and teaching. But I am actually pretty shy. People who don’t know me well never suspect, but it’s very, very true.

About the Authors

Robynne Elizabeth Miller is wife to an amazing Brit and mother to a glorious brood of adopted and biological kids. Her adventures have led her to over twenty-five countries, from Malta to Russia, and she’s lived about a quarter of her life in the English countryside. She currently makes her home in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, spending much of her time telling locals they don’t need to apologize for the rain.

With dozens of articles, essays, and blog posts to her credit, as well as eight books and collaborations on several more, she’s put her B.A. from Westmont College and her Master of Fine Arts in Creative Nonfiction & Fiction from Ashland University to good use She’s an experienced speaker, editor, and writing coach, and teaches regularly at conferences and writer’s workshops. She currently serves as President and Director of Leadership of Inspire Christian Writers and hosts The Art of Semi-Fiction podcast, where she explores every corner of the written word.

On quieter days, Robynne can be found meandering back roads with her family, cooking up some grand adventure with her friends, singing at the top of her lungs, or making bacon from scratch.

Marilyn Siden is blessed with a wonderful family—four grown children, twelve beautiful, talented, Godly grandchildren, and an amazing husband.

More from Robynne and Marilyn

Hello Dear Readers!

Feeling a little discouraged about the state of our nation today? Convinced you have no hope of being part of the solution?

Good news!

Not only are you ABLE to be a part of helping to heal our nation, but you are both called AND equipped to do so, right where you are. No matter your skillset or resources, you can start being a light for Jesus right now. And that light, however small you perceive it to be, WILL shine in these dark times.

Taking this journey at nearly 80 and crossing the country in search of practical solutions to start reversing the hatred and hurt blanketing our nation was challenging.

But it was worth it, too.

Not only is the book filled with stories of hope and encouragement, it’s filled with practical steps we can all take to start healing hurts, restoring our communities, building a safer future for our children, and bringing light back to our nation.

Are you ready?

We are standing on common ground!