Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Author Vonda Skelton - Seeing Through the Lies

Today, we're talking with Vonda Skelton, author of the nonfiction book Seeing Through the Lies.

Welcome, Vonda. You are writing nonfiction. Do you also write fiction?

Oh, yes! As a matter of fact, my first two books are children’s mysteries. And how I got from children’s mysteries to women’s non-fiction is a mystery to me! Well, not really. ;-)

What would you like for our readers to know about you personally?

Hmmm. You mean besides the fact that I’d rather do almost anything than clean house and iron? Other women’s book authors have written about being domestic divas. I’m the Diva of the Domestically Disadvantaged. But I’m not sure I want your readers to know that. Instead, I want them to know that I’m so very thankful that God can take my messes in life and use them for His glory!

I know what you mean. Tell us about your family.

I’m blessed to have a wonderful family. My husband, Gary, and I have been married for almost 39 years. He is the love of my life, although it took me about 15 years to realize it. It took almost losing him for me to see what I had! We have two beautiful daughters, Christina and Nicole, two handsome sons-in-laws, Todd and Steve, and four grandchildren. Garrett (12), Ellie (9), Cole (6), and Mallory (3) take the sting out of growing older, plus they give me an endless supply of stories! We’re family who loves to laugh and play together. And we have the scars to prove it!

Have you written other nonfiction books?

This is my first non-fiction book, but I’ve written for magazines for years. I’m also an RN, so most of my articles have been about health, but I also write about marriage, parenting, and relationships. I’ve had the privilege of writing for Focus on the Family publications, HomeLife, Christian Single, and many others. (Yes, I’m a 57-year-old grandmother of four and I write for Christian Single. Does that qualify as fiction?)

I can't even remember my single life it was so long ago, or maybe I just don't want to remember. What other books have you written, and where can the readers of the blog find them?

My three-book children’s series is called The Bitsy Burroughs Mysteries. Bitsy is a 12-year-old tomboy with a good heart who just can’t seem to keep herself out of trouble, especially when it comes to solving mysteries. The first book is Bitsy and the Mystery at Tybee Island, which was followed by Bitsy and the Mystery at Amelia Island. The third in the series, Bitsy and the Mystery at Hilton Head Island, will be released in April. The hardest part about writing the series is how to continue to get this poor pre-teen girl to all these cool islands! The books are all available at Amazon.com and most online bookstores. For signed, personalized copies, they can order them at my website, www.VondaSkelton.com.

Do you have any other books in the works right now?

It’s funny you should ask that. My agent and I had a long brainstorming session just this week about the next non-fiction book. All I know so far is that it’ll be another book that uses humor to help women laugh, learn, and grow. And I’m in the “mulling” stages of a new book for kids.

Where on the Internet can the readers find you?

Thanks for asking, Lena. You can always reach me at my website, www.VondaSkelton.com. There, they’ll find information on my books, my speaking ministry to women, and on writing instruction. The homepage features The Christian Writer’s Den, a weekly blog about writing. There is also an area for kids called, Bitsy’s World, where kids can read excerpts from the Bitsy books and enter contests. I have two pages on Shoutlife.com (Youth Books and Christian Living), a page on CelebrateMoms.org, and a page on PinkCollarClub.net.

You're all over the Net. What kinds of hobbies and leisure activities do you enjoy?

I hate to admit it, but if I’m playing anything, it’s probably not considered a leisure activity. I guess you could say I’m a bit on the competitive side. It doesn’t matter if I’m playing Uno or Pigtail, or if I’m leg wrestling or racing, I want to win! But I’m very nice about it, of course. But the thing I enjoy the most—every single night—is reading. My nightstand is always covered with books. Like the saying goes, “So many books; so little time.”



Why did you write the featured book?

This book was written out of my passion for women’s ministry. We—not just women, but all of us —are deceived by so many lies! They are woven throughout today’s culture. I wanted to help us get focused, or in some cases, refocused, on the timeless truths of God’s Word. I knew I could reach many more women through a book than I ever could reach through my speaking ministry. So, I started with the key points from my Celebrating Womanhood presentation, where we look at the seasons of a woman’s life and come to the conclusion that God can use each of us, no matter our age or situation. After several revisions and rethinking the needs of women, Seeing Through the Lies was born.

What do you want the reader to take away from the book?

I hope that after women read my book they’ll realize that Satan works hard to make us believe his lies, but this is what God wants you to know:
· Your worth is not dependent on your beauty, your busyness, or your stuff.
· A happy marriage is one that endures.
· Motherhood is an honorable profession.
· God has the power to overcome your fear.
· You win when you lose.
· Your life won’t be perfect until you reach perfection in heaven.
· You can’t win God’s love because of your goodness, and you can’t lose His love because of your sin.
And that, dear sisters, is the truth.

Thank you, Vonda, for spending this time with us.

Readers, you'll want to visit her web site to find out more about her ministry.

And you'll want to leave a comment, but for a different reason from usual. When you leave a comment, you'll have a chance to win a special gift basket. Not only does it contain a copy of the book, it's filled with many other goodies.

If you don't want to miss a single post on this blog, sign up for FeedBlitz under my profile.

28 comments:

Vonda Skelton said...

Hi Lena--Thank you so much for allowing me to visit your site! I hope your readers will take advantage of this great prize package and leave a comment. I had so much fun putting it together!

Also, if you'd like a good laugh, I hope you'll check out my YouTube video of Solomon's Beloved. She's a little vignette from one of my speaking programs. I promise the program has a lot of serious stuff in it to draw us closer to the Lord, but this little excerpt breaks the ice well...;-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEmhI8FL_ZI

Hope you all have a great week!
Blessings,
Vonda
www.VondaSkelton.com

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for featuring this author and her book! It looks really good and I have been wanting to get a hold of a copy. Please count me in for the drawing! Thanks.
author_Erin(at)lycos(dot)com

Anonymous said...

this sounds like such a great book and what a fun prize!
I loved your You Tube video! thanks for sharing :)

windycindy said...

She seems to have a zest for life! It is catching. Her books sounds marvelous. Thanks for the interview. Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Stacey said...

Please count me in the drawing. This book sounds like just what I need. Thanks.

stacey_dale[at]yahoo[dot]com

Anonymous said...

Oh, wonderful interview. I'd love to win this book. I like reading non-fiction as well as fiction. Must keep a balance.

Carolynn said...

Sounds like a book every woman should read! I look forward to doing so:)

Carolynn said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Carolynn said...

Vonda,
I just watched the Youtube video of Solomon's Beloved. I laughed so hard I cried! Thanks for the fun:)

Donna said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Donna said...

Please enter me in the drawing. The video she mentions is great. I would love to read this book.
runninmama at sbcglobal dot net

anne said...

What a wonderful interview. Interesting and fascinating book which is wonderful reading. Thanks for this giveaway.
rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

Dawn Michelle Michals said...

Sounds like a great read!

Dawn :o)

ChristyJan said...

Hi Vonda,

It seems like everywhere you go I seem to follow.

Cherie J said...

Enjoyed the interview! Sounds like a really good book.

pamela said...

Hi Lena!
You have a wonderful site here! If any one hasn't visited Vonda's website yet-please take advantage of the first chapter of her new book!
It's awesome ladies!

Please visit me :)

Grateful Gramma said...

Count me in please.

Ginnie

Rowena said...

Hey I would love to win that book as it sounds good and I am glad that I read youru blog

Karin said...

Your children's books sound great. I'll have to check into them.

Vonda Skelton said...

Hi Friends!

I wrote a note last night, but either I hit the wrong button or the internet burped right at that moment--and either one is a distinct possibility!

But I do want to thank you all for your kind words and encouragement. It is my prayer that this book will encourage women everywhere, from every walk of life and at every stage of life. If we could see through those lies Satan tries to deceive us with, it could make a such a difference in our lives, our families, and the world!

You know, Jesus called Satan the Father of Lies and Satan told the mother of all lies when he said we could be like God. We can't. But praise Him, we can depend on His righteousness to make us acceptable to Him, regardless of what we've done!

So many times we're deceived into thinking God can't use us because of our sin. That's a lie! Did you know that in Matthew 1, there are only four women listed in the lineage of Jesus--Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba? A seducer, a prostitute, an idol worshiper, and an adulterer. If God can use those four women, don't you think He can use us?

Oh, ladies, I pray we'll always remember that we can't win God's love because of our goodness, and we can't lose His love because of our sin.

Okay, I'm off my soapbox now. ;-)
But I do want you to be encouraged in who you are in Him!

Oh, and I'd be honored to visit by speaker phone with any women's group that uses Seeing Through the Lies as a group study. It's so much fun!

I pray God's blessing as you bless others...
Vonda
www.VondaSkelton.com

Norma said...

The book sounds great and so does the prize! I would love to win!

luv2read said...

THis book sounds very relevant for todays christian woman. I enjoyed hearing that Vonda has been married 39 years, makes me want to get the book even more.

tetewa said...

What a great giveaway! tWarner419@aol.com

Anonymous said...

Hi Norma, luv2read, and tetewa...

Thank you for your kind words about my book. I do hope you'll read it and use it in your women's study groups. It's a great tool for helping women share the struggles and successes in today's world.

And I can't believe it's time for the prize package to leave my office. It's been sitting by my desk for a month now and I'm gonna miss it! It's so pretty!

Thank you all for making me feel so welcome. I'd love to hear from you!

Blessings,
Vonda
www.VondaSkelton.com

Lena Nelson Dooley said...

Donna Moore, you are the person chosen from this group to be in the drawing for the gift basket. Here's hoping you're the final winner.

Tarasview said...

oh I would love to read this book!
taradawnrobertson at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I would like to read this book. Please enter me in the contest.

Thanks!

Angela said...

I'd love to have a copy.. summer break is coming up and I'd love to have some new books to keep me occupied!